ENCORA - European Network on Coastal Research | Umweltbundesamt

Background and Goals

ENCORA is a European network structure with new mechanisms that are intended to help address the three major causes for stagnation in the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe:

•  Fragmentation of coastal science, policy and practice;
•  Difficult communication between science, policy and practice, and
•  Lack of multidisciplinary approaches.

In addition to national networks, the following thematic networks have been created:

Topic 1: Multifunctionality and valuation;

Topic 2: ICZM participation and implementation;

Topic 3: Marine and coastal spatial planning;

Topic 4: Pollution, prevention, detection and mitigation;

Topic 5: Long term coastal geo-morphological change;

Topic 6: Effect of development and use on eco-morphology and coastal habitat;

Topic 7: Restoration and preservation of coastal biodiversity: ecological valuation;

Topic 8: Sustainable coastal engineering techniques;

Topic 9. Assessment of field observation techniques;

Topic 10. Capacity building, training and education in ICZM;

Objectives: The ENCORA project has been initiated to improve the sharing of knowledge and experience within Europe, in two respects:

1. Overcome existing fragmentation of coastal expertise. In all European coastal states many institutions are engaged in coastal and marine studies related to science, practice or policy. Together these institutions constitute a huge resource of knowledge and experience. However, as long as the work and insights are not shared, this resource cannot be fully exploited.

2. Better exploit scientific knowledge in practice. Scientific knowledge is communicated mainly among fellow experts; scientific publications focus on specific disciplinary aspects and are almost inaccessible to "non-experts". Existing publication practices are not appropriate for putting new insights into practice.

This is why ENCORA organised a number of services enabling marine and coastal professionals to take better advantage of existing knowledge resources in Europe, for tackling the challenges posed by the future of our coasts. These services are run by Coordination Offices, which have been established in 18 European countries and rely on National Networks, Thematic Networks and Affiliated Networks.

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