In 1995, as a response to the European Council Resolutions adopted in 1992 and 1994, the European Commission issued a Communication on the integrated management of coastal zones (EC 1995). On the basis of this and after discussions in the European Parliament and Council, the Commission launched a Demonstration Programme in 1996, including co-funding mechanisms for ICZM pilot projects (EC 1996).

The EU Demonstration Programme for ICZM has been running during 1997-'99 and the results of the projects have been summarised in Lessons from the European Commission's Demonstration Programme (EC 1999a).

The projects and the thematic analyses of the programme have provided a good basis for the preparation of the Commission's ICZM strategy (Towards a European Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Strategy. General Principles and Policy Options, EC 1999b). This discussion paper was the basis for a broad consultation in 1999.

In September 2000 the Commission approved a

• Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on Integrated Coastal Zone Management: A Strategy for Europe and a
• Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Recommendation concerning the implementation of ICZM in Europe.