MPA Network for Ecosystem Connectivity and Co-Management towards Strict Protection and Restoration The main objective of BLUE CONNECT project is to directly support effective achievement of marine conservation and restoration targets in the EU and beyond by advancing implementation of the European Green Deal and its EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the European Restoration Law, and the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework of the Convention for Biological Diversity and will ensure the implementation of the EU Mission’s "Restore our Ocean and Waters". A widely applicable ecosystem-based Blueprint will result from applying an innovative, collaborative, science-based and data-driven systematic approach for the designation and management of marine protected areas, including shifting their status from “protected” to “strictly protected” and quantifying their conservation effectiveness. A co-development approach in cooperation with site-specific stakeholders and citizens in 12 Demonstration (Demo) sites is set to establish co-ownership for the effective conservation management and their long-term commitment to the jointly established conservation objectives. The Blueprint will be developed as transferable and scalable beyond the project Demo sites, coupled with a deployment and transferability plan. BLUE CONNECT will therefore contribute to both phases of Mission Oceans’ implementation, by piloting the Blueprint in the Demo sites as well as considering its transferability, scalability and deployment.