"Exploring equitable, resilient, and sustainable coastal futures across Europe.”
About the event
LITTORAL 2027 – Inclusive Coasts is organised in cooperation with the University of Greenwich, London and Ocean and Coastal Futures (UK). It will mark the 18th EUCC International Conference. The conference continues a long-standing European collaboration bringing together academia, policy-makers, practitioners, and coastal stakeholders.
Since 1987, EUCC has organised biannual conferences on coastal and marine issues. Initially held under the name Coastlines until 1999, these events joined forces with Eurocoast in 2002, giving rise to the LITTORAL Conferences.
Held every two years at universities across Europe, LITTORAL conferences are promoted by EUCC, an NGO based in the Netherlands with an extensive network spanning the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Atlantic Ocean.
Focusing on the littoral zone—the dynamic interface between land and sea—the conferences provide a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and dialogue across the European coastal community.
The Young Professionals Coastal Community (YPCC), launched in 2011 by the EUCC, will also form part of LITTORAL 2027. The initiative brings together students, early-career professionals, educators, and senior experts to exchange knowledge on coastal processes and sustainable management. Through a structured educational programme—linking global climate change impacts to local coastal challenges—participants engage in collaborative learning, field-based activities, and research development, culminating in presentations at the YPCC workshop within the conference
Event information
Coastal Futures Europe: LITTORAL 2027 Conference
7th – 9th September 2027
LITTORAL Conference 2027 – Inclusive Coasts – the 18th EUCC International Conference, will explore how coastal regions can become more equitable, resilient and sustainable. The conference brings together stakeholders from academia, government, policy, and practice to address social inclusion, governance, cultural heritage, coastal economies, and emerging technologies shaping Europe’s coasts.
LITTORAL 2027 will take place in Maritime Greenwich, London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the banks of the River Thames. Hosted by the University of Greenwich, in cooperation with the Coastal & Marine Union – EUCC and international partners.
More details coming soon – mark your calendars!
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: SPEAKERS & SPONSORS
LITTORAL Conference 2027 – Inclusive Coasts invites researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and community organisations to prepare contributions for its 2027 edition.
We welcome submissions in the following formats:
- Abstracts for research and practice papers and speakers
- Workshops and parallel events
Important: Submission guidelines, templates, and deadlines will be announced soon.
Stay informed: Register your interest to receive updates as soon as the Call for Abstracts open.
Key Dates
| Expression of Interest Opens | June 2026 | |
| Call for Abstracts opens | September 2026 | |
| Call for Abstracts closes | Janaury 2027 | |
| Programme announced | April 2027 | |
| Delegate registration Opens | February 2027 | |
| Delegate registration closes | July 2027 | |
| Conference | 7th-9th September 2027 | |
Conference themes
Inclusive Coasts
Littoral 2027 will explore the theme “Inclusive Coasts”, focusing on the diverse social, environmental and economic dimensions that shape coastal regions across Europe and beyond.
Coastal areas are places of intense interaction between people, ecosystems and economies. They are home to vibrant communities, vital natural habitats and key industries such as fisheries, tourism and maritime trade. At the same time, many coastal regions face significant challenges including climate change, environmental degradation, social inequality and pressures on local livelihoods.
The conference will examine how coastal futures can be shaped through inclusive, collaborative and transdisciplinary approaches. Bringing together academics, NGOs, policy makers, businesses and community organisations, Littoral 2027 will provide a platform for sharing knowledge and exploring solutions that support resilient, equitable and sustainable coastal development.
Key thematic areas will include:
1. Understanding inclusive coasts
- Coastal resilience and transdisciplinary
- Participatory approaches: creative arts and inclusion on the coast
- Methods for co-production and knowledge integration
- Listening to voices of nature
- Marine social science for inclusive coasts
2. Governance and management
- Maritime spatial planning
- Governing land–sea interactions
- AI and digital technologies for coastal management
- Policy coherence across scales
- Community perspectives
3. Inclusive Blue Growth
- Renewable energy opportunities
- Sustainable coastal tourism
- Fisheries
- Cultural heritage
- Critical perspectives
4. Society, nature and the coast
- Migration across seas
- Maritime history and inclusion
- Protecting and promoting coastal identities and cultures
- Coastal health, wellbeing, and social inclusion in coastal town
- Environmental stewardship and conservation
- Gender in coastal contexts
- Urban coasts and coastal cities
Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops and field visits, Littoral 2027 will foster dialogue across disciplines and sectors, highlighting innovative approaches to building more inclusive coastal futures.
Registration
Stay informed: Register your interest to receive updates as soon as the Call for Abstracts open.
Venue & Travel
University of Greenwich
Old Royal Naval College
Park Row
Greenwich
London SE10 9LS
The conference will take place at the University of Greenwich campus, Maritime Greenwich beside the River Thames. London is accessible via international airports, rail connections and public transport. Detailed travel guidance will be provided.
Contact
For enquiries regarding participation, collaboration, or submissions, please contact the conference team: Littoral@gre.ac.uk
Organising Committee
Privacy notice
When registering to attend or submitting a proposal to present at our conference, we process information about who you are and your contact details; information that you provide on adjustments that may need to be made to enable you to attend and your dietary requirements. This information will be used by relevant University of Greenwich employees to manage your attendance and participation at Littoral 2027 Conference and enable you to provide your feedback afterwards. The data you provide will not be shared with third parties. General information about the university's approach to data protection and to your rights can be found here.