The second edition of MED Talks (Interreg Euro-MED Programme/Union for the Mediterranean – UfM) took place on Monday 16 December 2024, shining the spotlight on the Green Living Areas Mission’s innovative frameworks and collaborative initiatives.
In the initial part of the Green Living Areas presentation, the focus was placed on the vital role of Thematic Working Groups. These groups serve as a dynamic and collaborative framework designed to facilitate the discussion, planning, and implementation of activities that advance sustainable green development. Their work directly supports the commitments outlined in the Green Living Areas Mission. While the specific goals of each Thematic Working Group vary according to project priorities and objectives, they are guided by three overarching aims:
- Enhancing community impact: The Thematic Working Groups aim to maximise the influence of community initiatives, activities, and investments in fostering sustainable green development,
- Promoting knowledge exchange: They provide a platform for sharing essential information, expertise, and best practices among stakeholders,
- Capitalising on the ETU Model: The Thematic Working Groups focus on preparing and transferring effective green development practices/solutions through the Ecosystemic Transition Unit (ETU) model.
In conjunction with presenting the structure and role of these Thematic Working Groups, the Green Living Areas Mission highlighted the core themes and topics of the Thematic Projects, reinforcing its commitment to collaboration.
Following this presentation, Wafa Hawamdeh, the Head of the Local Development Unit of Jerash Municipality, shared a positive and inspiring testimony, emphasising the critical value of collaboration within the framework of the Interreg Euro-MED program and the Green Living Areas Mission. Ms. Hawamdeh described the significance of participating in the project as an associated partner. She highlighted how such collaboration has enabled Jerash Municipality to access valuable knowledge and practical solutions.
For instance, their involvement in the thematic project Urwan provided training on nature-based solutions – an area of expertise that has had a tangible impact on their local development initiatives. This experience not only allowed them to start implementing innovative practices within the municipality but also equipped them to share these solutions with other communities, amplifying the project’s broader impact.
The Green Living Areas session also highlighted the Institutional Policy Dialogue Process, which enables policymakers to identify/exchange public initiatives, strategies, and policies, for adaption, replication, and upscaling.
The benefits of participating in the Institutional Policy Dialogue Process are:
- Adopting an action-oriented approach;
- Discussing existing / re-use / new policy instruments;
- Sharing gained knowledge;
- Enriching solutions through dialogue.
On this point, Roberta Boniotti, Secretary General of MEDENER, shared insights into the Institutional Policy Dialogue’s potential to engage policymakers and stakeholders. She highlighted its impact:
“This collaborative process offers a unique opportunity to experiment with concrete and effective use of policies across various Green Living Areas topics, including notably, renewable energy and economic development, but also mobility, spatial planning, and environmental innovation “.
Upcoming Events:
Online joint session of the Thematic Working Groups focusing on policy, on Thursday 27 February 2025. The objectives are:
- Insights into the results of the First Institutional Policy Dialogue,
- Collaborative work with the Thematic Projects: an example of assistance with policy – oriented activities,
- Introduction of the EUCLID Policy Hub’s Core Group,
- Presentation of the next steps of the Institutional Policy Dialogue process for 2025 – 2026,
- Discussion of potential policy instruments.
Second Institutional Policy Dialogue – 2 full days in presence event Autumn 2025 (date and location to be confirmed).
Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to engage in shaping a sustainable future through the Green Living Areas Mission!
