Important links

International organizations

• Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Established in 1991, GEF is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities.

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP is the voice for the environment in the United Nations system. It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet's natural assets for sustainable development. UNEP's mission is "to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations."

• COASTMAN -International Training Network for ICZM

• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

European organizations

• The Coastal Management Centre (PAP/RAC)

• EUCC -The Coastal Union

European network of coastal practitioners promoting coastal and marine management that integrates biodiversity conservation with those forms of development that sustain the integrity of landscapes, the cultural heritage and the social fabric of our coasts taking into account the effects of climate change.

• inWent Capacity Building International

InWEnt is a very large-scale joint undertaking of the German Federal Government, the federal state (Länder) governments and industry. InWent training courses address specialists, executives and decision-makers in industry, politics, administration and civil society.

• the Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE)

An independent not-for-profit organisation and policy research institute, established in 1993 as an initiative of Members of the European Parliament to promote a European Maritime strategy.

Research centres and institutes

• Coastal Resources Centre, University of Rhode Island, USA

Implementing coastal management projects in the field, building capacity through education and training, and sharing lessons learned and information throughout the coastal community are the foundation of the Coastal Resources Center’s work.

• Centre for Coastal Studies, Simon Fraser University, Canada

It promotes interdisciplinary research, education and dialogue on Canada's coastal ecosystems, particularly those in British Columbia. By linking social and natural science with local knowledge, the Centre focuses on three key themes, namely: 1. marine conservation; 2. sustainable coastal communities and economies; and 3. building resource management capacity (government, community, academic).

It also coordinates the Linking Science and Local Knowledge: Building Capacity for Integrated and Sustainable Management of Coastal Resources node of the DFO/SSHRC national Ocean Management Research Network. The main objective of this node is to link scientific knowledge with local knowledge for improved, sustainable oceans and coastal management, and to assist Fisheries and Oceans Canada with an ecosystem approach to ocean resource management.

Training sites

• Mediterranean ICAM clearing house

Launched by the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) of UNEP-MAP with financial support of the European Commission. The main goal of launching this site, which has been built , is to improve information on the Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) in the Mediterranean. With this mechanism, PAP/RAC hopes to provide information, strengthen co-operation and networking among the coastal management community members, as well as to provide assistance to the improvement of the coastal management in the Mediterranean.

• Accelerating Learning in ICZM by Generating an Adaptive European Network (ALING)

The main objective of ALIGN is to strengthen the scientific excellence on ICZM through the establishment of a network of excellence. ALIGN aims to improve ICZM practices for the sustainable management of European coasts and seas, through innovative interaction in a multidisciplinary network, which will address the pressures and multiple-use conflicts of the coastal zone.

• MedOpen

Virtual Training Course on Intergrated Coastal Area Management. Target users of MedOpen are decision makers (at the local, national, regional, and international level), policy advisors, project managers, staff and experts from international organisations and institutions, academic researchers, students, and all others interested in coastal management.

• CoastLearn EUCC

A multimedia distance training package on Integrated Coastal Zone Management

• IKZM-D LERNEN

An free of charge online learning system, which consists of independent online study, information and teaching modules, dealing with the coast and the sea in general and with Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in particular. Modules are in German - in English soon.

• UN Atlas of the Oceans

An information system designed for use by policy makers who need to become familiar with ocean issues and by scientists, students and resource managers who need access to underlying data bases and approaches to sustainability.

• OceanTeacher

A training resource for Data&Information management related to Oceanography and Marine Meteorology.

• EUCC-DE Database

The database contains world-wide coastal (and marine) education and training programs, summer schools and courses. All events have applied or management aspects.

Important events

• COAST DAY

Coast Day is a unique event in the Mediterranean. It aims to raise awareness of policy makers and the public of the value of the coast, as well as of applying an integrated approach to planning and management of the coastal zone.

• G8-UNESCO World Forum on 'Education, Research and Innovation: New Partnership for Sustainable Development'

The Forum builds on the discussion launched at the St. Petersburg summit on the interconnections between the three components of the triangle of knowledge—education, scientific research and technological innovation—from the perspective of sustainable development, and seeks to identify risks and opportunities for industrialized countries as well as developing and low-income countries.

Roadmap for Capacity Building for ICZM

List of articles on Capacity Building for ICZM

Capacity Building Network main page