NAVE Nortrail project is unique in its aim to link the North Sea Trail with significant sites of cultural and natural heritage across the North Sea area.  In doing so NAVE Nortrail seeks to:

• Identify the vast variety of locations and areas of cultural importance and public interest in the countries facing the North Sea. 
• Strengthen trans-national co-operation and identifying linkages between different aspects of the same cultural traditions across the North Sea

In addition, NAVE Nortrail will create a Heritage Network as a forum for:

• Exchanging ideas and experiences
• Enhancing visibility as part of a cultural guide to the region
• Providing opportunities to discover common history and culture
• Inspiring further transnational co-operation
• Strengthening common understanding

The UK consortium of Nortrail partners is developing the theme of in-shore fisheries and traditional boat building as its North Sea heritage network theme.

The NAVE Nortrail project will also produce a website (www.northseatrail.org) featuring all the partner areas through an interactive map, with a database of articles on local heritage within close proximity to the Trail. 

Five themes have been identified for Knowledge Platform articles:

• The Natural World
• Buildings & Architecture
• Working life
• Culture & Traditions
• Historical Routes