MUSOL Foundation: Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Aquaculture and Climate Resilience
Founded in 1998 by local government executives and public administration experts, Fundación MUSOL (Municipalistas por la Solidaridad y el Fortalecimiento Institucional) is a Spanish Non-Governmental Organization for Development (NGOD) dedicated to strengthening local and regional authorities to advance sustainable development and good governance.
Through its extensive experience in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, MUSOL bridges policy and practice — empowering institutions and communities to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhance climate resilience, and foster inclusive growth.
🏛️ Bringing Governance and Participation into AquaBioNets
Within AquaBioNets, MUSOL plays a central role in building capacities among public institutions, civil society, and local communities to better manage aquatic ecosystems, reduce pollution, and preserve biodiversity.
By leading the project’s capacity building activities, MUSOL ensures that knowledge exchange and skills development go hand in hand with environmental innovation. Through tailored training programmes, participatory workshops, and policy recommendations, MUSOL supports municipalities and stakeholders in integrating sustainability into everyday decision-making.
Their work helps create stronger, better-informed local administrations capable of tackling environmental challenges and driving the transition toward more resilient, nature-based aquaculture systems.
🧑🤝🧑 The Team Behind the Mission
The AquaBioNets team is led by Francesco Filippi, Director of Operations, who brings over 20 years of experience in international cooperation and more than a decade managing EU-funded projects in the fields of green transition and local governance.
He is joined by Carla Mata, Coordinator of the Europe Programme, specializing in local development and multi-level project management; Eukene Oquendo, expert in EU political communication and storytelling; and Gabriela Dujarric, skilled in technical and financial monitoring, gender equity, and rural development.
Together, they form a multidisciplinary team committed to using innovation and collaboration as tools for sustainable change.
Connecting Local Action with European Innovation
Beyond AquaBioNets, MUSOL leads and participates in several groundbreaking initiatives across the Mediterranean and Europe. Projects such as NUDGES, LOGREENER, and RealUrbanGreen promote behavioural change, green energy transition, and climate-resilient urban planning through Living Labs and community engagement.
As coordinator of Agrovoltep (2023–2026), MUSOL is also pioneering the development of agrovoltaic models that combine renewable energy with sustainable agriculture — strengthening technical capacity and integrating green practices into public policy.
These initiatives reflect MUSOL’s ongoing commitment to bridging environmental innovation with practical, community-based governance.
🌿 Looking Ahead with AquaBioNets
Through AquaBioNets, MUSOL aims to consolidate its mission of empowering local authorities and communities for environmental resilience. By combining participatory governance with knowledge transfer, the foundation contributes to cleaner aquatic ecosystems, stronger institutions, and a more sustainable Mediterranean.
Its leadership in capacity building and policy innovation ensures that the benefits of AquaBioNets extend far beyond the project’s lifespan — creating lasting impact for people, nature, and local economies.
