Sustainable Islands: Island Network for Sustainable Development and Heritage Preservation
The small islands of the Maritime area have a unique cultural and natural heritage; however, they are also fragile because of the challenges posed by a mainly seaside tourism. These island areas support significant seasonal population variations and have common heritage degradation issues, in addition to waste management and energy supply not fit for environmental quality.  The islands belonging to the partnership—Lérins island (AM), Hyères islands (VAR), Lavezzi islands (CORSICA), Capraia island (TOSC), Tavolara and Asinara island (SARD), Palmaria island (LIG)—wish to engage in this strategic integrated project to preserve their assets and jointly develop a "sustainable island" approach. They will rely on the incipient international Small Sustainable Islands initiative; the Maritime cooperation area will be perfect to experiment this new brand.   Therefore, the project ISOS - Sustainable Islands intends to do the following: • create a network of French and Italian islands engaging the preservation of their natural and cultural heritage featuring technical workshops, conferences, expert mobilisation, a calendar or a series of initiatives. • implement practical pilot actions together with local operators to obtain the following: - better management of natural resources with innovative solutions suitable for small islands (renewable energy, waste separation and heritage promotion). The spread of this network on the Maritime scale and the planned investments will lead to the "sustainable islands" certification of the project islands, due to their having built together sustainable strategies for the protection of natural and cultural heritage and the benefit of their populations.