– EmpowerUs has been more than a project

Project manager Maiken Bjørkan in action during EmpowerUs' closing conference in Brussels. Photo: Northern Norway's European Office

The EU project EmpowerUs recently held its closing event in Brussels, where important results and future directions for sustainable coastal communities were discussed.

The project is coordinated by Nordland Research Institute and will conclude in September after three years. The event, moderated by Maiken Bjørkan, brought together leading experts and decision-makers from various European projects.

Kieran Coleman, Policy Officer at DG Research and Innovation, opened the conference by emphasizing the importance of including local institutions and communities in the projects. 

– He pointed out that EmpowerUs has contributed to strengthening ties between people and highlighted the need to build on the project's results to create resilient coastal communities, says project manager Cecilie Bratt from Nordland Research Institute . 

Monica Veronesi from FAMENET discussed how community-based development strategies can be applied to support sustainable fisheries areas, and she shared experiences on how local communities can be mobilized to take part in development processes.

Knowledge Park Helgeland and Nordlandsforskning participants in the EmpowerUs project gathered in Brussels. Photo: Northern Norway's European Office

More than a project

Two panel discussions covered critical topics such as why social science is important for maritime policy, with participation from other EU projects such as ProCoast and CrossGov. 

– The experts discussed barriers for local communities, the need for participation and the importance of creating a holistic approach to ocean management, says Bratt. 

During the second part of the day, through an interactive coastal café, participants had the opportunity to explore EmpowerUs results and engage with project activities and methods. The six countries that have served as pilots throughout the project also offered local food and drinks as an extra highlight of the experience.

– The event ended with a pleasant mingling, where participants could discuss collaboration and future prospects for a more sustainable relationship with our oceans and coasts, says Bratt. 

– EmpowerUs has proven to be more than a project; it is an initiative for change, aiming to improve the lives of those living along Europe's coastline.