Koper, Slovenia, November 2024 - The PRO-Coast project reached a significant milestone with the conclusion of its third consortium meeting held on November 20 - 21, 2024, in Koper, Slovenia. This gathering of all 20 project partners facilitated an in-depth discussion about progress made during the project's first year and strategic planning for the upcoming year, setting the stage for a productive 2025. Hosted by the University of Primorska, the meeting provided a dynamic platform for participants to exchange insights and experiences.
The PRO-Coast project is dedicated to unraveling the intricate factors through nine case studies, that shape human behavior and decision-making regarding environmental conservation in coastal areas. By examining aspects such as behavior patterns, anthropogenic outcome, lifestyle choices, and cultural and ethical values, the initiative aims to engage a wide array of stakeholders. These include civil society, policymakers, financial leaders, and industry representatives. The ultimate goal is to devise effective strategies to enhance environmental governance and foster sustainability by local people.
Throughout the two-day meeting, partners shared their progress and achievements, addressed challenges faced, and outlined ambitious future objectives.
The first day tackled achievements over the past six months and outstanding tasks across the project's seven work packages, paving the way for progress and innovation. An open discussion followed, fostering collaboration and enabling partners to exchange valuable insights and expertise. This day culminated in a captivating field visit to the Strunjan protected area, renowned for its salt farms and breathtaking natural beauty along the Adriatic Sea. Participants had the invaluable opportunity to witness firsthand the project's significant impact on local biodiversity and conservation initiatives.
On the second day, the focus shifted to featured dynamic presentations from each of the nine case study partners, highlighting their activities, accomplishments, and obstacles encountered during the inaugural year of the PRO-Coast project. The case study leaders worked with project experts to develop indicators to measure progress on their conservation initiatives.
The PRO-Coast initiative is committed to empowering local communities and civil society in their efforts to restore and maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services across Europe. To realize this ambition, the project is engaging stakeholders through a variety of events, including workshops, training sessions, conferences, and online forums, all accessible via the official PRO-Coast website (www.pro-coast.eu).
The extensive diversity among project partners—including ecologists and social scientists—has enriched discussions with unique perspectives and innovative ideas. This collaborative effort is set to result in long-lasting improvements in resilience and efficiency within stakeholder communities, researchers and policy makers. While the project is scheduled to run for the next 24 months, its groundbreaking technologies and concepts are poised to leave a lasting legacy in the field of environmental conservation.
About PRO-Coast: PRO-Coast consists of 20 partners from 14 countries (Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Romania, Montenegro, Cyprus, Malta, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Norway, and Ireland). They have joined forces to stimulate and empower local communities and civil society in general, to support restoration and maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services across Europe, involving them more actively in environmental governance. Over the 3 years of the project, PRO-Coast will gather and synthesize knowledge for informed citizen decisions, improving co-participation in community decision-making, while integrating local knowledge into policymaking