Celebrating 3 years of CARDIMED’s progress in Zaragoza
- NEWS
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 8
From 24 to 26 September 2025, CARDIMED partners gathered in Zaragoza, Aragón (Spain) for the 5th General Meeting of the project, the third held in person. This annual gathering brought together the full consortium to review three years of progress, address challenges, and align on the next steps in our shared mission to mainstream Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across the Mediterranean.
The meeting was hosted by the Government of Aragón and CIRCE, who welcomed participants with opening remarks from Raquel Giménez, Director General of Environmental Education, and Carmen Bartolomé, Director of Circular Economy at CIRCE. Their words underlined the strategic importance of Aragón as a living laboratory for NbS, and its commitment to supporting climate adaptation at both local and European levels.
Project Progress and DEMO Updates
The first day featured a positive balance of progress, highlighting the achievement of most objectives and milestones, along with the start of new digital tools for NbS planning that will soon be made available to stakeholders and citizens.
DEMO leaders provided updates on sites across Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Cyprus. Many DEMOs are now ready to enter the monitoring phase in 2026, with installations such as green walls, sponge city interventions, renaturalised schools, micro-forests, and water-smart systems beginning to deliver results.
The day also included a Citizen Science session led by Cetaqua, where partners explored how to better integrate communities into NbS activities through data collection, education, and engagement.
Another highlight was the NBS4EU Cluster presentation by Lorenzo Oretti (ART-ER & ARCADIA project). Bringing together CARDIMED’s sister projects—ARCADIA, DesirMED, LAND4CLIMATE, MountResilience, NATALIE, and NBRACER—the cluster represents one of the largest coordinated efforts under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, with nearly €140 million in funding. The aim is to scale NbS across Europe’s biogeographical regions, exchange lessons learned, and advocate for stronger policies to mainstream NbS.
The first day closed with a participatory session organised by ICLEI, Utrecht University, and SEMIDE, where partners assessed the impacts of CARDIMED actions so far and discussed replication opportunities for other vulnerable territories.
Regional Experiences and Workshops
The second day began with regional showcases:
Government of Aragón (Spain), represented by Miguel Ángel Muñoz, emphasised the importance of targeting adaptation in the most vulnerable areas to protect communities and prioritise resources effectively.
Region Sud (France), represented by Marie Caroline Vallon, introduced their “Cuckoo Strategy”, which integrates NbS into ecological transition, nature in cities, and preservation of natural heritage.
Region of North Aegean (Greece), represented by Ioannis Kalatzis, detailed the major climate pressures they face, from reduced rainfall and rising temperatures to the sharp increase of extreme events.
Following this, Marta Vescovici (CDP) stressed the role of climate adaptation reporting for regions, municipalities, and communities, linking CARDIMED’s work with international disclosure frameworks.
Partners then engaged in two parallel workshops:
Later in the day, Utrecht University guided a session on community engagement, showcasing creative methods to involve citizens in NbS activities. DEMO leaders then shared inspiring stories and examples of community-driven adaptation from across the Mediterranean.
Monitoring NbS performance was another central theme. CREAF led a hands-on workshop where partners discussed indicators, data collection challenges, and how monitoring can strengthen replication and policymaking. They also presented the CARDIMED monitoring plan, including work on value chains and NbS validation. The day concluded with valuable contributions from the International Advisory Board. Carmen Farré (Veolia) and Tania Kyriakou (Hellenic Ministry of Culture) praised CARDIMED’s holistic approach, its growing influence, and the added value of connecting diverse stakeholders around NbS.
Field Visits in Aragón
Beyond presentations, the consortium engaged in field visits to see NbS in action.
On day two, partners explored the Alfranca Space, one of Aragón’s most emblematic agro-environmental estates, which combines historical, cultural, and natural heritage.
On the final day, the group travelled to Alcañiz in Teruel. At the Juan de Sobrarías School, participants learned about the Patios por el Clima programme, where renaturalised schoolyards include ecological gardens, chicken coops, ponds, and outdoor classrooms—explained by students themselves.
The visit concluded at Sub-DEMO 6.2, focused on sustainable forest management against mistletoe infestation. Partners saw first-hand the mapping and monitoring activities that compare mistletoe spread over 20 years, with future plans including lidar and multispectral drone flights for precise forest health assessments.
Moving Forward
The 5th General Assembly in Zaragoza reaffirmed CARDIMED’s role as a Mediterranean leader in climate resilience. Over three days, partners worked side by side, shared lessons, and strengthened bonds as a community. The meeting underscored the project’s capacity to deliver concrete solutions, inspire replication, and connect science with society.