THE ROMANIAN STAKEHOLDER PERCEPTION ON THE MULTI-USES CONCEPT PROMOTED WITHIN THE MARSPLAN-BS II PROJECT

The Multi-Uses (MU) concept is still novel in the Black Sea, particularly in Romania. Following the Horizon 2020 MUSES project methodology and the Multi-Use Action Plan recommendations, the concepts were tested under the MARSPLAN-BS II project within a first pilot MU case study for Romania, in the coastal area laying northerly between the Corbu Village towards the border with Bulgaria to the south. It aims to explore the 'soft' MU combination of Tourism, Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH), and Environmental Protection fit-for-purpose for the Maritime Spatial Planning scopes by considering the main drivers and barriers that might contribute to or hinder its realization. The analysis is mainly based on the in-depth desk research and stakeholder consultation process. It resulted that the main barriers against developing the combination are related to the inefficient and/or insufficient legal framework as well as national/local strategies and programs for supporting the considered activities (addressing the financial, social, research, and innovation aspects).