Funded by the European Union through the Interreg Europe programme, seven coastal regions from the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Albania, Lithuania, Spain, and Italy have launched the Coast Craft partnership. This international collaboration focuses on strengthening coastal areas through knowledge exchange, policy development, and innovative cooperation.
Coast Craft: Cross-Border Collaboration for Coastal Innovation
The participating regions are:
- Municipality of Vlissingen, the Netherlands
- AG Oostende & Province of West Flanders, Belgium
- Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities, Severoiztochen, Bulgaria
- Free to Travel, Qender, Albania
- Administration of Lithuania Minor Protected Areas, Vidurio ir vakarų Lietuvos regionas, Lithuania
- Directorate General for Spatial Planning and Architecture, Región de Murcia, Spain
- Province of Livorno, Tuscany, Italy
Through Coast Craft, the partners will work together on coastal protection, climate adaptation, sustainable economic development, and collaboration with educational and research institutions. Interreg Europe enables this partnership by providing funding to support innovative policy solutions and sustainable regional development.
Kick-Off Meeting in Vlissingen
From 3 to 5 June the Coast Craft Partnership launched in Vlissingen, Netherlands, with a three-day event uniting partners from several European coastal regions. Supported by Interreg Europe funding, the initiative focuses on strengthening cross-border cooperation to address the shared challenges of rising sea levels and climate change in communities linked by their coastal location.
Day 1 began at the Zeeuws Maritiem MuZEEum, where participants explored Zeeland’s maritime heritage and learned about current coastal developments, including the unique Dutch-Belgian North Sea Port District. A solar-powered coastal tour highlighted local environmental threats, resilience strategies, and opportunities for innovative policy-making.
Day 2 featured a moving visit to the Watersnoodmuseum, where flood survivor Ria Geluk urged immediate, practical action on climate resilience. The group also toured the Oosterscheldekering, an iconic Delta Works storm surge barrier, discussing how it balances safety, development, and ecology in an era of rising seas.
Day 3 brought expert insights from the Delta Climate Center and the City of Ostend, showcasing nature-based solutions and drawing parallels between Flemish and Dutch approaches. Discussions focused on how these ideas could be adapted and implemented in different regional contexts.
The kick-off blended history, innovation, and urgency, establishing a strong foundation for long-term international collaboration aimed at safeguarding Europe’s coastal regions. It was a highly successful event, and we look forward to continued fruitful cooperation in the years ahead.
Building Resilient Coasts Together
In the coming years, Coast Craft partners will exchange best practices, explore policy improvements, and experiment with new strategies for coastal development. Thanks to the Interreg Europe subsidy, they can jointly work on sustainable solutions with impact both locally and across Europe.
This partnership reflects the shared ambition of the seven regions to actively contribute to a safe, ecological, and economically vibrant future for European coastal areas.
For more information, visit https://www.interregeurope.eu/coast-craft.
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