May ’26 – As part of the Erasmus+ project “Guardians of the Coasts”, FOTOESSA and the Portuguese partners of the project held a working meeting with the Mayor of Saronikos, Mr. Dimitris Papachristou, focusing on coastal protection and the safeguarding of free public access to beaches.

The discussion focused on the contemporary challenges faced by coastal communities and on the role of local authorities in protecting common goods. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of free access to beaches as a fundamental element of social cohesion, quality of life and the relationship between local communities and their natural environment.

During the meeting, participants explored both the opportunities and the limitations faced by local authorities in implementing the relevant legal framework. Practical challenges affecting access to certain beaches were discussed, together with the ways municipalities can contribute to preserving the public character of coastal areas through the institutional tools available to them.

The exchange of experiences between Greece and Portugal proved particularly valuable. Participants had the opportunity to compare different approaches to coastal management and examine common challenges related to balancing economic development, tourism and the protection of the public interest.

The Mayor of Saronikos highlighted the importance of active citizen participation and community engagement in defending free access to beaches, emphasizing that the protection of coastal areas is directly linked to everyday life, cultural identity and the future of local communities.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of ideas for public awareness and educational initiatives, as well as a shared understanding that the protection of coastal areas requires cooperation among local authorities, civil society, the scientific community and engaged citizens.

This meeting represented an important milestone within the “Guardians of the Coasts” project, highlighting the value of dialogue and international cooperation in the development of sustainable and participatory approaches to coastal governance and management.

Our Beaches: A Common Good. A Shared Responsibility. A Common Future.

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