The capacity to generate knowledge for sustainable coastal development is spread in Europe over many hundreds of institutes and research groups. Many hundreds of institutions have responsibility for coastal policy-making and coastal management. Many similarities exist in the research and management tasks carried out by this large number of organisations. However, the links existing at present within and between the coastal science and practitioner communities are weak. Europe is not yet capable to take advantage of its scale to efficiently tackle the challenges posed by the future of our coasts.
The ENCORA Coordination Action aims to overcome existing fragmentation. Therefore a range of mechanisms will be developed to share knowledge and experience within and between the communities of coastal science, policy and practice. These mechanisms will be implemented by Coordination Offices, which have been established in 18 European countries. The Coordination Offices therefore rely on National Networks, Thematic Networks and Affiliated Networks.
CoastNet is a partner of the Encora project.