A PROactive approach for COmmunities to enAble Societal Transformation

Project Information

PRO-COAST

Grant agreement ID: 101082327

DOI

10.3030/101082327

EC signature date 1 December 2023

Start date 1 November 2023

End date 31 October 2026

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 3 285 362,50

EU contribution

€ 3 285 362,50

Coordinated by

EUROPEAN SUSTAINABLE USE GROUP
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PRO-COAST (A PROactive approach for COmmunities to enAble Societal Transformation)

Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

PRO-COAST (A PROactive approach for COmmunities to enAble Societal Transformation) is an ambitious 36-month European Union-funded research initiative. The project aims to develop and validate a comprehensive framework for guiding biodiversity conservation through community-led transformative change across European coastal ecosystems.

The project addresses the critical challenge of coastal biodiversity loss through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that combines ecological science with human behavioural research. PRO-COAST employs Elinor Ostrom's Social-Ecological Systems Framework (SESF) to understand the complex interactions between human communities and coastal environments. The initiative is structured around 10 diverse case studies spanning from Mediterranean islands to Northern European coastal areas, each representing unique socio-ecological contexts and conservation challenges.

The project's methodology centres on six core research questions that integrate sociology, environmental psychology, governance research, and political ecology. This comprehensive approach enables the development of scalable, bottom-up conservation strategies that can be replicated across different European coastal contexts.

The expected impact lies in fostering community-led conservation strategies that balance human use with biodiversity protection, contributing directly to EU priorities on nature restoration and climate adaptation while empowering local communities to lead transformative change.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first 18 months (November 2023–April 2025), the project has made strong technical and scientific progress:

Theoretical Framework Development (WP2)
The project has successfully established a robust interdisciplinary foundation through six comprehensive literature reviews addressing biodiversity loss impacts, governance structures, community roles, and transformative change mechanisms. A shared conceptual glossary has been developed to facilitate cross-disciplinary communication, and a comprehensive Research Toolbox has been created to ensure methodological consistency across all case studies.

Biodiversity Management Innovation (WP3)
A key development has been the creation of the Conservation & Human-use Index (CHI), a multi-parameter assessment tool designed to identify conflicts and synergies between conservation objectives and human coastal use. This scalable index represents a practical application of the SESF framework and provides a standardized approach for monitoring biodiversity conservation progress across diverse coastal contexts.

Framework Operationalization (WP4)
The project has successfully translated theoretical concepts into practical implementation tools. Key outputs include stakeholder mapping methodologies, participatory engagement protocols, and Theory U-inspired collaborative tools that enable transformative community processes. These tools have been applied across all case studies to ensure consistent stakeholder engagement approaches.

Case Study Implementation (WP5)
All 10 case studies have established baseline conditions and begun implementing interventions ranging from ghost fishing equipment removal in Norway to mass tourism impact mitigation on Mediterranean islands. Each case study has developed context-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) while maintaining alignment with the overall project framework. Progress varies across sites, reflecting different starting conditions and stakeholder environments.

Stakeholder Engagement and Behavioural Change (WP6)
A comprehensive behavioural survey has been developed and deployed, collecting approximately 600 responses across all case studies. This scientifically robust instrument measures values, trust, identity, emotions, and environmental behaviours using validated scales. Change agents have been identified and trained in each case study, with ongoing support provided through bilateral meetings, thematic workshops, and an active online forum.

Ethical considerations have been thoroughly addressed, with comprehensive training provided to all partners and institutional approval obtained for all research activities involving human participants.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

PRO-COAST represents an innovative integration of environmental science with individual-level behavioural research, implementing Ostrom's SESF framework at a substantial scale. The project's innovations include:

• Methodological Integration: Successful combination of ecological monitoring with behavioural science approaches across multiple cultural and linguistic contexts
• Scalable Assessment Tools: Development of transferable instruments like the CHI that can be applied beyond the project's case studies
• Participatory Governance: Implementation of Theory U and Kotter's change management principles in environmental conservation contexts
• Multilingual Platform Development: Creation of infrastructure for extensive European outreach through a Community Sustainability Platform (CUSP)

The second half of the project will focus on validating and refining the developed tools, conducting comprehensive impact assessments across case studies, and preparing for large-scale replication. Key upcoming activities include:
• Completion of the Integrated Assessment Methodology for measuring intervention impacts
• Validation and calibration of the Conservation & Human-use Index across all case studies
• Development of policy guidelines and replication manuals
• Testing of the CUSP platform with broader European communities
• Preparation of comprehensive scientific publications and policy recommendations

The project's sustainability strategy centres on the CUSP platform, which will continue operating until at least 2033, providing ongoing support for community-led conservation initiatives across Europe.