HARBASINS is a European project and stands for Harmonised River Basins Strategies North Sea. The aim of the HARBASINS project is to enhance the compatibility of management strategies and international cooperation for the North Sea's coastal waters, estuaries and river basins. The focus is on harmonisation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the international cooperation on integrated management of estuaries and coastal waters in the North Sea Region, ultimately leading to ecosystem restoration and compatible instruments which ensure sound environmental management of interconnected coastal zones. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme which is a Community Initiative concerning Transnational Cooperation.