GREW Project Hosts International Online Marketplace to Strengthen Local Communities’ Climate Resilience
19/09/2026
The international online Marketplace “Building Climate-Resilient Communities through Better Governance – Where Problems Meet Solutions” took place on 18 September, 2026, organised by AGRRA within the Interreg Italy–Croatia GREW project, in cooperation with the Community of Practice of Wetland Contracts in the Mediterranean and the GREW project partners.
The event brought together project partners and stakeholders to exchange experiences on implementing wetland contracts as participatory governance tools for climate adaptation across eight pilot wetlands. Participants presented local experiences, discussed common challenges and shared achievements, including action plans, monitoring activities and stakeholder engagement.
Discussions addressed pressures affecting wetlands, such as salinisation, drought, fires and invasive species. The exchanges highlighted the need to adapt wetland contracts to each area’s social and ecological context while strengthening cooperation among local communities, farmers, public institutions and economic stakeholders.
A recurring theme was the importance of building trust and a shared sense of responsibility. Participants emphasised that effective wetland governance required both scientific knowledge and community perspectives, alongside clearly defined responsibilities and long-term resources beyond project funding.
The Marketplace also showcased practices with potential for replication in other territories, including participatory planning, citizen science, prioritised actions and nature-based infrastructure. These examples illustrated how locally grounded approaches could support wetland conservation and strengthen territorial resilience.
The event provided an opportunity for mutual learning and reinforced the importance of sustained cooperation in translating wetland contracts into practical climate adaptation actions.