The Spanish Cooperation and Development Agency (AECID) gathered important stakeholders of the development cooperation action in North Africa and the Arab World to present its brand new regional programme, Masar Al’an. Casa Mediterraneo in Alacant hosted the meetings and debates in and gathered representatives of the Spanish cooperation offices, the relevant ministries in the MENA region, and institutions that promote regional integration. Masar Al’an will encompass and cover different initiatives and projects in the region, including a new project launched in October 2024 and led by MedCities, named NATURIncMed project.

MedCities was represented by Konstantia Nikopoulou, Progammes director, and Laia Vinyes, project officer currently in charge of the launching phase of NATURIncMed project, funded in the frame of AECID’s brand new program Masar Al’an. NATURIncMed project aims to support three pilot Mediterranean municipalities in the design and future implementation of greening projects with a socially inclusive perspective. The project will promote knowledge exchange, innovative local projects and training opportunities not only for the pilot cities but for the members of the network on topics such as climate-resilient urbanism, nature-based solutions, or gender inclusion.

During its intervention in the morning round table, Ms. Nikopoulou highlighted that the principles and objectives of the Masa Al’an program converge with the lines of work and raison d’être of MedCities and that it is, therefore, a joint venture where the municipal perspective into sustainable development will be mainstreamed, adding that the project will open up windows for further collaboration on sustainable and green urbanism and social cohesion.

The meeting took place on 21 and 22 January 2025.