Mediterranean islands unite forces against the climate crisis: Cyprus, Crete, and Malta in a joint action to inform their citizens through democratic processes about the environment, as part of RESIsles, a new European project starting today, June 6, 2024, according to the AKTI Center for Studies and Research.

As stated in the Center's announcement, RESIsles aims to open the dialogue on the economic, social, and environmental challenges related to climate that Cyprus, Malta, and Crete—the three most populous and vulnerable Mediterranean islands—are facing.

The Cypriot NGO AKTI Center for Studies and Research, in collaboration with the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR) and the environmental organization Nature Trust FEE Malta (NTM), will train over 1,700 citizens affected by climate change, with an emphasis on young people, women, and residents of rural or remote areas.

School presentations, training seminars for trainers, competitions, co-creation cafés, festivals for youth and rural communities, and knowledge transfer events are some of the activities that AKTI, HCMR, and NTM will carry out to help citizens understand EU policy issues and gain the necessary tools for participation in European, national, and local democratic decision-making processes regarding climate and the environment.

It is highlighted that the project will promote the democratic participation of citizens, contributing to achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and the European Strategy for a Sustainable Blue Economy, aiming for a transition towards a greener future.