BLUE BALANCE

The overall objective of BLUE BALANCE is to increase public involvement and participation in the sustainable transition of the Flemish coastal region and thereby develop a social 'licence to operate' for sustainable (economic) activities. The project focuses in particular on residents and tourists of the Flemish coastal region and aims to bring them into dialogue with local industrial stakeholders and policymakers.

To achieve this, the project partners are betting on a multidisciplinary approach encompassing social psychology, marine and maritime sciences, archaeology, and media and communication sciences. In doing so, the project focuses on the following concrete goals:

1) Investigate personal values among individuals living in or visiting the Flemish coastal region, gaining in-depth insights into the underlying psychological drivers, barriers and processes that influence individuals' support and involvement in sustainable coastal innovations and processes, as well as (their perception of) regional (group) values and norms.

2) Archaeologists will investigate how we can connect our rich maritime past with contemporary innovations and challenges to build a compelling storyline. Our Belgian coast is a dynamic landscape that has been influenced for centuries by the interaction between man, our economic activities and nature. Cultural and natural heritage is widely scattered across our coastal landscape. This knowledge will be literally mapped out and forms the scientific basis to develop optimal compelling storylines for each blue innovation theme.

3) Using best practices from past and ongoing projects, assess the stakeholder landscape and identify optimal methods to engage stakeholders in participatory processes, and determine for which future sustainability projects and innovations a societal 'licence to operate' is most crucial.

4) With the help of the tourism sector, test cases will be developed at various locations along the coast. Research will show which (digital) communication tools are most suitable to initiate dialogue, raise awareness and which compelling storylines will appeal the most to the general public to convey the scientific knowledge.
The different tools designed during the project will be validated through field experiments. By measuring the impact on users’ awareness, pro-environmental attitudes, and openness to change, we can determine whether they (continue to) support sustainable activities and innovations.

Ultimately, Blue BALANCE wants to develop a toolbox that increases the chances of success and economic return for sustainable economic activities along the coast. The knowledge will also be compiled in a practical handbook so that it can serve as a protocol for other coast-related and offshore projects.