Missions are a novel instrument in Horizon Europe, which aim to tackle societal challenges with systemic solutions. The implementation of five mission areas (Restore our ocean and waters by 2030; Adaptation to Climate Change; Cancer; Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities; Soil Health and Food) was launched in 2021 by a Commission Communication on European Missions. The objective of the Mission 'Restore our ocean and waters by 2030' is to provide a systemic approach for the restoration of our ocean, seas and waters by 2030. The Mission is designed to deliver on the European Union's 2030 quantified and measurable targets for protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, for zero pollution, and for the decarbonisation and reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions towards climate-neutrality, within the EU's ocean, seas and waters.

In its 'development and piloting' phase (2022-2025), the Mission will roll out 'lighthouses' in major European sea and river basins, as the Mission sites. Lighthouses will act as hubs and platforms for the development, demonstration and deployment of solutions. This project supports DG RTD in developing a comprehensive Baseline for the lighthouses of the Atlantic/Arctic sea basin, Danube river basin and Mediterranean Sea basin of the Mission 'Restore our ocean and waters by 2030'. Specific activities include mapping lighthouse area relevant stakeholders, networks, governance structures and citizen engagement, as well as past, planned and ongoing projects relevant for the Mission objectives. Further, the study will establish the status in 2021 for the relevant Mission targets in the basin, against which the success of the mission implementation (its outcomes and impacts) will be measured in 2025 and 2030 (baseline).

Ecologic Institute leads the work on mapping citizen engagement and ocean and water literacy activities across the Mission lighthouses, as well as the baseline development for the Atlantic/Arctic sea basin 'lighthouse area'.