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.