The Clean Coast Programme aims to bring people together to care for their local coastal environment.

The Clean Coast Programme grew out of an increasing concern of the effects of litter on the marine and coastal environment. The programme has now been operating successfully for a number of years managed by Keep Wales Tidy and An Taisce (Irish National Trust). The Clean Coast Programme consists of two elements, The Programme and the Green Coast Award. In 2000, 12 Programme groups were present in Pembrokeshire which has increased to an impressive 153 in Wales and 58 in Ireland today. The Green Coast Award has also developed rapidly with 50 award beaches in Wales and 10 in the Republic of Ireland.

The Clean Coast Programme will recognise beaches in Northern Ireland which meet the highest standards of water quality recognised under current EC legislation. The Programme will do this using community involvement and an award scheme. However; the Programme will also distinguish beaches which are prized for their natural, unspoilt environment.

The Programme differs from others such as the Blue Flag programme as it acknowledges rural beaches which do not undergo intensive management programmes or installation of numerous facilities. Additionally, one of the primary aims of the award is community involvement. The Programme groups can be formed giving communities a chance to adopt a stretch of coastline where the group can carry out clean up and management work to improve the beach environment. The effort and qualities of the beach involved in the Programme can then be recognised and noted as having a Clean Coast Award if all objectives have been met.

Coca-Cola is the associate sponsor of the Clean Coast Programme in Northern Ireland.