The second Annual Meeting of the OurMED Project took place on May 13–14, 2025, in the historic city of Naples, Italy. Hosted at the prestigious Historical Library of the Faculty of Engineering (UNINA), the event brought together over 40 participants, including project partners and advisory board members.
Over the course of two days, participants shared the progress achieved across all eight Work Packages (WPs), addressing key scientific and operational challenges related to water management, nature-based solutions (NbS), governance, data integration, digital twin development, and stakeholder engagement.
Work Package Progress Updates
Each WP leader presented recent achievements, discussed unexpected challenges, and outlined next steps. These updates fostered a shared understanding of the project’s direction and reinforced alignment across teams.
Workshops
- NbS Implementation and Local Expertise: This workshop focused on gathering local expert knowledge to validate the NbS maps developed for each demo site. Special attention was given to financial mechanisms and economic barriers to NbS implementation, highlighting the importance of integrating local and scientific knowledge.
- Cross-Cutting Activities and Scientific Challenges: Designed to enhance collaboration, this session aimed to strengthen relationships among project partners and foster interdisciplinary dialogue.
- Publication Planning: The final workshop was dedicated to planning scientific outputs, with 35 publications included in the project’s dissemination roadmap.
Spotlight on Young Researchers
A special moment during the meeting was the introduction of NextGen4MED, a new initiative designed to foster the involvement of young researchers in the Mediterranean’s sustainable water transition.
A Reminder from Nature
As the consortium discussed resilience and risk, a minor earthquake struck Naples on May 13 at 12:07 PM. While it caused no damage, the event served as a powerful symbolic reminder of the unpredictability of natural systems — and the critical importance of OurMED’s mission.
Beyond the formal sessions, the meeting was marked by a spirit of collaboration, mutual learning, and a shared ambition to build long-term resilience for Mediterranean communities. Participants left Naples with renewed motivation and a clear roadmap for the months ahead.
Thank you to all participants for their commitment and valuable contributions.
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