This subgoal is fundamental to ensuring that the project runs smoothly. It covers project coordination and internal and external communication. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is responsible for the project's overall coordination and acts as the central point of contact for all partners in the project and network. Timetables and milestones are monitored and agreed here. Another focus is public relations. This includes the project website, social media activities, and organising events ranging from workshops and research meetings to a public final conference in 2028.

Key activities:

• Organisation and management of the project
• Coordination of collaboration between partners
• Communication of results and progress
• Development of a visual project identity
• Planning and implementation of events

Phytoplankton (microalgae) play a central role in assessing the ecological status of the Baltic Sea. This subgoal aims to improve the monitoring of these organisms and to enhance the knowledge on how they can be used as indicators for the health of the Baltic Sea. To this end, existing datasets will be consolidated and harmonised to reveal long-term trends. Additionally, cross-border sampling protocols will be developed, and a user network will be established that also involves stakeholders outside the scientific community. Pilot studies will test new methods, such as camera-based systems and eDNA analyses, and evaluate them seasonally.

Key activities:

• Consolidation and evaluation of existing data
• Development of a standardised sampling protocol
• Establishment of a cross-border network
• Testing of innovative monitoring methods
• Assessment of the indicator function of phytoplankton

The results will be incorporated into a report containing recommendations for policymakers.

Focus of results: Improving environmental monitoring through biological indicators.

The focus of this subgoal is the development and testing of new, cost-effective environmental monitoring systems for the western Baltic Sea. The aim is to record environmental parameters such as nutrient concentrations, temperature and oxygen levels at high temporal resolution. Compared to conventional monitoring programmes, this allows for a much more detailed assessment of the ecological status. One example of such technology is the planktoscope: a compact, open-source sensor capable of automatically detecting and analysing microalgae. This is being further developed within the RECOVER project in collaboration with subgoal 2, with the aim of not only delivering results in the laboratory, but also enabling measurements to be taken on ships whilst underway, with a constant flow of water.

Key activities:

• Analysis of available, cost-effective sensor systems
• Development and combination of new measurement methods
• Construction and testing of prototypes
• Integration of data into analytical and modelling approaches.

The aim is to improve the basis of data for environmental assessments and management decisions.

The effectiveness of measures to restore ecosystems largely depend on their social acceptance. This subgoal examines how such measures are perceived by different stakeholder groups. The main stakeholder groups that will be included are from the agricultural sector and from the local general public. This approach considers the fact that much of the discharge into the sea originates on land, suggesting that corresponding measures must be undertaken on a cross-sectoral basis. A particular focus is placed on comparing governance  approaches in Germany and Denmark.

Key activities:

• Conducting interviews with relevant stakeholder groups
• Data collection on environmental perceptions and issues in the public
• Comparing different policy strategies and governance approaches
• Identification of successful practical examples

The results will be presented in various formats and will inform recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.

The aim is to improve understanding and acceptance of environmental measures.

This subgoal involves the development of first steps towards a digital twin of the south-western Baltic Sea. The aim is to use data, models, and artificial intelligence methods to improve our understanding of the ecosystem's dynamics and simulate future developments. To this end, various data sources, including those from subgoal 2, will be consolidated and combined with existing ocean models. Based on this, various scenarios can be calculated and the impact of measures analysed. A visualisation tool will present the results clearly and support decision-making processes in policy and practice.

Key activities:

• Harmonisation of data standards and quality criteria
• Further development of modelling approaches
• Use of AI to predict environmental changes
• Simulation of different management scenarios
• Development of an interactive visualisation tool

Focus on results: Simulation of scenarios and evaluation of measures