From 27–29 May 2026, REST-COAST participated in the 15th International Conference on the Balkan and Black Sea Regions (ICBBSR), held in Patras, Greece. Bringing together nearly 100 participants from across Europe and the wider Black Sea region, the conference served as a platform for dialogue on sustainability, climate resilience, innovation, and regional cooperation.

The event welcomed a distinguished audience of policymakers, researchers, regional authorities, and international organisations. Among the high-level representatives attending were the former Deputy Minister of Transport and Member of the Hellenic Parliament, the Secretary General of the Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and the Governor of the Region of Western Greece.

As REST-COAST approached the official conclusion of its 4.5-year journey on 31 May 2026, the conference provided a timely opportunity to present the project's achievements and reflect on its contribution to coastal restoration and climate resilience across Europe.

On the final day of the conference, REST-COAST joined Session 5, dedicated to blue economy innovation and coastal restoration. Project coordinator Prof. Agustín Sánchez-Arcilla (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) presented the project's key scientific achievements, highlighting the importance of strategic restoration planning, nature-based solutions, and integrated coastal management approaches in strengthening the resilience of vulnerable coastal ecosystems and communities. His presentation showcased the lessons learned from the project's pilot sites and demonstrated how scientific knowledge can support sustainable coastal enhancement and long-term adaptation to climate change.

Complementing the scientific perspective, Gabriela Popova, Pensoft Publishers, presented the project's communication and stakeholder engagement achievements. The session introduced participants to REST-COAST's innovative outreach tools, including the mobile application, serious video game, and digital dashboard, which were developed to make complex scientific concepts more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. The presentation emphasised the value of combining traditional communication methods with innovative digital approaches to foster public understanding and support for ecosystem restoration initiatives. The interactive tools of the project can be accessed here.

The event further showcased the work of other European initiatives contributing to environmental sustainability and resilience. Presentations from the GERM of LIFE and IDRON projects highlighted innovative approaches to ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource management, and risk mitigation and adaptation strategies, creating valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

While REST-COAST has now formally ended, its impact will continue through the newly launched Horizon Europe COAST-SCAPES project. Building upon the scientific results, restoration approaches, and lessons learned from REST-COAST, COAST-SCAPES will further advance the implementation and scaling-up of nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. The project will focus on strengthening the long-term uptake of restoration practices, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and promoting sustainable pathways for adapting Europe's coastal regions to climate change and environmental pressures.