ENCORA initiative and Public Participation in the coastal management in the EU Case Study compiled for EU-COMET 2 project Alan Pickaver & Wouter Kreiken EUCC – The Coastal Union

Outline Introduction to the ENCORA initiative The status of Public Participation in coastal management in the EU

European platform for sharing knowledge and experience in coastal science, policy and practice 1 Feb 2006 – 1 Feb 2009 EU funding ~ 3,5 million EUR What is ENCORA?

1.Multifunctionality 2.ICZM Participation 3.Spatial planning 4.Pollution 5.Long-term change 6.Coastal habitat change 7.Biodiversity change 8.Engineering techniques 9.Observational techniques 10.Capacity building Belgium France Greece Italy Poland Sweden UK Ukraine Denmark Germany Ireland Netherlands Portugal Spain Russia Algeria (Morocco, Tunisia) NATIONAL NETWORKS THEMATIC NETWORKS

ENCORA search services:  ICZM Websearch  Contact database  Contact Search Mechanism ENCORA other services:  Coastal Wiki  YPEP  Forum ENCORA Services

ENCORA: Theme 2 Theme 2: ICZM participation and implementation in Europe Led by EUCC – dr. Alan Pickaver Survey through ENCORA network: –Status of PP in ICZM in Europe

Status of PP in EU Survey in Cyprus, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, UK Questionnaire to 150 PP experts in the EU (ENCORA & EUCC networks) Background in: Science, local, regional and national policy, consultants, NGOs

Results Country Perceived level CY2-4 BE 2-4 DE 3-5 ES 2-3 FR 1-4 GR 1-2 IE2-4 IT 4 NL 4-5 PO 3-4 PT 4-5 SW 4-6 UK3-5 Level 1 - all decisions are taken by government; Level 2 - committees for the main purpose of engineering support; Level 3 - informed but no channel for feedback; Level 4 - consultation i.e. opinions asked; Level 5 - advisory role where advice is actually taken; Level 6 - real negotiation between stakeholders and decision-makers; Level 7 - decision-making delegated. 7 levels of Participation* *Arnstein, Sherry R. “A Ladder of Citizen Participation,” Journal American Planning Association 35, , 1969

Striking results Main obstacle: Lack of public awareness Large gap between legal world and reality Small projects have earlier participation General public is not always involved “institutions are stakeholders, but stakeholders are more numerous than institutions” Participation in stages Consultation fatigue

Recommendations Information dissemination to general public Organised stakeholders as a first step of public participation Targeted information campaign for relevant authorities Small and local projects more likely to involve general public Formalize participation in stages Accept that there is a limit to participation End result: European Action Plan

More information on ENCORA at: More information on public participation in Europe:

ENCORA Meet your partners Help your colleagues Find your information Build your network Your pool of knowledge & experience Share your knowledge & experience EU Action plans THE NETWORKING SERVICES