Protecting Coastal Areas through Knowledge, Participation and Cooperation
As part of the Erasmus+ project Guardians of the Coasts, Fotoessa and the Portuguese partners Impactrip and Aequalitas held a working meeting with Antonis Sifakis, a lawyer specialising in environmental law and an environmental activist with extensive experience in protecting natural commons.
The meeting formed part of the project’s ongoing programme of knowledge exchange and capacity building, aiming to develop an innovative educational framework that empowers citizens to actively contribute to the protection of coastal ecosystems.
During the meeting, Mr Sifakis presented the evolution of the Greek legal and institutional framework governing the protection and management of coastal areas, explaining the principles that safeguard the public character of beaches while also discussing the challenges created by contemporary planning and development policies.
A major focus of the discussion was the role of citizens in environmental governance. Participants explored how local communities, civil society organisations and informed citizens can actively contribute to coastal protection by understanding legal procedures, participating in public consultation processes and making effective use of available administrative and legal instruments.
Rather than approaching environmental law solely as a legal discipline, the meeting demonstrated its value as a practical tool for civic participation, environmental justice and democratic engagement.
The discussion also included examples from both Greece and Portugal, highlighting successful initiatives where cooperation between citizens, researchers, local authorities and civil society organisations has strengthened environmental protection and promoted sustainable coastal management.
Participants further examined the challenges currently facing Mediterranean coastal regions, including increasing tourism pressures, competing land uses, climate change and the need to balance environmental conservation with sustainable economic development.
Special emphasis was placed on active citizenship as a cornerstone of protecting common natural resources. The exchange of experiences confirmed that effective coastal protection depends not only on strong legislation but also on informed citizens, resilient local communities and meaningful public participation.
The knowledge shared during the meeting will directly contribute to the design of the project’s capacity-building workshops to be implemented in Greece and Portugal. These workshops will combine environmental education, active citizenship, participatory democracy, sustainable coastal management and digital awareness, providing participants with practical knowledge and tools that can be applied within their own communities.
The meeting with Antonis Sifakis further strengthened the interdisciplinary dimension of the project and reinforced collaboration with experts whose work contributes to environmental justice, sustainable development and the protection of coastal commons.
Fotoessa warmly thanks Antonis Sifakis for his valuable contribution, inspiring presentation and willingness to share his expertise with the project partners.
Our Beaches: A Common Good. A Shared Responsibility. A Common Future.
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