As part of the CARDIMED Open-Air Exhibition Events organised across all demonstration sites, the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), together with Utrecht University (UU) and the Municipality of Western Lesvos, organised on June 16th a community engagement event at CARDIMED sub-DEMO1.1 in Lesvos, Greece.
The initiative brought together local stakeholders to showcase the progress of the demonstration site while creating opportunities for dialogue on the role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in strengthening climate resilience and sustainable water management.
The day began with a guided visit to the demonstration site, where participants explored the CARDIMED interventions implemented in the area and learned how these actions contribute to addressing local environmental challenges. Throughout the tour, the project team explained the objectives of the demonstration, the expected environmental benefits and the importance of monitoring the implemented solutions over time.
Following the site visit, the activities continued at the Antissa Community Centre, where representatives from cultural organisations, local authorities, farmers and agricultural cooperatives, agronomists, livestock farmers, NGOs, local media and members of the wider community took part in a series of interactive workshops.
The workshops were designed to increase awareness of the CARDIMED project while encouraging dialogue and active participation among stakeholders. Participants exchanged perspectives on local environmental challenges, discussed the potential of Nature-based Solutions to improve water resilience and explored how collaborative approaches can support the long-term sustainability of the interventions.
The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing an informal setting for participants to reflect on the day’s activities, exchange ideas and discuss the outcomes of the workshops. The conversations reinforced the importance of involving local communities throughout the implementation of Nature-based Solutions, ensuring that scientific knowledge is complemented by local experience and stakeholder engagement.
By combining site visits, participatory workshops and open dialogue, the Open-Air Exhibition in Lesvos demonstrated how community involvement is essential for building ownership, strengthening collaboration and supporting the successful implementation of climate adaptation measures. Through initiatives such as these, CARDIMED continues to promote Nature-based Solutions not only as technical interventions, but also as collaborative processes that place local communities at the centre of climate resilience.
