AAP 2022 - Bolstering Mediterranean biodiversity and MCPAs for nature (SEMPA Project) The Mediterranean basin is considered a biodiversity hotspot, with an outstanding flora diversity of 15,000 to 25,000 species, 60% of which are unique to the region. However, coastal development, tourism, overexploitation, pollution, climate change, and other drivers are leading to unprecedented rates of species extinction and long term ecosystem imbalances. These, in turn, have direct consequences on food security, livelihoods and human health.In view of these challenges, there is an urgent and critical need to support Southern Neighbourhood countries in their efforts to protect their natural assets.The overall objective of the program is to protect the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea and support the achievement of its good environmental status.The specific objectives of the two program components are: a) Support the implementation of the Post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region and b) Continue support on Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) implementation with a particular focus on biodiversity &amp; NIS[1], Hydrography &amp; coast and interlinkages with climate change, expanding the scope of the support to SEIS[2] implementation and its related indicators to biodiversity and climate change.The programme will also have a particular focus on:-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sustainability: ensuring that actions become progressively self-sustained;-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Awareness raising: working to promote long-term behavioural changes in local populations toward biodiversity conservation;-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gender mainstreaming: promote gender equality and gender related aspects, especially in the designation and management processes of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs).The proposed programme in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the commitments made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) including the Paris Agreement and at following COPs, as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 15, the EU Strategy for Adaptation, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.The measures are also in line with and feed into the implementation of the recently agreed UNEP/MAP - EEA Joint Work Plan 2022-2030. The work plan includes, among its major products, support for the generation of data and information including indicators development/population, national capacity building activities, as well as the development of tools, methods and approaches to measure sustainability achievement and effectiveness of responses and the preparation of sustainability gap report, addressing achievement of SDGs and targets and Barcelona Convention and Protocols objectives.The actions contribute directly to the achievement of the objectives outlined in the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for the Southern Neighborhood (2021-2027)[3], under Priority Area 4: Green Transition, and more specifically, to the sub-objectives 4.1 (Climate Action) and 4.3 (Biodiversity).. It contributes to several SDGs: SDG5: Gender equality, SDG13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life below water and SDG 15: Life on land.