ResAlliance is building bridges across the Mediterranean – connecting people, sharing knowledge, and combining traditional and modern practices to enhance the resilience of our landscapes to climate change.
Over the past year, the ResAlliance project has been building up collaboration across the Mediterranean, bringing together individuals committed to protecting forests, agricultural lands and rural landscapes. Through a series of interactive in-person and virtual information sessions, land managers, researchers and policy-makers have come together to explore a common goal: creating landscapes that can adapt to and are resilient to a changing climate.
From Barcelona to Beirut: collaboration in action
The initiative began last November in Barcelona, Spain, at the 8th Mediterranean Forest Week, where ResAlliance experts from EFI Mediterranean Facility (EFIMED), ETIFOR and CIHEAM-MAICh hosted a dedicated side event entitled “Dissemination and Exploitation of Knowledge Materials.” This information session examined the current state of Mediterranean forests, highlighting how collaborative learning and innovation can enhance resilience in forest and agroforestry systems. It showcased the ResAlliance project’s objectives, expected outcomes and resources including a comprehensive set of best practices (factsheets) and a massive open online course on enhancing landscape resilience. The event attracted over 25 participants representing research communities, international organisations and national authorities.
In December, a roundtable discussion in Lebanon brought together Jouzour Loubnan, local and national authorities alongside community groups. Participants explored fire prevention strategies, local challenges and tailored solutions to the Lebanese context. They shared insights on policy coordination and explored ways to integrate resilience strategies into national frameworks.
Local voices, shared challenges
In April, the momentum continued in Tunisia during the World Earth Day celebrations, where ResAlliance and INGREF engaged over 100 attendees. This event provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with farmers, foresters and local associations, linking research outcomes with on-the-ground practices.
In May, the project continued its outreach in Antalya, Turkey, where Eduard Mauri from EFIMED led an interactive information session during the International Workshop on Innovative Techniques for Integrated Fire Management in the Mediterranean Region. This session gathered representatives from civil society, local and regional authorities, and public institutions to exchange practical experiences and explore innovative fire management approaches. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and enhancing wildfire resilience across the Mediterranean.
In June, the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted a hands-on information session that brought together EU project partners, including StrategyMedFor and ResAlliance, alongside researchers, regional stakeholders and local authorities. Participants discussed practical tools and solutions for Mediterranean landscape resilience, sharing experiences and lessons from across the region to enhance sustainable forest management.
Later, in September, two virtual information sessions hosted by the Chamber of Agriculture of Occitanie (France) presented agricultural and forestry practices for Mediterranean landscape resilience. The first webinar focused on grazing systems, vineyard mosaics and rain-fed crop management, while the second addressed wildfire prevention, post-fire restoration and non-wood forest products – highlighting the diversity of adaptive strategies across Mediterranean landscapes.
A shared vision for Mediterranean resilience
Throughout these activities, ResAlliance has demonstrated that change can be achieved through knowledge sharing – connecting science with society, and innovation with tradition. By engaging a wide range of stakeholders, the project is helping to shape a shared Mediterranean vision for sustainable, resilient landscapes.
As the project continues to expand its outreach, one thing is becoming clear: resilience grows when knowledge flows. Every discussion – whether between farmers, researchers or decision-makers – helps to shape the policies, practices and partnerships of tomorrow. Together, these efforts will help ensure that Mediterranean forests, agricultural lands and agroforestry systems remain adaptive and resilient in the face of climate change.
Visit ResAlliance’s official website
This article was originally written by:
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (CIHEAM-MAICh)
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