Order No. 303/2026/1 amending Order No. 442/2025/1 establishing the ‘Blue Forest – Ecological Restoration of Seagrass Meadows’ Programme.

This Order amends Order No. 442/2025/1 establishing the “Blue Forest – Ecological Restoration of Seagrass Meadows” Programme. Its principal objective is to facilitate the effective implementation of the programme by addressing practical and financial constraints identified during its initial execution phase. The amendment recognizes that beneficiaries have encountered difficulties in completing restoration projects within the original timeline established under the programme and, therefore, seeks to provide greater flexibility to ensure that ecological restoration activities can be carried out successfully and with the expected environmental benefits. To achieve these objectives, the Order authorizes the extension of project implementation arrangements and introduces greater financial flexibility in the management of programme resources. In particular, it allows unused funds allocated for 2026 to be transferred to 2027, enabling the Environmental Fund to finance projects according to their actual implementation needs while respecting the overall budget approved under the original programme. The amendment is intended to support the proper execution of projects funded under the programme, ensuring the continued restoration of seagrass meadows and the achievement of objectives related to marine biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems.