ENCORA aims
The ENCORA project has been initiated to improve sharing of knowledge and experience within Europe, in two respects:

• Overcome existing fragmentation of coastal expertise.In all European coastal states many institutions are engaged in coastal and marine studies related to science, practice or policy. Together these institutions constitute a huge resource of knowledge and experience. However, as much work is done in isolation, this resource is not fully exploited.
• Better exploit scientific knowledge in practice. Scientific knowledge is communicated mainly among fellow experts; scientific publications focus on specific disciplinary aspects and are almost inaccessible to non-expert coastal and marine professionals. Existing publication practices are not appropriate for passing on new insight to practice.

Therefore ENCORA organises a number of services enabling coastal professionals to take better advantage of existing knowledge resources in Europe, for tackling the challenges posed by the future of our coasts. These services are being implemented by Coordination Offices, which have been established in 18 European countries and rely on National Networks, Thematic Networks and Affiliated Networks.