[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.34)” background_image=”https:\/\/coastday.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artboard-2-copy-2-copia-2.png” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” custom_margin=”||-16px|||” custom_padding=”||69px||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”wave” bottom_divider_color=”#0B4597″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/coastday.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/LOGO-COAST-DAY-bianco-scaled.png” alt=”LOGO COAST DAY” title_text=”LOGO-COAST-DAY-bianco” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” max_height=”195px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#0B4597″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#1892D1″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#0b4597 3%|#1892d1 100%” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||100px||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”wave” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”28px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”19px|0px|19px|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”10px|4px|10px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Slovenia: When 1\/1000 of the Mediterranean coast becomes a model for the region\u2019s future<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin_phone=”-18px||||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/coastday.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Photo-2-scaled.jpg” alt=”PAP\/RAC National Focal Points meeting, 1980s” title_text=”Photo 2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”off|100px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_line_height=”1.3em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A former state road along the coastal cities of Koper and Izola, now repurposed for recreational use [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||40px|||” custom_padding=”|40px|2px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|2px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|40px|2px|||”]<\/p>\n The Mediterranean today is faced with sea-level rise, ecological degradation, and unsustainable development, but one small country has redefined what coastal leadership looks like. With just over 46 kilometres of shoreline – a mere 1\/1000 of the Mediterranean coast – Slovenia dared to ask: could a small state catalyze change for the entire region?<\/p>\n The answer, it turns out, was yes – and it\u2019s because of how Slovenia embraced and led the implementation of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) under the Barcelona Convention. What began with visionary planning became a structural shift for nature and society, setting the pace for regional action and influencing European coastal policy.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”27px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||36px|||” custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Where it all began<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It all began in Portoro\u017e in 2005, when Slovenia hosted the 14th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention. There, the first-ever Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development was adopted, paving the way for the ICZM Protocol – hailed by UNEP\/MAP as \u201cthe Protocol of a New Generation\u201d. This groundbreaking legal instrument brought together climate adaptation, biodiversity protection and land-sea planning under a single regional framework \u2013 the first of its kind.<\/p>\n And no country championed the Protocol more than Slovenia. In 2008, it led the way to the Protocol\u2019s signature in Madrid and became its first ratifier the following year; a milestone now marked annually on 25 September as Mediterranean Coast Day.<\/p>\n But what followed was more than celebration \u2013 a successful implementation.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#1892D1″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”off||100px||” global_colors_info=”{}” border_radii_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_radii_tablet=”off||0px||” sticky_enabled=”0″ border_radii_phone=”off||0px||”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/coastday.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Photo-1.jpg” title_text=”Photo 1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”off|||50px|” global_colors_info=”{}” border_radii_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_radii_tablet=”off|||50px|” sticky_enabled=”0″ border_radii_phone=”off|||50px|”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”2px||82px|||” custom_padding=”|0px|2px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin_tablet=”2px||15px||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin_phone=”2px||15px||false|false”]<\/p>\n Vision 1\/1000 of the Mediterranean: from imagination to action<\/strong><\/p>\n Through a new Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP Slovenia), the country set out to apply the Protocol\u2019s principles in real life. Municipalities, ministries, scientists, and civil society worked side-by-side to sketch a new future, literally. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”|132px||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_padding_tablet=”|132px||||”]<\/p>\n Poster illustrating the development vision for the Slovenian coast, created as part of the CAMP project [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”22px|-50px|1px|||” custom_padding=”|51px|2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This bold vision sparked a series of real-world achievements:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px||17px||false|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||1px|||” custom_padding=”||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Institutions that inspire<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Behind these successes are institutions with a long-term vision. The Izola Public Institute for Entrepreneurship and the EUSAIR (<\/strong>EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region) Facility Point have helped translate Slovenia\u2019s early ambition into cross-border collaboration. By aligning ICZM, marine spatial planning (MSP), and river basin management, they helped build a living system of blue and green corridors, also by providing more space for water.<\/p>\n For more than a decade, Izola has hosted Mediterranean Coast Week, connecting science, policy, economy, and community voices around shared challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”43px||5px|||” custom_padding=”||2px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin_tablet=”1px||5px||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin_phone=”1px||5px||false|false”]<\/p>\n Slovenia\u2019s steady, principle-driven approach has had ripple effects far beyond its borders:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”2px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/coastday.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Photo-5.png” alt=”PAP\/RAC National Focal Points meeting, 1980s” title_text=”Photo 5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”off|100px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” border_radii_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_phone=”off|0px|||” sticky_enabled=”0″ border_radii_tablet=”off|100px|||”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_line_height=”1.3em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A proactive ICZM approach<\/strong> \u2013 from EUSAIR Blue-Green Corridors to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”9px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Marko Prem” job_title=”Deputy Director” company_name=”PAP\/RAC” quote_icon_color=”#0B4597″ quote_icon_background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” font_icon=”C||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”80px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#0B4597″ body_font_size=”20px” body_line_height=”1.4em” author_text_color=”#0B4597″ author_font_size=”16px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.84)” custom_margin=”|170px||||” custom_margin_tablet=”|13px|||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_style=”slide” border_radii=”off|50px||100px|” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n “At COP 23 of the Barcelona Convention, the region formally acknowledged what Slovenia had demonstrated: ICZM and MSP are not just tools. They are essential for a green and blue transition”.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”4px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”14px||11px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” custom_margin_phone=”0px|0px|0px|-19px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n People power and the role of youth<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This momentum wouldn\u2019t have been possible without trust and collaboration – across ministries, sectors, borders, and generations. Slovenia understood early that the Mediterranean\u2019s greatest strength lies in its diversity – of ecosystems, economies, and cultures, and that sustainable planning must reflect that richness.<\/p>\n Mitja Bricelj – a key figure in Slovenia\u2019s coastal transformation \u2013 is clear: \u201cThe future of our coasts won\u2019t be written in conference rooms alone. It depends on young people stepping forward – not just as participants, but as planners, innovators, and decision-makers. They must see themselves as co-owners of the Mediterranean\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n This is why youth and civil society have been actively involved throughout the process, from contributing ideas to driving local implementation. It\u2019s also why Slovenia\u2019s experience is so relevant now: it shows what happens when coastal management is not only about infrastructure, but about people.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/coastday.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Photo-3-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Photo 3″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”7px|||||” border_radii=”off||150px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_line_height=”1.3em” custom_padding=”|1px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Public spatial planning initiative engaging citizens through the campaign \u201cLet\u2019s Draw the Coast\u201d [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”18px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding=”0px||2px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Titillium Web||||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||3px|||” custom_padding=”|1px|2px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px|2px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|2px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Copyright: Archive JZP Izola<\/p>\n
On the first day of the CAMP, a hand-drawn \u201cVision 1\/1000 of the Mediterranean\u201d emerged, depicting a coastline where restored wetlands meet clean ports, where marine farms and wild ecosystems coexist, and where communities are empowered as guardians of their coast.<\/p>\n
Copyright: Archive JZP Izola<\/p>\n\n
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Copyright: Archive JZP Izola<\/p>\n
Copyright: Archive JZP Izola<\/p>\n