The Knowledge Exchange Network for Marine Biodiversity

As part of the BioAgora project, the European Commission has promoted the formation of Knowledge Exchange Networks (KENs) to test and pilot the functions of the EU’ Science service for Biodiversity (SSBD).

The Knowledge Exchange Network for Marine Biodiversity (KEN-marine)  - a recognized and sustainable network of the EU SSBD was launched in March 2025 at the European Commission (EC)  to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and to maximize joint impact.

The KEN-marine establishes an effective dialogue between science and policy and subsequently improves evidence based policy and decision making for marine biodiversity. 

The overarching objectives of the KEN Marine are:

1) Advancing knowledge exchange on Marine Biodiversity

2) Closing the Marine Biodiversity science - policy implementation gap

3) Mainstreaming Marine Biodiversity into policy & decision making

4) Building awareness, capacities, and dialogues on the importance of Marine Biodiversity

The Knowledge Exchange Network for Marine Biodiversity is bringing together a broad range of actors holding expertise on marine biodiversity, directly or indirectly relevant to the implementation of EU policy commitments that impact marine biodiversity. 

Members of the KEN marine  range from a diversity of knowledge holders to knowledge users, brokers, and funders, and  include scientists, policymakers, practitioners, NGOs, businesses, citizen scientists and other relevant actors. The inclusiveness and participation of non-scientific and non-policy stakeholders, referring to the participation of NGOs, local communities, and the private sector across the KEN marine promotes its impact and the transformative and transdisciplinary approach urgently needed to tackle marine biodiversity challenges. 

The overall aim of BioAgora is to connect scientific results to the needs of environmental policy in a targeted dialogue between science, other knowledge holders and policy actors. Establishing the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD) embedded in a strong and clear governance arrangement will  support  implementing, monitoring, reporting and reviewing of  the EU biodiversity strategy as well as the orchestration of current and future knowledge mechanisms to implement the long-term European strategic biodiversity research agenda.

BioAgora is bridging the gap between knowledge generation and its application by translating and disseminating scientific results into actionable knowledge to ratchet up the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The Science Service (SSBD) has three overarching functions:

1. Creating and supporting active thematic networks 

2. Transforming the processes within and between science and policy 

3. Answering requests 

Each of these overarching functions consists of different support functions which the Knowledge Exchange Network for Marine Biodiversity (KEN-Marine) is and has been testing and piloting for the past two years to provide a roadmap for future KENs to build upon. 

Did you get one of the eco-friendly KEN tote bags at the KEN Kick Off event of in Brussels? Now it’s your turn to show it off!

Where does your KEN bag go? Whether it’s the beach, your office, a bike ride, or the local market — we want to see how you're using it. #sustainably of course!

How to get involved in the KEN Bag Challenge

1. Post a photo of your KEN bag in action
2. Tag #KENmarine and #kenBag on LinkedIn and add a short caption about where and how you’re using it
3. Follow us & tag us on LinkedIn

If you would like to join the #kenBag Challenge, all you need is the eco-friendly KEX tote bag. Contact us on LinkedIn and we make sure to send one to you!