On 15th May 2026, Professor Georgios Sylaios (DUTH partner) represented the DesirMED project at the Kavala Forest Service’s “Environment & Economy” conference, joining regional authorities, forestry and environmental services, technical experts and civil‑society actors to strengthen local engagement on water, ecosystems and the bioeconomy.
The one‑day forum, organised by the Kavala Forest Directorate and the Kavala Forest Service, brought together more than 100 participants from public administration, local government and the scientific community. The programme focused on the links between forest management, water resources and regional economic resilience under climate change.
Professor Sylaios framed his intervention around three actionable themes:
- Water as a strategic resource,
- Integrated land–sea management and
- Evidence‑based tools for decision‑making.
He emphasised Nature‑Based Solutions and bioeconomy practices as practical pathways to reduce vulnerability while creating local economic opportunities.
Professor Sylaios used the platform to invite local stakeholders into DesirMED’s regional campaign. He particularly stressed the importance of:
- Co‑design of pilot actions on wastewater reuse and nutrient recovery.
- Collaboration on monitoring and KPIs to make scientific outputs operational for environmental managers.
- Capacity building through targeted workshops and technical briefs.
The presentation generated active discussion with forestry managers and municipal representatives about potential pilot sites and training needs. Participants requested follow‑up materials and expressed interest in joint workshops.
