The Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC) is a network of experts focused on promoting sustainable coastal development across Europe and beyond. Founded in 1989 in the Netherlands, it connects scientists, environmentalists, planners, and policymakers to share best practices in coastal and marine management. Now the largest network of its kind, EUCC has extensive experience in integrated coastal management and promotes the exchange of knowledge on coastal and marine processes and management strategies.
The Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC), founded in 1989, is a leading network driving sustainable coastal development across Europe. It connects experts to share best practices and exchange insights on coastal and marine management.
Our Mission
EUCC's mission is to promote coastal and marine management that balances biodiversity conservation with sustainable development, protecting landscapes, cultural heritage, and coastal communities in the face of climate change. EUCC advances best practices by shaping policies, engaging experts, offering advice, and leading targeted initiatives. While focused on Europe, EUCC collaborates with NGOs and networks beyond the EU.
NGO Role
EUCC has consistently served as a central European NGO platform for sustainable coastal and marine management. Since the 1990s, we’ve been involved in numerous European programs and projects, working to ensure that information, lessons learned, and best practices remain accessible even after projects conclude. In this way, EUCC acts as the key ‘institutional memory’ for Europe’s coasts and waters.
EUCC's Key References in the EU Coastal Planning & Management
EUROSION: A European initiative for sustainable coastal erosion management. A considerable amount of the European Union’s coast is currently eroding despite the development of a wide range of measures to protect shorelines from eroding and flooding. The prospect of further sea level rise due to climate change and the heritage of mismanagement in the past imply that coastal erosion will be a growing concern in the future. This has been the largest coastal erosion assessment ever done in the European coasts. EUCC was responsible for various aspects of the project, and in particular for the edition of the Policy recommendations – final report, available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese language @ http://www.eurosion.org/
OURCOAST was a three-year initiative commissioned by the Directorate General (DG) Environment of the European Commission to support and ensure the exchange of experiences and best practices in coastal planning and management.
Key OURCOAST publications produced by EUCC:
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Brochure on OURCOAST Outcomes and Lessons Learned: This final brochure presented the outcomes of the OURCOAST initiative, main lessons learned and recommendations for the future of ICZM in Europe. Brochure on Information and technology in ICZM practices around Europe. This brochure is dedicated to share experiences and best practices dealing with the technology and knowledge applied in ICZM.
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Brochure on SOCIO-ECONOMIC benefits from ICZM practices around Europe. This brochure presents the examples of socio-economic gains for different sectors in the coastal zone as well as the factors necessary to achieve these benefits.
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Brochure on Participation practices in Europe. The brochure provides a selection of illustrative cases, practical examples of how public and stakeholder participation can be put into practice.
Various initiatives and projects implemented by EUCC and others are available online at the EUCC Thematic databases hosted by EUCC Germany.
EUCC’s Field of Work
Land & Sea Interactions
Since its founding in 1989, EUCC has been at the forefront of developing and implementing Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) approaches across Europe. As an observer in the Member States Expert Group on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSEG on MSP), we leverage our strong position to support both Member States and the European Commission by providing valuable access to knowledge and expertise, aiding in the implementation of the MSP Directive. Our extensive expert network, specializing in land-sea interactions, is fully prepared to assist in achieving the Directive's objectives and requirements.
Marine Strategy
EUCC has been actively involved in the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) from the outset, with a particular focus on the issues of marine litter and underwater noise. Member States are responsible for designing and implementing monitoring and programmes of measures for these key areas. In this regard, they rely heavily on the recommendations of technical groups, where EUCC has played a key role as an expert member, actively supporting the work of both the TG Marine Litter and TG Underwater Noise. To strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and across sectors, while advancing the core principles of a circular economy.
Climate Change Adaptation
The EUCC network is a strong advocate for the advancement of EU climate change policies, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation. Drawing on deep our expertise in coastal and marine ecosystems, we play an active role in advancing biodiversity conservation, regional planning for Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), while also fostering broad collaboration and the practical exchange of nature-based solutions. Our dedication to these areas will continue to guide our contributions moving forward.