May 2026 – As part of the Erasmus+ project “Guardians of the Coasts”, Fotoessa and the project’s Portuguese partners – Rita Sousa from Aequalitas, and Rafaela Fortunato and Beatriz Pereira from Impactrip – held a working meeting with the Mayor of Saronikos, Mr Dimitris Papachristou, on protecting the coastal environment and safeguarding citizens’ free access to beaches.
The discussion focused on the current challenges facing coastal communities and on the role of local government in defending the commons. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of free access to beaches as a fundamental element of social cohesion, quality of life and residents’ relationship with their natural environment.
During the meeting, the possibilities as well as the limitations that local authorities face in applying the relevant legislation were examined. Participants discussed the practical difficulties that often arise in accessing certain beaches, as well as the ways in which municipalities can help protect the public character of the coastal zone through the institutional tools at their disposal.
The exchange of experiences between Greece and Portugal was of particular interest. Participants had the opportunity to compare different approaches to coastal management and to examine shared challenges in maintaining a balance between economic development, tourism and the protection of the public interest.
The Mayor of Saronikos underlined the importance of the active participation of citizens and the local community in defending free access to beaches, pointing out that protecting the coastal zone is an issue directly linked to daily life, cultural identity and the future of local communities.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of proposals for public information and awareness-raising activities, and with the shared conclusion that protecting the coast requires collaboration between local government, civil society, the scientific community and active citizens.
This meeting was a particularly important moment for the “Guardians of the Coasts” project, highlighting the importance of dialogue and international cooperation in shaping sustainable and participatory policies for managing coastal areas.
Our beaches: A common good. A shared responsibility. A common future.
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