The COASTRUST team — represented by partners from Greece (Region of Western Greece), Croatia (Regional Agency DUNEA), and Italy (Roma Tre University and SUSDEF) — actively participated in the Natural Heritage Mission (NHM) Annual Institutional Dialogue held from 25–27 November 2025 in Barcelona. This major Mediterranean event gathered experts, institutions, and project teams to discuss environmental governance, nature restoration policies, and innovative solutions for protecting natural heritage.
Over the three-day programme, participants explored the implications of new EU and Mediterranean strategies, focusing on practical approaches for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation. Within this context, the COASTRUST team played a visible and active role in several parts of the agenda.
During the NHM Community of Practice sessions, COASTRUST was highlighted as a transferable and scalable approach to coastal resilience.
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Flaminia Squitieri (SUSDEF) contributed to the session on Nature Restoration Plans, presenting how COASTRUST solutions can support restoration efforts and complement emerging policy frameworks across the Mediterranean.
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Federica Di Pietrantonio (Roma Tre University) presented COASTRUST during the session on forest, MPA, and coastal adaptation solutions, offering insights into how project methodologies contribute to environmental governance and nature-based management strategies.
- Jasna Prskalo Kasumović (DUNEA) presented the project’s stewardship model during the session dedicated to introducing the first transferable solutions developed by NHM thematic projects. Her contribution helped position COASTRUST among practical tools supporting integrated coastal and marine governance.
Their combined contributions showcased the diversity and depth of COASTRUST expertise, reinforcing the project’s relevance within the broader NHM community.
On the final day, the COASTRUST team engaged in bilateral meetings designed to promote knowledge transfer and foster partnerships. These one-to-one exchanges allowed representatives to present COASTRUST methodologies in detail, respond to technical questions from stakeholders, and explore possibilities for applying project solutions in different Mediterranean regions. The meetings also facilitated new connections with complementary initiatives and opened pathways for replication and scaling of COASTRUST approaches.
By participating in the NHM Annual Institutional Dialogue, the COASTRUST partnership strengthened its position within the Euro-Mediterranean network committed to sustainable natural heritage management. The presence and contributions of partners from Greece, Croatia, and Italy highlighted the project’s commitment to collaborative, transnational action and to developing effective, transferable solutions for resilient Mediterranean coastal areas.
