The Atlantic Bridges
Project
ATLANTIC BRIDGES is a 30-month transnational cooperation project funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme. The project brings together partners from Spain, Ireland, France and Portugal to support sustainable urban development in Atlantic coastal cities.
Its main objective is to strengthen the integration between land and sea in urban planning, in order to accelerate the ecological, economic and social transition. To achieve this, the project will develop a common strategic framework focused on biodiversity protection, green and blue infrastructure, pollution reduction and urban resilience.
This framework will then be tested through pilot actions in different Atlantic territories, ensuring that results are concrete, transferable and useful for other coastal cities across the Atlantic Area.
The Triple Transition
Framework
Atlantic Bridges is built around a Triple Transition approach, ensuring that development remains balanced and sustainable. This holistic framework strengthens long-term resilience and competitiveness across Atlantic regions.
Economic transition
- Diversification of maritime and port activities
- Blue economy and marine innovation
- Circular economy and resource efficiency
- Industrial and port decarbonisation
- Renewable marine energy development
Social transition
- Inclusive governance models
- Citizen participation in urban planning
- Addressing housing and affordability challenges
- Reducing territorial inequalities
- Enhancing quality of life in medium-sized coastal cities
Environmental transition
- Coastal resilience and climate adaptation
- Sustainable water and energy management
- Green infrastructure integration
- Ecosystem protection
- Low-carbon mobility
Atlantic Bridges objectives
1️⃣ Build a transnational framework to support the triple transition
The first objective aims to develop a shared strategic framework at the transnational level to guide and coordinate actions related to the triple transition : ecological, economical, and social.
By aligning policies, tools, and methodologies across countries, the framework will strengthen cooperation and ensure coherence between regional initiatives. It will also facilitate knowledge exchange and joint learning among partners.
2️⃣ Co-design and test locally adapted transition actions on the ground
The second objective focuses on implementing pilot actions tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of each territory. By experimenting with concrete solutions at the local level, stakeholders can assess their effectiveness, adaptability, and scalability.
These field-based experiences will provide practical insights into how the triple transition can be successfully embedded within diverse local contexts.
3️⃣Capitalize on and transfer results across the Atlantic area
The last objective seeks to consolidate lessons learned, best practices, and innovative solutions developed through the project. By sharing and transferring these results across the wider Atlantic area, the initiative will maximize its impact and promote replication in other regions.
This capitalization process will ensure that successful approaches contribute to long-term, transnational transformation.
A three workpackages phased project
A Work Package is a set of activities grouped around a specific project objective, allowing work to be organized, responsibilities to be distributed and clearly identified deliverables to be produced.
Workpackage 1 – 2026
Analyze & Strategize
- Production of a territorial analysis
- Development of a project monitoring methodology.
- Production of a common transnational strategy.
Workpackage 2 – 2027
Act & Demonstrate
- Development of a local action plan for each pilot site.
- Production of an evaluation report on the pilot actions.
- Organization by each partner of a local seminar to present the results to local stakeholders.
Workpackage 3 – 2028
Capitalize & Transfer
- Completion of the feasibility study for the transfer.
- Creation of the Atlantic Forum and organization of Local Forums in five external territories.
- Organization of the final event and transatlantic dissemination of the results.
Governance & Partnership
Project’s Partners
- Lead the project implementation
- Produce official deliverables
- Coordinate local and thematic groups
Local
Stakeholders Group
- 10–15 key local stakeholders per territory
- Contribute to territorial analysis
- Co-design local action plans
Thematic
Experts Group
- 3 experts per partner
- Provide technical validation and strategic guidance
