Project Partners Meet Volunteers of the Free Beaches Citizens’ Movement at the Glystra Beach Watch Point

When does our love for a place become a daily act of responsibility?

This question was at the heart of a meeting between the partners of the Erasmus+ project “Guardians of the Coasts” and volunteers of the Free Beaches Citizens’ Movement at the movement’s permanent volunteer watch point at Glystra Beach, Lagonissi.

The meeting was organised by FOTOESSA, bringing together the Portuguese partners Rita Sousa from Aequalitas and Rafaela Fortunato and Beatriz Pereira from Impactrip, with the aim of exchanging experiences on citizens’ participation in protecting coastal commons.

During the visit, participants learned about the history of the movement, the operation of the volunteer watch point and the way citizens of different ages, professions and backgrounds work together every day to safeguard free public access to the coastline.

The discussion highlighted that active citizenship is not expressed only through major campaigns or public advocacy. It is equally reflected in consistency, solidarity, shared responsibility and the quiet, everyday commitment of citizens who choose to care for a place they recognise as a common good.

As participants repeatedly emphasised throughout the discussion:

“The beaches belong to everyone.”

and

“Protecting free public beaches is the responsibility of society as a whole.”

Beyond these powerful statements, what impressed the project partners most was the people themselves.

A volunteer watch point operating every day.

Citizens willingly offering their time.

People cooperating, taking responsibility and caring for a public space without expecting personal benefit in return.

The meeting offered a vivid reminder that protecting common goods is not solely the responsibility of public authorities or organisations.

It becomes truly effective when citizens themselves choose to participate, collaborate and build relationships of trust around a shared purpose.

Through encounters such as this, Guardians of the Coasts continues to showcase different expressions of active citizenship, building bridges between local experience, international cooperation and education for the sustainable stewardship of coastal areas.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.