WATERFRONTS
Art, Science, and Care for Resilient Coastal Communities
About
In WATERFRONTS, creativity meets resilience to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change along Europe’s coasts. Our mission is to empower young artists and emerging cultural organizations in Gothenburg (Sweden), Lesvos (Greece), and Zadar (Croatia) to co-create innovative, arts-based solutions that address environmental issues and the eco-anxiety they bring to waterfront communities. By blending socially-engaged arts, marine sciences, and healthcare, we showcase the transformative power of culture in supporting communities affected by climate change.
At the heart of WATERFRONTS is a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. We work hand-in-hand with local citizens, particularly those facing marginalization—whether due to disability, socio-economic challenges, or refugee backgrounds. Together with climate experts, policymakers, and cultural leaders, our artists design impactful interventions that spark awareness, inspire care, and build resilience.
Through powerful artworks, community-driven initiatives, and a practical toolkit for change, WATERFRONTS highlights the crucial caregiving role of culture in protecting our seas and shores. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for Europe’s diverse waterfronts—where creativity becomes a catalyst for well-being, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Our Objectives
Cultural Enrichment Journeys
Empower
Young
Artists
Equipping Creativity with Purpose
We’re nurturing the next generation of artists to become changemakers. By providing multidisciplinary training in socially-engaged arts, marine sciences, and healthcare, WATERFRONTS equips young creatives with the tools to develop impactful solutions for climate resilience. These artists will become key drivers of innovation, blending cultural expression with scientific and social insights to inspire transformative action. By fostering their growth, we are building a network of creative leaders ready to champion sustainability across Europe and beyond. Their work will act as a beacon, showcasing the vital role of the arts in addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time.
Engage
Waterfront
Communities
Inclusion at the Heart of Change
WATERFRONTS actively involves coastal communities in co-creating solutions. We prioritize voices often left unheard—those with disabilities, socio-economic challenges, or refugee backgrounds—ensuring that our interventions reflect diverse experiences and needs. By fostering trust and collaboration, we create a shared sense of ownership in tackling the environmental challenges that affect us all. Together, we turn local perspectives into meaningful action, making every voice count in the fight for climate resilience. Through this inclusive approach, we strengthen the bonds between people and their environment, fostering unity and shared purpose.
Advocate for
Culture’s
Role
Art for Climate Care
Through compelling artworks and community-driven projects, we highlight the critical role culture plays in addressing climate change. By bringing personal stories and local challenges into the spotlight, we create powerful narratives that advocate for the integration of cultural approaches in climate resilience efforts. These initiatives showcase how creative expression can transcend boundaries, connecting people to the realities of climate impact in deeply personal and lasting ways. By positioning culture as a cornerstone of resilience, we inspire hope and collective action for a more sustainable future.
Create
Scalable
Solutions
Local Action - EU Impact
We’re building tools for change. The WATERFRONTS toolkit ensures our innovative methods can be adapted and replicated in waterfront regions across Europe, making a lasting impact far beyond our project’s borders. By sharing these adaptable solutions, we empower other communities to adopt inclusive, culturally-driven approaches, ensuring that the ripple effects of this project extend far into the future. These scalable solutions provide a blueprint for uniting creativity and care in addressing the global challenges of climate change.
Raise
Awareness
Across
Europe
Inspiring Action
Through an expansive awareness campaign, we’re reaching millions across Europe’s waterfronts. By showcasing the power of culture in tackling climate challenges, we aim to inspire a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive future. Our campaign not only informs but also ignites action, encouraging individuals, organizations, and policymakers to embrace cultural innovation as a cornerstone of climate resilience. By amplifying these stories and solutions, we create a movement that bridges local action and global awareness, driving meaningful change.
Our Communities
Gothenburg Sweden
Gothenburg, Sweden’s largest port city, faces challenges from rising sea levels, extreme weather, and eco-anxiety among its youth. WATERFRONTS will empower young creatives and communities to co-create art and solutions rooted in the city’s maritime heritage. These initiatives will showcase Gothenburg as a leader in climate-conscious innovation and cultural resilience. Through public exhibitions and community workshops, the project will promote sustainable practices and foster a deeper connection to environmental challenges. By blending tradition with innovation, Gothenburg’s participation will inspire other coastal cities to embrace creative solutions for sustainability.
Lesvos Greece
Lesvos, a historic Aegean island, is on the frontlines of climate change and migration, impacting both its ecosystems and communities. WATERFRONTS will bring together locals, refugees, and young artists to create cultural projects that foster intercultural dialogue and sustainability. By blending art with maritime traditions, Lesvos will inspire inclusive and eco-friendly responses to global challenges. These projects will amplify marginalized voices while promoting mental well-being and community resilience. The island will emerge as a beacon for creative and culturally rooted responses to shared environmental and social challenges.
Zadar
Croatia
Zadar’s Adriatic coastline, vital for its economy and heritage, faces threats from coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution. WATERFRONTS will unite artists, youth, and stakeholders to create art-driven solutions that preserve the city’s unique maritime identity. These actions position Zadar as a model for sustainable waterfront management and cultural preservation. Public art and participatory workshops will encourage the community to adopt innovative practices for resilience. By leveraging its natural beauty and cultural wealth, Zadar’s efforts will inspire other Adriatic and European coastal communities.
The WATERFRONTS Team
The WATERFRONTS team is a dynamic collective of artists, cultural leaders, environmental experts, and community builders from Sweden, Greece, and Croatia. United by a passion for sustainability and innovation, we work collaboratively to empower waterfront communities through art and creativity. Together, we’re shaping a future where culture drives resilience and positive change.
