The first DesirMED Festival, co-organised with the GreenLink project, will take place on 25–26 September in Larnaka, Cyprus, alongside Mediterranean Coast Day (25 September). The Festival, with the title "The Mediterranean we desire", creates a unique opportunity to engage citizens, policymakers and local communities on climate adaptation and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the Mediterranean region.

The Festival will kick off with a policy-focused session highlighting the role of NbS in climate adaptation and coastal resilience, showcasing inspiring examples from across the Mediterranean. High-level speakers and decision-makers will lead the panel discussion, "The Importance of Nature-based Solutions and Resilient Coastal Planning", offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of building more resilient coastal communities across the region.

In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to join a series of sessions dedicated to the role of NbS in building regional resilience. Through the exchange of experiences and best practices from across the Mediterranean, experts and practitioners will explore how Nature-based Solutions are helping communities tackle key climate hazards, including coastal erosion and urban heat waves. A poster session will be included for showcasing examples of climate adaptation initiatives across MED (you can declare your interest to participate through the registration form below).

The second day will focus on raising awareness of climate change and the importance of climate adaptation. Open to all, participants and citizens alike will have the opportunity to discover adaptation initiatives from across the Mediterranean in Larnaka's Europe Square, engage with interactive installations, and enjoy a range of activities, including a Giant Interactive Map, live music performances, and networking opportunities.

The event will be organised by the DesirMED consortium in collaboration with the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus.