Before acting, we must understand.
Within the ATLANTIC BRIDGES project, the territorial analysis represents the first concrete step of our local journey. Although the analytical work has not yet started, this phase is essential: it will provide the strategic foundation upon which future decisions, priorities and pilot actions will be built.
Why a Territorial Analysis within Atlantic BRIDGES?
The territorial analysis is part of Work Package 1 – “Analyse & Strategise”, which structures the first phase of the ATLANTIC BRIDGES project . Its objective is clear: to provide a comprehensive understanding of each partner’s area in light of the triple transition and the land–sea relationship that defines Atlantic coastal cities .
In other words, this analysis will serve as the strategic baseline of the project.
It will allow the project’s partners to position itself within the broader Atlantic cooperation framework while identifying how local specificities can contribute to the common transnational strategy. Therefore, it is not merely a descriptive document, but a key decision-making tool that will guide the next phases of the project.
What is a Territorial Analysis?
A territorial analysis is a structured and strategic portrait of a territory. It gathers and interprets existing data (economic, social, environmental, tourism, sociological, urban….) in order to identify strengths, vulnerabilities, opportunities and risks .
More specifically, it may include the review of local strategies and public policies, SWOT and PESTEL analyses, and a transversal reading of current challenges through the lens of the triple transition and land–sea integration .
This document will become the reference framework for the local action plan to be implemented in 2027. It will clarify priorities, highlight key leverage points and ensure that the future pilot action is grounded in a robust and shared diagnosis rather than isolated initiatives.
A Collective and Participatory Approach
The territorial analysis will not be produced in isolation. On the contrary, it will rely on the active contribution of the Local Stakeholders Group, which brings together key public, economic, academic and port-related actors of the territory .
Their role will be to enrich the diagnosis with field expertise, identify concrete challenges linked to the land–sea interface, and help prioritise the themes most relevant for Les Sables d’Olonne. Through regular exchanges, this participatory approach will ensure both local ownership and alignment with the transnational objectives of ATLANTIC BRIDGES.
Ultimately, the territorial analysis is not only a technical exercise : it is a collective process designed to prepare informed, realistic and impactful action for the years ahead.
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