From Knowledge to Action: Communities Facing Drought Together Across the Mediterranean

On 17 June 2026, on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, GIOSEF Italy will take part in a new event within YouthCare4Planet – Youth Green Initiative for Change, a project funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme that brings together organisations and communities from across the Mediterranean to promote environmental sustainability and youth participation.

The online event, titled “From Knowledge to Action: Communities Facing Drought Together”, will provide an opportunity to explore one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: the increasing pressure that climate change places on water resources and Mediterranean territories.

A Challenge That Concerns Us All

Desertification and drought are no longer distant phenomena affecting only specific regions of the world. In recent years, the Mediterranean has been identified by the scientific community as one of the areas most vulnerable to climate change, with direct consequences for water availability, agriculture, ecosystems and the quality of life of local communities.

Addressing these challenges requires not only technical solutions and effective public policies, but also greater collective awareness and the ability of communities to share knowledge, experiences and good practices.

The Contribution of Scientific Research

The first part of the focus group will feature Dr. Sofia Maria Muscarella, researcher at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences of the University of Palermo.

Her research focuses on soil fertility, sustainable management of natural resources and strategies to combat land degradation. During the event, she will provide a scientific overview of desertification and drought, highlighting the strategic role of soil in food security, ecosystem resilience and climate change adaptation.

Through an accessible and informative approach, her presentation will help participants better understand the connections between land management, water resources and environmental sustainability.

Palermo and Casapesenna: Different Territories, Shared Challenges

The second part of the event will be dedicated to an open conversation between the communities of Palermo and Casapesenna, two territories with different histories and characteristics but facing similar environmental challenges.

Participants will exchange experiences, discuss local issues and explore possible solutions related to water management, land protection and community resilience in the face of climate change.

This dialogue reflects one of the core objectives of YouthCare4Planet: creating spaces where scientific knowledge and local experiences can meet, generating new ideas and collective action.

Young People at the Heart of the Ecological Transition

Through YouthCare4Planet, partner organisations are promoting participation pathways that engage young people from across the Mediterranean, strengthening environmental awareness and developing skills needed to address the challenges of the ecological transition.

The project is based on the belief that sustainability cannot be achieved solely through institutional decisions but requires the active involvement of communities and younger generations.

Events such as this focus group provide valuable opportunities to transform knowledge into participation and to build networks capable of generating meaningful local and international impact.

Event Information

Focus Group: From Knowledge to Action – Communities Facing Drought Together

📅 17 June 2026
🕒 15:30 – 17:30 (CEST)
📍 Online via Zoom

🔗Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zvJacGFQRJClRmkyDQkQ4w#/registration

With the support of YLRG. The initiative is organised within the framework of YouthCare4Planet – Youth Green Initiative for Change, funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, and promoted by COSPE together with GIOSEF Italy, iDebate Tunisia, Greenish, Enactus Tunisia and MIO-ECSDE.