Project overview
CAMP Italy was implemented in three coastal regions—Emilia-Romagna, Sardinia, and Tuscany—selected following a national Feasibility Study involving all Italian coastal regions. These areas represent diverse coastal challenges and opportunities and were chosen for their potential to serve as models for integrated management at both regional and national levels. Among the key challenges, the project focused on several governance-related issues, such as:
- Lack of a central authority or dedicated coastal management body – absence of a national coastal law
- Fragmented governance across sectors (e.g. environment, agriculture, fisheries, tourism,
infrastructure) - Sectoral implementation of coastal management with limited integration
These institutional challenges called for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach in line with the ICZM Protocol and EU ICZM Recommendation (2002).
Key objectives
The project aimed to promote national ICZM strategies and test integrated coastal management practices in a multi-regional context. Its strategic goals included:
- Implementing the ICZM Protocol and EU ICZM principles
- Improving coordination across institutions and governance levels
- Managing marine uses (e.g. seabed mining, fish farming)
- Preserving cultural and environmental heritage and landscapes
- Diversifying tourism based on environmental and cultural values
- Restoring and protecting coastal ecosystems, especially around river mouths
- Mapping territorial assets and challenges to guide future development
- Defining scenario-based policy approaches to address evolving coastal pressures
Results and outputs
The project was structured around two main components. In addition to horizontal activities (across all regions) such as capacity building, data collection, institutional coordination, and stakeholder participation, the region-specific activities focused on:
- Enhancing coordination capabilities
- Safeguarding ecosystem services
- Assessing the sustainability of socio-economic activities
CAMP Italy adopted a Green Project Management model—referred to as “Tavolo CAMP”—embedding environmental responsibility into every aspect of project design and implementation.
The approach promoted:
- “Greenthinking” in planning and decision-making
- Environmentally friendly practices (e.g. reducing traffic emissions, adopting paperless systems)
- Sustainable methods aligned with ICZM principles
This commitment to ecological sustainability made CAMP Italy a pioneer among CAMP projects in applying green project management practices.
Follow-up
CAMP Italy contributed valuable experience to national and regional ICZM implementation. The project’s tools, methodologies, and green practices serve as replicable models for other regions. Continued coordination and policy integration are essential for maintaining momentum and embedding ICZM into Italy’s long-term coastal planning framework. Also, a need for stronger cross-border cooperation and new approaches, such as MSP, opened the way for a new, cross-border CAMP Otranto between Italy and Albania.
