In late September and early October 2025, Cagliari, Sardinia, became the meeting point for partners of the INCORE-MED – Inclusive Coastal Resilience in the Euro-MED project.
Hosted by the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, with the support of the IUAV University of Venice, the four-day gathering (30 September – 3 October) brought together teams from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Croatia for the project’s first in-person meeting and a hands-on SWAP (Scenario Workshops and Adaptation Pathways) training.
Bringing coastal management closer to communities
INCORE-MED is an Interreg Euro-MED project that aims to connect Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) through participatory and nature-based approaches. The project focuses on a shared Mediterranean challenge: limited public participation in coastal and marine governance, which can weaken climate adaptation efforts. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, INCORE-MED seeks to empower institutions and communities to co-design resilient coastal futures.
Four pilot sites across the Mediterranean
The second part of the Cagliari meeting was dedicated to a hands-on SWAP training, facilitated by an expert from Portugal. The session introduced partners to participatory tools designed to help local stakeholders explore future climate and socio-economic scenarios, identify vulnerabilities, and co-develop adaptation pathways
Day one focused on understanding how the SWAP method can guide participatory planning processes, while day two explored how it can be applied in practice. In Sardinia, one of INCORE-MED’s four pilot sites, the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna and the IUAV University of Venice will apply the SWAP approach within Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to co-produce nature-based solutions and adaptation actions tailored to local coastal and marine contexts.
A parallel SWAP process will take place in Catalonia (Spain), focusing on local priorities for climate adaptation and sustainable coastal planning.
As part of its participatory approach, the project will also set up two Democracy Labs (DLabs) in Kaštela (Croatia) and the Algarve (Portugal) to explore innovative ways of involving citizens in coastal decision-making.
Together, these four pilot sites represent the diversity of Mediterranean coasts — from island regions to urban bays and touristic shorelines — and will serve as living laboratories for participatory innovation.
PAP/RAC’s contribution and next steps
For PAP/RAC, the event was an opportunity to contribute its long-standing experience in ICZM and MSP, and to support the exchange of ideas among partners who share a common goal: making Mediterranean coasts more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient.
As the project moves forward, the insights gained in Sardinia will guide the next stages of implementation and strengthen collaboration across all four pilot sites.
Follow the project updates on the Interreg Euro-MED website
