Towards Climate Resilience: Highlights from the DesirMED Regional Workshop in Larnaca, Cyprus

As part of the DesirMED project, a regional workshop was held in Larnaca in March, bringing together stakeholders from public authorities, academia, civil society, and the business sector with the aim to co-create a shared vision for climate resilience using Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

The event, co-organized by the Cyprus Energy Agency (CEA) and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), fostered active dialogue around the region’s climate vulnerabilities and the potential for locally tailored NbS. Key concerns expressed by the participants included fragmented governance, a coastal management system that decreases coastal resilience, limited data availability, and the lack of green spaces and inclusive city planning in Larnaca.

Through participatory mapping and discussion sessions, the workshop highlighted the need for improved planning and accessible public consultations. While skepticism around some NbS remains, especially in terms of aesthetics and effectiveness, the workshop revealed a desire for deeper engagement and action.