Co-creating evidence-based business roadmaps and policy solutions for enhancing coastal-rural collaboration and synergies

Interviews with key players in preparation for the multi-actor workshop in January 2021

In a preparation for the multi-actor workshop planned for January, interviews with key stakeholders were conducted. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews were held online via Zoom with a few key players including the MAL4 team.

Firstly, stakeholders were informed of the progress of the work and the project schedule for 2021. The multi-stakeholder workshop, which will allow exchanges between all MAL4 actors and discuss the dynamic models in development, as well as the future business road map, will be held by the end of January 2021. Stakeholders were also informed about the international multi-actor workshop in Spring 2021 as part of WP1 in COASTAL. The General Assembly 2021 and this workshop should be located in Rochefort and Bordeaux, France.

The approaches developed in WP3 and WP5 were presented and discussed with participants. The interviews focused on scenarios and transition pathways, as well as the preparation of the business road map.  The discussion on dynamic models will take place in the multi-stakeholder workshop in January.

The stakeholders enjoyed exchanging ideas on economic opportunities and synergies to be developed between sectors. They identified solutions to achieve the objectives set out in the vision of a desirable future: a harmonious and diversified territory that allows the continuation and development of economic activities (agriculture, shellfish farming, tourism, ports) while preserving water resources, both in quantity and quality. Some new ideas emerged, taking into account the trends resulting from the health crisis we have been experiencing for several months.

The use of Zoom requires shorter meetings and participants decided to exchange on share documents to validate and clarify the ideas developed during the meeting. The MAL4 website (in French)[1]  has recently been updated to allow stakeholders and readers to ask questions and contribute online to the work in progress.