{"id":1410,"date":"2026-10-17T07:56:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T07:56:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.fotoessa.gr\/?p=1410"},"modified":"2026-11-05T09:52:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T09:52:26","slug":"guardians-of-the-coasts-from-greece-to-portugal-shared-coastal-challenges-collective-responses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.fotoessa.gr\/index.php\/2026\/10\/17\/guardians-of-the-coasts-from-greece-to-portugal-shared-coastal-challenges-collective-responses\/","title":{"rendered":"Guardians of the Coasts: From Greece to Portugal – Shared Coastal Challenges, Collective Responses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Portugal | 12\u201316 October 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the dunes of Cascais to the beaches of Comporta and Melides, the Greek team of Guardians of the Coasts<\/strong> took part in a five-day study visit to Portugal (12\u201316 October 2026), in collaboration with Aequalitas<\/strong>. Through meetings with environmental organisations, citizens’ movements, scientific institutions and local government representatives, we explored challenges shared by both countries: coastal ecosystem conservation, public access to beaches, pressures from tourism development and the role of active citizenship. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and good practices, strengthening transnational cooperation to protect our coasts as a common good.<\/p>\n

How can we protect our coasts from the growing pressures of tourism, urban development and climate change? How can we ensure that beaches remain not only legally public but genuinely accessible to everyone? And what role can civil society play in shaping a more sustainable future for coastal communities?<\/p>\n

These were among the central questions explored during the Greek team’s study visit to Portugal, held from 12 to 16 October 2026 as part of the Erasmus+ project Guardians of the Coasts<\/strong>, implemented by Fotoessa<\/strong> in cooperation with the Portuguese organisation Aequalitas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The visit brought us together with environmental organisations, citizens’ movements, scientific institutions and local government representatives. From the Cascais coastline to Comporta and Melides, we encountered different realities and approaches that revealed both the shared challenges facing Greece and Portugal and the potential for cooperation in addressing them.<\/p>\n

From Exchange of Experiences to Collective Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

The study visit to Portugal provided a meaningful opportunity for exchanging knowledge, experiences and good practices.<\/p>\n

Our meetings highlighted different but complementary approaches: scientific research, ecological restoration, environmental education, volunteering, civic mobilisation and institutional dialogue.<\/p>\n

At the same time, we identified important similarities between the challenges facing coastal areas in Greece and Portugal.<\/p>\n

Tourism development pressures, barriers to meaningful public access, biodiversity conservation and the need for local community participation are shared concerns that require cooperation and long-term planning.<\/p>\n

For Fotoessa<\/strong>, this experience enriches the knowledge and educational approaches developed through Guardians of the Coasts<\/em>, strengthening the connection between non-formal education, active citizenship and environmental responsibility.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hospitality Rooted in Shared Values<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout the visit, we stayed at Impact Beach House<\/strong> in Estoril, a place that connects hospitality with the circular economy, ocean conservation, sustainable practices and volunteering.<\/p>\n

Its operating model provided an additional example of how tourism can be linked to environmental responsibility and social contribution.<\/p>\n

We sincerely thank Aequalitas<\/strong> for its collaboration and coordination of the study visit, as well as all the organisations and individuals who generously shared their knowledge, experiences and perspectives with us.<\/p>\n

A special thank you to Rafaela Fortunato<\/strong> and Beatriz Pereira<\/strong>, who accompanied and supported the Greek team throughout the programme, making a valuable contribution to our learning experience and the success of the visit.<\/p>\n

Our beaches. A common good. A shared responsibility. A common future.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Read Also: The Study Visit to Greece<\/strong><\/p>\n

The October 2026 study visit to Portugal built on the exchange initiated in May 2026, when Fotoessa welcomed the Portuguese project collaborators to Greece. Through meetings with scientists, local authorities, environmental organisations and citizens’ movements, participants explored challenges related to coastal protection and public access to beaches.<\/p>\n

Read about the study visit to Greece<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Portugal | 12\u201316 October 2026 From the dunes of Cascais to the beaches of Comporta and Melides, the Greek team of Guardians of the Coasts took part in a five-day study visit to Portugal (12\u201316 October 2026), in collaboration with Aequalitas. Through meetings with environmental organisations, citizens’ movements, scientific institutions and local government representatives, we<\/p>\n

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