Everything you need to lead and deliver impact

You don’t have to do this alone. As a Coastal 500 member, you gain access to a global network of peers, practical tools, and opportunities that help turn local leadership into lasting results.

A global peer network to exchange solutions and accelerate progress

Practical tools and expert support to strengthen coastal management

Greater visibility and influence to elevate your leadership and shape policy

Opportunities to learn, collaborate, and act—locally and globally

Coastal 500 is designed to help you turn commitment into measurable results for your community.

A global network for local government leaders taking action

Coastal 500 brings together mayors and local government leaders from coastal communities across Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Micronesia, Mozambique, Palau, and the Philippines—united by a shared commitment to thriving oceans and resilient communities.

Coastal 500 is designed for:

Mayors or equivalent local government leaders in coastal municipalities or jurisdictions

Leaders willing to endorse the Coastal 500 Pledge

Those committed to advancing coastal protection, sustainable fisheries, and community resilience

Leaders ready to engage, collaborate, and take action

Whether you lead a small island municipality or a regional coastal hub, if you are working to strengthen your resilience, join us.

Explore our members

What current members are saying

Noel Ruiz

Santa Fe, Honduras

“Artisanal fishing is a tradition. It is culture. It is heritage. It is a source of life and community spirit. It is the safest and most reliable way to guarantee families' income. After remittances, it is the second most important economic activity. It is parallel to the activity of agriculture and livestock.”

Francisco Queiroz de Oliveira

Augusto Corrêa, Brazil

“Rising seas, coastal erosion, and declining fisheries in my municipality of Augusto Corrêa challenge the subsistence of our traditional peoples and our local economy. The mangroves of the Amazon coast are the largest protected area of mangroves in the world, and it absorbs six times more carbon than the terrestrial forests. It is cheaper for us to protect it than to recover it. Local leaders and communities have the knowledge to do so, but we need financing and resources to deliver this climate action on the ground. This is not just the reality of Augusto Corrêa, or the state of Pará, or even of Brazil — it is the shared reality of coastal communities around the world. As member of Coastal 500, alongside my fellow mayors, we are coming together to support one another to safeguard our coastal environments and ensure the well-being and climate resilience of our communities"”

Hamilton Brito

Curuçá, Brazil

“Amazonian coastal communities are the guardians of our territory. We are the ones who take care of the rivers, the mangroves, and the biodiversity. Supporting these communities means guaranteeing the preservation of the Amazon for the whole world.”

Alfredo Coro

Del Carmen, Philippines

“Coastal 500 municipalities remain to be a beacon and space for public innovation for thousands of communities around the world that need more adaptive solutions to the uncertainties of today.”

Alfredo Coro

Del Carmen, Philippines

“Coastal 500's greatest asset is the quality of the quantity of the members. 500 strong local governments means how many coastal families ensure the sustainability of the most important biodiversity site in the world, around the equatorial belt, feeding how many more others around the globe. But reality is that most of the frontliners of marine based food security remain without social protection despite the daily risk in open waters, trapped in the cycle of poverty and in the polycrisis we are all now facing, they are absorbing the highest impact of high fuel cost, extreme heat, inflation.”

A shared pledge for action

Joining Coastal 500 is simple, but represents a powerful commitment.

Every member formally endorses the Coastal 500 Local Leadership Pledge—a shared commitment to build healthy, prosperous, and sustainable coastal communities. Through this pledge, leaders commit to advancing responsible fisheries management, protecting critical habitats, strengthening community participation, and championing policies that prioritize local livelihoods and resilience.

Explore the pledge

As a member, you can expect:

A formal commitment through the pledge, aligning you with a global community of action-oriented leaders

A warm welcome into the network, connecting you with peers and partners worldwide

Access to tools, resources, and learning platforms to support your work.

Opportunities to engage at your own pace—from virtual exchanges to global events

Ongoing opportunities to share progress, learn from others, and grow your impact

How to become a Coastal 500 member?

Apply to become a member

1. Express Interest

Complete a short form to tell us about your municipality, leadership role, and interest in Coastal 500.

Apply to become a member

2. Eligibility & Alignment Review

Our team reviews your submission to confirm alignment with Coastal 500’s mission and member criteria. We’ll share next steps, including a Coastal 500 pledge for you to sign.

3. Sign the Coastal 500 Pledge

Formalize your commitment by endorsing the Local Leadership Pledge, a shared commitment to sustainable fisheries, community empowerment, and coastal resilience.

4. Onboarding & Welcome

You’ll be officially welcomed into the network and receive:

Access to member platforms and resources
Invitations to upcoming events and exchanges
Guidance and key resources on how to get started

5. Take Action & Engage

Begin implementing actions in your community, connect with peers, and participate in network activities, sharing your progress and learning along the way.

Headline Step forward as a leader for your coast.

Join a growing global network turning local leadership into lasting impact.

Apply to become a member Contact us