After the welcoming event to the Mission for Nature (M4N) from the Interreg Euro MED program for the thirteen thematic projects last February, the Dialogue4Nature (D4N) organized a more specific event at the end of April to introduce the four thematic working groups (WG). These WGs are led by the D4N partners but are conceived by the whole M4N as a space for networking, capacity building, and knowledge production. The event aimed to introduce the WGs objectives and let the thematic projects choose the WG that suits best their interests.

From MedCities side, we are leading the WG2 on Overcoming Local Barriers for Climate Change Adaptation. The current general targets are tackling critical issues concerning urban and peri-urban areas in nexus to biodiversity and climate crisis to minimize the negative impacts on biodiversity loss linked to urban expansion. To achieve them, in a joint agreement with the D4N partners, we chose to contribute to the new Global Biodiversity Framework, in particular, to target T8 on Minimize the Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Build Resilience and t target 12 on Enhance Green Spaces and Urban Planning for Human Well-Being and Biodiversity.

To achieve these two targets, we will contribute to thematic projects’ capacity building as well as support them in achieving their policy outcomes. On the one hand, increasing knowledge on the subject matter at all levels of governance is essential to change attitudes and make better-informed decisions. On the other hand, the WG will act as a platform to reward good practices and promote good work on a policy basis. In this sense, it will be a local, national, and regional amplifier of the thematic project policy outcomes.

During the current year, all WG will frame their work in the context of the EU Nature Restoration Law, whose final approval is in a critical moment.

The next steps include the first face to face M4N community building with all 13 thematic on the 26th and 27th of June in Rovinj, Croatia, a WG webinar in October, and the second Dialogue 4 Nature next November in Málaga. This process will result in a joint WGs and M4N position paper towards the EU Nature Restoration Law.