COAST- Co-Ordinated Action For Seaside Towns
The
challenges faced by coastal areas are unique being brought about by a
combination of economic employment and environmental
problems.
Environment versus
Development
Coastal areas rely on the quality
of their local environment for their economic well-being. Economic development
undertaken to meet the needs of mass tourism often has devastating effects on
the natural environment. The need for sustainable development is a key challenge
facing coastal regions today.
Tourism - Peaks
and Troughs
Coastal towns are often highly
dependent on a single industry - tourism. The tourism industry is highly
competitive and subject to rapid change - increasing competition from South East
Asia and North America makes European seaside towns and coastal areas
increasingly vulnerable in a volatile market place. These areas need to adapt in
order to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market place which is
characterised by increasing globalisation and ever-higher customer
expectations.
Employment
The seasonal nature of
tourism creates enormous pressures during the peak season resulting in the
deterioration of the local infrastructure. It also heavily affects employment
which is often biased towards the service sector, with many businesses being
directly or indirectly dependent on tourism. The employment opportunities
available are characteristically seasonal, poorly paid and part-time and there
is little or no manufacturing base or indigenous skills on which to develop new
opportunities. Many towns find it difficult to provide year-round employment and
to escape the socio-economic problems caused by seasonal
employment.
Peripherality
Coastal towns are often
located at a distance from major economic centres and are characterised by poor
external transport and telecommunications links. This provides a disincentive
for businesses and industries and as a result, coastal regions suffer from a
lack of inward investment. In addition, coastal areas often border rural
hinterlands and face traditional problems of rurality
Changing Populations
A high proportion
of properties in coastal towns are second homes which remain vacant over long
periods of time. This produces seasonal fluctuations in the demand for products
and services and the pressures placed on local infrastructure. This affects both
local employment patterns as well as the overall level of services available to
the local population.
As people choose to retire to
the seaside, coastal areas are characterised by an increasingly ageing
population. This places additional demands on hospitals and care
facilities.
COAST has responded to these challenges by providing a forum through
which seaside towns and coastal regions can work together to tackle common
challenges.
COAST's Targets:
- improve the competitive potential of, and opportunities for,
small and medium
- enterprises (SMEs) in seaside towns
- improve the potential of human resources in seaside areas and
combat the problems caused by fluctuating seasonal employment through joint
projects for individual and SME training exchanges
- analyse and develop approaches to broadening the economic
base in seaside areas
- exchange experience and involve other seaside areas in the
work of COAST
COAST is a non profit-making association operating under Belgian law,
completely financed by the membership fees paid by its members. Overseen by an
Executive Committee, the network activities are divided into specialised Working
Groups, examining specific policy areas such as Tourism, Planning &
Infrastructure, Transport and Environment. Each working group is chaired by a
founder member of the network, with the position of Honorary Chairman being held
by a key Commission official or MEP specialising in that field. The chairman of
each Working Group reports to the Executive Committee and the Technical
Assistance Office.
While policy decisions can only be
taken by the Executive Committee, a Steering Group (comprising representatives
of both Executive Committee, Technical Assistance Office and all Working Groups)
meets at regular intervals in order to provide an overview of current work,
prepare for presentations to the Executive Committee and to solve small-scale
interim problems.
- The Technical Assistance Office
(TAO)
The overall administrative and
financial management of the COAST network is undertaken by the Technical
Assistance Office which is based in Brussels. The TAO acts as the central hub of
the network, maintaining links between network partners themselves and between
the network and the European Union institutions.
In
addition to administering the work of both Executive Committee, Steering Group
and Working Groups, the TAO is also responsible for the dissemination of
information on all aspects of policy affecting coastal areas. One of its primary
functions is to keep network partners regularly appraised of potential EU
funding opportunities through the dissemination of official documentation
relating to calls for proposals relating to the main EU programmes. These
services are supplemented by the organisation of information visits and meetings
with EU officials.
COAST means:
1. European
Information: analysis, reports
2.
Meetings with European Union officials
3.
Development and implementation of common
projects
4. Exchange
of experience in central areas (SMEs, sustainable development, environmental
pollution, tourism development, regional development, etc.)
5. Local development expertise for the European
Commission
- Services provided to
Members
1. Direct
links with European Union institutions
2.
Advice and technical expertise in developing common
projects
3. Organisation of seminars
and workshops to promote exchanges of experience among members and to promote
the work of COAST to outside parties
4.
Dissemination of information concerning conferences, EU programmes and
policies, funding opportunities, etc.
Should you
require any further information concerning the services supplied to members of
the COAST network, please do not hesitate to contact the COAST Technical
Assistance Office at the address below.
Information Source
Prepared by
...
COAST
34/36 Rue Breydel, 1040 Brussels,
Belgium
Telephone
+32 2 280 02 34 Facsimile
+32- 2 23048 75
E-Mail
[email protected]