ENCORA

ENCORA European Platform for Coastal Research Coordination Action

ENCORA is a European network structure with new mechanisms for communication on shared problems within and between the communities of coastal science, policy and practice. In 13 European countries National Coastal Networks have been established. Ten trans-national, cross-disciplinary Thematic Networks, led by institutions with outstanding expertise, address major Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) issues; they include participants from all EU countries, including those where a national network is not yet established. Operational nodes are created between the National and Thematic networks and other existing coastal networks. National Network Offices take care of the process of knowledge exchange and cooperation between network participants Europe-wide. They establish through all the affiliated networks a contact search mechanism for knowledge sharing and cooperation, by raising information-exchange communities, organising an exchange-visit programme for young researchers/practitioners, by organising Communities of Practice and by project intertwining. The Thematic Networks produce benchmark studies, best-practice guides tested by practitioners and policymakers, a European ICZM training and education curriculum and European Action Plans for addressing priority issues for ICZM implementation.

2006 – 2009