Sponsoring sections of coastal paths: SOS Costa Brava's new strategy against privatization and neglect

GironaTaking responsibility for a specific section of the coastal path, inspecting it regularly, and reporting any illegal closures or deterioration that impedes access. This is the mission that SOS Costa Brava wants to entrust to the future "godparents" of the coastal paths, a new role with which the environmental organization intends to strengthen the monitoring of these historic routes along the sea and guarantee the public's right to walk freely and without obstacles.

The organization has recently launched a public appeal to recruit godparents and thus add "more eyes and resources" to those it has long dedicated to protecting the coastline. According to SOS Costa Brava, the initiative arises as a response to "the increasing degradation, occupation, and illegal closure of several sections in a context of intense urban development pressure and a lack of institutional response." Given this situation, the organization believes that the work of safeguarding the coastal paths has intensified and that it cannot undertake it alone.

Citizen reinforcements

"We've decided to ask for support from the public, and we believe that sponsoring the most problematic stretches of the Costa Brava is a good way to get people involved," explains Cristina Vilà, coordinator of SOS Costa Brava. The project aims to transform civic engagement into a structured monitoring and reporting tool, with technical criteria and continuity over time. Sponsors—who can be individuals or entities such as schools, associations, or hiking groups—will have to carry out a minimum of three annual on-site inspections of their assigned stretch. The data collected will be used to identify illegal privatizations, improper closures, or situations of neglect and degradation, allowing SOS Costa Brava to "initiate the corresponding legal proceedings against the authorities" when necessary.

Strict protocol

To ensure the rigor of the initiative, the organization is working on specific materials to facilitate observation. "The diagnosis will be carried out using technical data sheets, forms, and monitoring protocols that we will provide to the sponsors," explains Vilà. In addition, SOS Costa Brava will draft a naturalization guide that will define what a coastal path should be like that respects the environment and biodiversity, focusing not only on accessibility but also on environmental quality.

The launch of this "pioneering citizen monitoring network" has been made possible thanks to a crowdfunding campaign with the slogan Free pathsThe initial goal was to raise €6,600, but they ultimately raised €7,885, a figure the organization considers very positive. These funds will cover the cost of materials and training necessary for the mentors to properly carry out their assigned tasks.

Blackheads

Although the ultimate goal is to cover the coastal paths along the entire Costa Brava, from Portbou to Blanes, the project will begin by focusing on some of the most problematic sections, including the stretch between Golfet Beach and Cala Estreta, in the municipalities of Palafrugell, Mont-ras, and Palamós. At this point, the owner of the Macroxalet on Golfet Beach has blocked the path with metal fences, forcing walkers to take a detour via a set of stairs leading to Carrer del Cap de Planes. SOS Costa Brava has been unsuccessfully demanding that the City Council enforce the court order requiring the demolition of the walls obstructing access.

Barefoot areas

Another problem area is Garbet beach in Colera, where the coastal path is blocked by the owners of the Garbet estate from the beach to Port Joan. The stretch between Cala Estreta and Castell beach in Palamós is also a concern, as is the southern section of La Fosca, where areas have been undermined by the sea's erosion of the foundations without any intervention. Furthermore, the path between Cala del Crit and Cala Estreta is blocked by several villas along the seafront, forcing a detour.

The tycoon from Kazakhstan

One of the most striking cases is that of Can Juncadella, in Cala Canyelles, Lloret de Mar. Since 2009, a Kazakh magnate has kept access to the coastal path and the GR-92 long-distance trail closed, despite court rulings ordering him to open it and the Lloret de Mar City Council's failure to implement the 2021 ruling by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia. Some schools have already expressed interest in sponsoring sections of the path. "The public response to the fundraising campaign has been very positive, and we hope the sponsorships will be as well," says Vilà. In his opinion, this response confirms "the general public's concern about the poor condition of the coastal paths and privatizations, and about the lack of response from the authorities." "We cannot tolerate that several historic sections of the coastal path continue to be usurped by private properties that violate the coastal right of way," the coordinator concludes. With the figure of the "godparents," SOS Costa Brava wants to transform the outrage generated by this situation into an active tool for defending the coastline.