Protecting the coast requires knowledge, participation and collaboration
As part of the European Erasmus+ project Guardians of the Coasts, Fotoessa and the Portuguese partners from Impactrip and Aequalitas held a working meeting with Antonis Sifakis, a lawyer specialising in environmental law with many years of experience in environmental activism.
The meeting is part of the series of knowledge- and experience-sharing activities carried out within the project, with the aim of creating an up-to-date educational programme for empowering citizens and protecting coastal ecosystems.
During the meeting, he presented the development of the Greek legal framework governing the management and protection of the foreshore and the beach, as well as the different forms of governance and management of coastal zones. The core principles that enshrine the common-use character of the coast were analysed, together with the current challenges arising from special development and planning regimes.
Of particular interest was the discussion on the opportunities for citizens to take an active part in protecting the coastal environment. Mr Sifakis highlighted the role that local communities, civil society organisations and active citizens can play through knowledge of the legal framework, use of the available administrative and legal tools, and well-informed participation in public decision-making processes.
The discussion was not limited to a theoretical approach to environmental law. On the contrary, examples from Greece and Portugal were examined, showing how collaboration between citizens, the scientific community, local government and organisations can make a real contribution to protecting the coast and to the sustainable management of natural resources.
Current challenges facing coastal areas of the Mediterranean were also presented, such as growing pressure from tourism development, land-use conflicts, the impacts of climate change and the need to strike a balance between economic development, environmental protection and social benefit.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of active citizenship as a key pillar for protecting the commons. Through the exchange of experiences it became clear that effective coastal protection requires not only an adequate legal framework, but also informed citizens, cooperating local communities and strong mechanisms for participation.
The conclusions of the meeting will be used directly in designing the project’s educational workshops, which will be delivered in Greece and Portugal. The educational programme will combine environmental protection, active citizenship, participatory democracy, sustainable coastal management and digital awareness, offering participants practical knowledge and tools they can use in their local communities.
The meeting with Antonis Sifakis confirmed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for protecting coastal areas and further strengthened the project’s links with experts, professionals and organisations that help advance environmental justice and sustainable development.
Fotoessa warmly thanks Antonis Sifakis for his extremely valuable contribution, his thorough presentation and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with the project partners.
Our beaches: A common good. A shared responsibility. A common future.
“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.”
