Month: March 2026

The project strengthens its alliances to ensure that coastal adaptation to climate change is built on active listening and citizen participation

Brussels / Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, March 26, 2026. Today, coinciding with the celebration of World Climate Day, the LIFE COSTAdapta project, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, highlights the essential role of citizen participation in climate change adaptation. With this goal in mind, last Thursday, Yolanda Durán, Communications Manager at the Finnova Foundation, held a strategic meeting with Rayco and Eneritz, community participation leaders from the Welcome to San Borondón agency.

This working session made it possible to advance coordination between both entities and reinforce the synergies between the project’s European institutional communication and the local, visual, and community-based approach developed by this agency to bring the initiative closer to the residents of the affected areas.

Synergies for closer and more effective communication

During the meeting, joint lines of work were discussed to ensure that information about LIFE COSTAdapta reaches the residents of the intervention areas in a clear, accessible, and understandable way. It was agreed to integrate the strategic communication led by Finnova with the participatory formats promoted by Welcome to San Borondón, such as audiovisual materials, community dynamics, and visual content adapted to the territory.

Integrating diverse territorial sensitivities

A central point of the meeting was the need to work with all local stakeholders to ensure that coastal adaptation is built on consensus. The areas where the project will be implemented concentrate highly diverse coastal uses; therefore, citizen participation will be essential to identify concerns, resolve doubts, and ensure that the proposed solutions respond to the real needs of the territory.

The team agreed to strengthen communication channels and design specific actions to bring the project closer to the affected parties, promoting a transparent and participatory process.

Next steps and follow-up meetings

The meeting also allowed for the planning of upcoming follow-up meetings, which will guarantee continuous coordination between the teams. This roadmap will make it possible to adapt the communication and dissemination of the project to each specific location, taking into account the social, cultural, and environmental particularities of each coastal area.

Connecting with affected stakeholders: a project priority

One of the central axes of the meeting was the need to bring the project closer to the neighbors living on the coastline, who will be the main beneficiaries of the adaptation solutions. Welcome to San Borondón shared its experience in participatory methodologies that facilitate the understanding of the project and foster real community involvement.

This vision reinforces the central message of LIFE COSTAdapta: coastal adaptation is not just a technical intervention, but a social process that must be built together with citizens to effectively tackle climate change.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

The LIFE COSTAdapta project, coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC), has a budget of EUR 3 337 563, 60% co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme. Its objective is to develop an innovative tidal pool-reef methodology, combining traditional and modern techniques to strengthen coastal protection and conserve both the natural environment and the tourism economy.

The consortium is made up of: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), University of Cantabria (UC), INGECID, Raley Estudios Costeros, ECOncrete AQUA, Canary Islands Foundation for Recycling and Sustainable Development (FCR), and the Finnova Foundation.

Represented by the Finnova Foundation at European Ocean Days, the project strengthens alliances with leaders from DG MARE, Copernicus, and EMODnet to boost data-driven coastal resilience

Brussels, March 9, 2026 – The LIFE COSTAdapta project, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, concluded its participation last week in the European Ocean Days held in Brussels and organized by the European Commission. This annual event brought together the key players in ocean governance, the blue economy, and marine observation within the European Union.

The week was highlighted by the announcement made by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who introduced OceanEye, a new global observation network designed to close marine data gaps and improve the capacity to anticipate extreme weather events. Von der Leyen emphasized that “the basis for our success is science,” highlighting the role of sensors and accurate data in protecting homes and economies.

At the opening of the sessions, Delilah al Khudhairy, Director for Maritime Policy and Blue Economy, insisted on the need for greater coordination between countries—a message that directly connects with COSTAdapta’s resilience objectives.

High-Level Strategic Meetings

The project was represented by Pilar Santamaría, Communications Director at the Finnova Foundation, and Elisenda Forés, Communication Junior. Leveraging Finnova’s permanent presence in Brussels, COSTAdapta developed an intense working agenda aimed at aligning its innovation in Gran Canaria with European priorities in marine observation and data.

Throughout the week, the team held strategic meetings with key representatives from European institutions and technical agencies:

• Andreea Strachinescu, Head of Unit at DG MARE (Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment).
• Jacques Delsalle, Policy Officer at DG ENV (Directorate-General for Environment).
• Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General at DG MARE.
• Jose Miguel Rubio Iglesias, Coordinator of In-Situ Component at Copernicus (European Environment Agency).
• Matteo Mikos, Junior GIS Project Officer at EMODnet.

These stakeholders agreed that protecting Europe’s coastline requires not only technical solutions but also genuine coordination between marine regions and an effective data-sharing mechanism that connects local efforts with global goals. This vision validates COSTAdapta’s Tidal Pool-Reef methodology, which is based on scientific monitoring and nature-based solutions.

Participation in the European Ocean Days also allowed for the consolidation of alliances with the CINEA agency and other stakeholders in the marine ecosystem, reinforcing COSTAdapta’s role as a benchmark project in coastal adaptation and ocean governance within the European Union.

About LIFE COSTAdapta

 The project has a budget of EUR 3 337 563, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme. The consortium is composed of: EnergiaGran, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), University of Cantabria, Ingecid, Raley, Econcrete, Canarias Recicla, and Finnova.