CAPSenHAR (Capitalizzazione delle Campagne di SENsibilizzazione per la corretta fruizione delle aree protette in HARMONY) was a capitalization project funded under the Interreg V-A Italia–Malta 2014–2020 Programme. The project was launched to consolidate, transfer, and expand the results achieved through previous cross-border initiatives, particularly the HARMONY and SenHAR projects, transforming successful methodologies and tools into practical solutions for the long-term protection and management of the Sicily–Malta marine environment.

The project brought together a partnership comprising the University of Palermo as Lead Partner, ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), the University of Malta, and the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. Through this collaboration, CAPSenHAR strengthened scientific and institutional cooperation between Italy and Malta, promoting a shared approach to marine biodiversity conservation and environmental monitoring in the central Mediterranean.

A key focus of CAPSenHAR was the monitoring and management of non-indigenous and invasive marine species, which represent one of the most significant threats to marine ecosystems. Building upon the Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) framework developed through previous projects, CAPSenHAR enhanced the capacity of stakeholders to identify, report, and monitor new species introductions at an early stage, enabling more effective environmental management and conservation actions.

The project also promoted citizen science and the use of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), recognising the valuable contribution of fishers, divers, Marine Protected Area personnel, and other sea users in detecting environmental changes. Through awareness-raising activities, training initiatives, and stakeholder engagement, CAPSenHAR encouraged active public participation in marine conservation while fostering greater environmental responsibility and stewardship.

By transferring established monitoring protocols and best practices to additional Marine Protected Areas and coastal stakeholders, CAPSenHAR contributed to the creation of a more extensive and sustainable cross-border monitoring network. The project successfully achieved its objectives, strengthening regional capacity for biodiversity protection, improving environmental awareness, and ensuring the long-term legacy of previous Interreg investments in the Sicily–Malta cooperation area.

Completed in December 2023, CAPSenHAR represents an important example of how European territorial cooperation can support the sustainable management of shared marine resources, enhance environmental governance, and promote the conservation of biodiversity through innovation, collaboration, and community involvement.