MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
Introduction
During the last decade there is a growing trend in favor of public participation in environmental decision-making, including management of coastal resources. State-of-the-art
Coastal Zone Management research and development has shown that public participation is the backbone of such an adaptive process, which otherwise could be rendered unsuccessful.
As early as 1992
1
the EU had already recognised Integrated Coastal Zone Management as a valuable participatory planning methodology and an integrated policy making tool for achieving sustainable development in the coastal zone.
The EC ICZM Demo Programme (1996-1999) identified the causes behind conflicts and problems faced by Europe’s coasts, which “can be traced to underlying problems related to a lack of knowledge, inappropriate and uncoordinated laws, a failure to involve stakeholders, and a lack of coordination between the relevant administrative bodies ”. Thereafter, it was widely recognized that “ there is no simple, legislative solution to these complex problems ” and therefore “ an integrated, participative territorial approach is required to ensure that the management of Europe’s coastal zones is environmentally and economically sustainable, as well as socially equitable and cohesive”. As such, further participation, coordination, networking and collaboration of all stakeholders involved in ICZM processes throughout
Europe was deemed to be an essential factor of success in order to resolve social conflicts and environmental problems related to uncontrolled and unsustainable development.
Lessons drawn from the 35 different ICZM Demo Projects implemented around Europe led to the 2000 EC Communication (COM/00/547) for a European Strategy on ICZM and in 2002 the European Council and the Parliament issued a Recommendation (2002/413/EC) on the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe. The Commission noted in its Communications (COM(1997) 744 and COM(2000) 547) to the Council and the
European Parliament that integrated management of the coastal zone requires strategic, coordinated and concerted action at the local and regional level, guided and supported by an appropriate framework at the national level.
As such, the European Strategy on ICZM (COM/00/547) called for the promotion of a collaborative approach to planning and management of the coastal zone, within a philosophy of governance by partnership with civil society . In the same wavelength, the Council and
European Parliament Recommendation (2002/413/EC) called member states to undertake a strategic approach for the management of their coastal zones and cooperate more systematically towards that end, to develop national ICZM strategies and concerted actions at regional/ local levels, as well as to facilitate participatory processes and particularly to “ identify measures to promote bottom-up initiatives and public participation in integrated management of the coastal zone and its resources ”.
1
Council Resolution of 25 February 1992 on the future Community policy concerning the European coastal zone ( OJ C 135, 18.5.1994, p. 2.), also Council Resolution of 6 May 1994 on a Community strategy for integrated coastal zone management ( OJ C 59, 6.3.1992, p. 1.)

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
Dealing with conflicts has been called the greatest challenge facing Integrated Coastal Zone
Management because of the typical multiuse and multi-value setting of coastal systems.
Thereafter, the challenge lies with coastal practitioners to employ the necessary participatory approaches and tools in order to manage long-term conflicts in the coastal zone and ensure sustainable development.
The underline theme in most conflict management approaches is the idea that the people affected, the stakeholders, should be involved in the resolution of conflicts through a structured, organized process. Exclusion of population groups from decisions, and especially those who face their consequences, leads to conflicts further down the implementation process. A structured deliberative process can ease these tensions by striving for consensual decisions at an early stage. Deliberation, in that case, is the process by which views are tested and arguments are put forward and countered in discussion and debate.
There are several methods and tools, which encourage citizens to reflect on issues affecting them and their communities through some form of deliberative process. Focus groups, community planning or visioning exercises, scenario workshops, future search and consensus conferences, citizens’ juries , all fall in this category but surprisingly they have seen little or no application in coastal zone management related issues around Europe. Therefore, the challenge for European coastal practitioners would be the choice and combination of appropriate participatory tools and methods into a structured and Integrated Deliberative
Decision Process for ICZM .
The explicit reference to integration emphasizes the need to see the deliberative process not alone, but in relation to the surrounding governance framework , in coordination with the management of information and in conformity with the recognition that such a process is not a one-off event but rather a longer process consisting of several activities and events . A key feature of deliberative processes is that they do not see deliberation and inclusion (i.e. participation) as mere instruments towards predefined goals, such as for example enhancing the acceptance of policies or plans. The process of dialogue and negotiation is seen as containing value in itself over and above the quality of the decisions that emerge.
The workshop
Public participation is by now broadly recognized as a key component for dealing with longterm conflicts in the coastal zone and a key requirement of sustainable coastal resource planning and management .
§
But up to what extent have authorities managed to change their philosophy of governance and actually integrate consultation and participatory processes during the coastal planning process?
§ Up to what extent have they managed to deal with long-term coastal conflicts through a structured participatory process?
§ Do coastal managers possess the necessary skills and/or the tools to facilitate such a structured participatory process and manage coastal conflicts in the long run?
§
Up to what extent have they managed to facilitate actual involvement and long-term commitment of the public in the planning/ evaluation process and the drawing up of plans?
§ What short of guidance has been provided on how to run participatory processes?

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
§ Is there any sufficient guidance on how to link participatory processes with actual decision-making and especially evaluations in the planning process?
The challenge for the COPRANET International Workshop in Sifnos island will be to collect case studies and draw sincere experience from project partners and other coastal practitioners (e.g. UNEP/ MAP, PAP/RAC, local stakeholders) on the nature of structured participatory processes employed , if employed, in several coastal zone systems around
Europe, to assess how effective these processes have been in dealing with coastal conflicts , as well as to explore the ways on how to link participatory processes with actual decisionmaking and especially evaluations in the coastal planning processes .
The ultimate goal of the Sifnos COPRANET workshop will be to contribute to the development of a guidance document on how to design and run an integrated deliberative process for supporting decision making in the context of ICZM , especially in the broader context of implementing the mandate of the Council and European Parliament
Recommendation (2002/413/EC) to “ identify measures to promote bottom-up initiatives and public participation in integrated management of the coastal zone and its resources ”.
Workshop context, aims and objectives
The International Workshop “Participatory planning tools and methods for sustainable management of marine, coastal and island resources” , will provide participants
(maximum 50 in number) an in depth look “from a practitioners point of view” into the backbone of every sustainable coastal planning process, i.e. on methods and tools used to incorporate public participation in decision-making.
Workshop participation is open for the 22 COPRANET project partners, as well as for coastal practitioners and other stakeholders (academics, researchers, policy-makers, NGOs) from
Greece. The 50 participants will have the chance to exchange best practices and examples of participatory processes followed in the context of ICZM throughout Europe , they will be introduced to state-of-the-art methods and tools for integrated deliberative decision processes and they will contribute with proposals for the sustainable future of the Greek islands, with emphasis in Sifnos Island .
The International Workshop aims to assess the degree of public participation in managing
Europe’s coasts and the effectiveness of participatory methods and tools used in the context of ICZM processes. More specifically the workshop has the following objectives:
§ To facilitate exchange of experiences and good practices on participatory approaches followed in the context of ICZM
§
To present state-of-the-art participatory methods and tools for sustainable coastal zone management by involving coastal stakeholders in an integrated deliberative decision processes
§
To transfer, from the European level to the local/ regional one, knowledge and expertise relevant to sustainable management of marine, coastal and island resources
§
To contribute, though a structured deliberative process, with direct proposals for the promotion of sustainable development patterns for Sifnos island.
§ To present COPRANET to Greek coastal practitioners and inaugurate the proceedings of the Greek Coastal Practitioners Network

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
Case study contributions
Following COPRANET’s task on the compilation of good practices on coastal management, workshop participants are kindly requested to collect and present (orally or in written form) case studies and their own experience from their locality/ region/ country describing participatory processes, with an ICZM context . Workshop participants will also receive a short questionnaire survey that will be kindly asked to fill and return prior to the realization of the workshop.
The submission deadline for abstracts of case studies and presentations is the
15 th
of April .
We welcome written submissions for case studies on participatory tools and methods in the context of ICZM even if there will be no physical representation in the workshop.
Workshop working language, oral and written submissions will be English
Outline Programme
Thursday, June 9
Arrival of participants in Sifnos
Friday, June 10
Morning session
Workshop Inauguration and Introductory presentations
Key-Presentations:
§
International efforts to strengthen public participation in ICZM processes (UNEP/
MAP, PAP/ RAC to be confirmed )
§ Presentation of case studies on participatory process in the context of ICZM followed by local/ regional authorities. (i.e. Coastal Forums, participant contributions, local stakeholder contributions)
Afternoon session
§
Presentation of selected case studies drawn from the 5 ICZM Demo projects implemented in Greece, during 1996-1999, on an ex-post evaluation of the participatory process followed and their actual contribution in the implementation and follow up stages
§
Presentation of methods and tools to facilitate a deliberative decision process
(Scenario workshops, Future Search Conference, Deliberative Community Visioning)
§ Introduction for the simulation session on community planning
Round Table, plenary session, followed by dinner
Saturday, June 11
Morning session
Key presentations:
§ The role of NGOs in facilitating bottom-up community planning approaches. (UNEP/
MAP to be confirmed - MEDSOS, WWF-Greece)
§
The natural and cultural environment of Sifnos. Threats and sustainable opportunities
§ Sustainable? Coastal zone management approaches in Sifnos and the Cyclades
Island complex. Past trends and future scenarios

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
Afternoon session
Field visit on Natura 2000 site (in case there is a growing number of case study presentations, the field visit will be transferred on the last day of the workshop) :
On field presentation of pilot projects in the context of ICZM realized by MEDSOS in Sifnos island in collaboration with the local Municipality. Followed by dinner
Sunday, June 12
Whole day facilitated session: “Planning for all: A shared vision and action plan for sustainable development in Sifnos and similar island systems” . Simulation of the Future
Search Conference method for community planning
Group work, round table plenary session. Followed by dinner
Monday, June 13
Inauguration meeting of the Greek Coastal Practitioners Network
Round table discussion: Project partners and workshop participants will meet and exchange experiences with local stakeholders from coastal and island Municipalities and representatives of international institutions (e.g. UNEP/ MAP to be confirmed ).
Presentation of COPRANET
Presentation of proposals deriving from the simulation session on community planning
Information session on the ICZM Stocktaking Report on Greece.
Programming Session for COPRANET partners. Followed by dinner.
Tuesday, June 14
Departure of participants
The Coastal Practice Network is an Interreg IIIC project (COPRANET), which has the aim of developing a network of coastal practitioners and stakeholders to exchange information and best practice on ICZM and more specifically on sustainable tourism and erosion. It will run for three years until December 2006 but the network partnership will operate autonomously from that point on.
The network has its origins in the EC ICZM Strategy and the subsequent EU
Recommendation on ICZM. It is anticipated that the COPRANET project will form the basis of an expanded and permanent coastal practitioners network as envisaged in the EC Strategy.
The objective of COPRANET is to promote the exchange of good ICZM-practices between the partners, to produce an international quality label for tourism destinations based upon sustainability and a multilingual guide for beach management & coastal erosion .
These outputs will be realized by three conferences and ten workshops, like the one organized in
Sifnos island. In addition, there will also be a multi-lingual website and newsletters (both in at least six languages, including Greek), a database of ICZM projects in Europe with a multilingual interface, an ICZM glossary embracing new software and examples of good ICZM practice.

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network (MEDSOS) in an environmental NGO active since 1990 on the protection of the marine/ coastal environment and cultural diversity, as well as the promotion of sustainable development in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Towards that end
MEDSOS undertakes: awareness activities by using various means of the information society
(printed, electronic, audiovisual material) and outreach methods (conferences, colloquia, concerts, photo-exhibitions, wooden boat, etc); deliberative community planning processes; capacity building (education and training) on environmental planning and green employment for adults (unemployed), youth and other marginal groups; youth work development on active citizenship; networking and building of partnerships with coastal practitioners and other stakeholders (local authorities, NGOs, universities, labor unions, etc) from local to international levels; environmental advocacy and consulting.
Other details:
Participants will be informed about accommodation options and ship timetables to and from
Sifnos island in due time.
A more detailed programme will be provided by email to all registered participants by the second half of May.
All participants will be provided with materials to follow the different sessions. After the workshop a CD including the workshop materials and the conclusions and lessons learnt will be produced and sent to all participants.
For further information about Sifnos Island, please visit the Municipality’s webpage: http://www.sifnos.gr/en/home.html
Please contact us in case you need any other details.
Michalis Theodoropoulos / Nikos Chrysoyelos
MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
Mamai st., Athens 10440, Greece
Tel/Fax: +30 210 8224481 and +30 210 8228795
Emails: medsos@medsos.gr
/ nikos@ecorec.gr

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
International Workshop
“Participatory planning tools and methods for sustainable management of marine, coastal and island resources”
Sifnos island, 10-14 June, 2005
Please complete this Registration Form for every delegate.
The workshop is set for a maximum number of 50 participants (including CoPraNet members and Non-CoPraNet members). Reservations will be done on a “first come first served” basis.
The registration form should be fully completed and returned to Michalis Theodoropoulos
( medsos@medsos.gr
) by April 15 th
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Institution: _________________________________________________________
Full address: ________________________________________________________
VAT nr. __________________
Phone: __________________________ Fax: ______________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________________
Accommodation:
Delegates will be responsible for their travelling and accommodation expenses. The workshop organisers will pre-book a number of rooms in various accommodation options, with varying costs. Please do not forget to indicate your arrival and departure dates, in order to make the definite bookings and keep reduced fees.
Board and lodging requirements:
- Single/Double room for individual use (breakfast and lunch included):
- Double room for double use (breakfast and lunch included):
Arrival day: c 9 th
June (recommended) c other, _____________
Departure day: please indicate ____________________________
Please, indicate any personal requirements (meals, rooms, mobility or other):
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________ continued…

MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network
3 Mamai st., Athens 10440 Greece
Tel/ Fax: 0030 210 8224481 medsos@medsos.gr/ www.medsos.gr
Presentations at the seminar sessions:
Participants are invited to present case studies and good practice examples to fulfill the networks’ aims. Please include an abstract ( maximum 500 words ) of the work that is going to be presented orally or in written form outlining the results that will be shown.
All attendees preparing oral presentations ( 15-minute, PowerPoint format ) or articles
( maximum 6000 words, single spaced ) connected to the workshop theme, please do not forget to send us the abstract before the 15 th
of April .
We welcome written submissions for case studies on participatory processes, tools and methods in the context of ICZM even if there will be no physical representation in the workshop.
Title of presentation:___________________________________________________