BeNCoRe, the Belgian Network for Coastal Research aims at initiating and facilitating knowledge sharing and cooperation between Belgian marine institutes. The main task of BeNCoRe is to ensure, stimulate and facilitate the process of knowledge exchange and cooperation between network participants at the national level and European-wide through ENCORA, the European Platform for Coastal Research, Coordination Action. Central for the Belgian Network for Coastal Research is the web-directory: http://www.bencore.be/. The website will become the most important tool for disseminating information and should become the virtual link within the network. Furthermore the networking activities of BeNCoRe are facilitated through a National Coordination Office and will be managed by the BeNCoRe Bureau with representatives from both regions from the scientific community and policymakers.