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The ENCORA Co-ordination Action aims at the construction of an European network including 13 National Networks and 10 Thematic Networks among coastal scientists, politicians and practitioners. The network intends to promote the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) by overcoming the fragmentation of coastal science, practice and policy, by improving communication between science, policy and practice, and by proposing multidisciplinary approaches…

The ENCORA Co-ordination Action aims at the construction of an European network including 13 National Networks and 10 Thematic Networks among coastal scientists, politicians and practitioners. The network intends to promote the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) by overcoming the fragmentation of coastal science, practice and policy, by improving communication between science, policy and practice, and by proposing multidisciplinary approaches.

Within the overall project FEEM is Theme Co-ordination Office (Host Office) of Thematic Network 1 “Social and economic aspects of ICZM; Multifunctionality and valuation”.

This Network is the reference point for the mapping of conflicts and impacts deriving from anthropogenic activities on coastal zones and for techniques, tools and practical approaches to facilitate the consideration and evaluation of socio-economic aspects during the formulation of strategies for ICZM.

The Co-ordinator of Thematic Network 1 is the Consorzio per la Gestione del Centro di Coordinamento delle Attività di Ricerca inerenti il Sistema Lagunare di Venezia (CORILA).

The ENCORA Project succeeded in constructing a platform formed by national networks of coastal scientists, politicians and practitioners from Europe, the southern Mediterranean and Black sea states. Two of the main outcomes of the networking activities put into place by national and thematic networks cooperating in the project were the European Action Plan for Strengthening the Knowledge Base of Sustainable Coastal and Marine Management formulated in Paris in December 2007 thanks to the collaboration of experts from all participating networks, in order to indicate the most urgent need for action in coastal research, directed to national research agencies as well as to the European Commission.

In the Venice platform declaration representatives from the national networks declare their intention to cooperate on the promotion of sustainable policies for coastal zones.

The Coastal and Marine Wiki was initiated under responsibility of the thematic networks providing information relevant for coastal practitioners and scientists in a searchable website that allows visitors to easily add, remove and otherwise edit and change available articles. It is going to be maintained also after the conclusion of the ENCORA Project.