Project partners meet volunteers of the “Free Beaches” Citizens’ Movement at Glystra, Lagonisi
How does love for a place turn into a daily act of responsibility?
This question was at the heart of the meeting held in May ’26 between the partners of the European Erasmus+ project “Guardians of the Coasts” and volunteers of the “Free Beaches” Citizens’ Movement at the permanent watch post at Glystra, Lagonisi.
The meeting was organised by Fotoessa, with the participation of the Portuguese partners Rita Sousa from Aequalitas and Rafaela Fortunato and Beatriz Pereira from Impactrip, with the aim of exchanging experiences on citizen participation in protecting the coastal commons.
Participants learned about the history of the Movement, how the watch post operates, and how citizens of different ages, professions and backgrounds work together every day to preserve free access to the beaches.
The discussion showed that active citizenship is not expressed only through major initiatives or public interventions. It is also expressed through steady presence, consistency, solidarity and the daily care of a place regarded as a common good.
As was aptly said during the meeting:
“Beaches belong to everyone.”
and
“Protecting free beaches is a matter for society as a whole.”
Beyond words, however, what impressed the partners most was the very presence of the people.
A watch post that operates every day.
Volunteers who give their time, work together and take personal responsibility for a public space without expecting any personal gain.
The meeting was a living reminder that protecting the commons is not solely a matter for institutions or organisations.
It is a process that gains real strength when citizens themselves take an active part, cooperate and build relationships of trust around a common purpose.
Through experiences like this, Guardians of the Coasts continues to highlight different facets of active citizenship, building bridges between local experience, international cooperation and education for the sustainable management of coastal areas.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
