SUREPASTOR contributes to shaping the future of Mediterranean land and water management

In November 2025, SUREPASTOR representatives were invited by the PRIMA SALAM-MED project to participate to the Science–policy conference for the next generation “Rethinking the Futures of Mediterranean Land and Water” which was held at the Academy of Athens.

During this event, PRIMA, FAO, UNCCD, NextGen4MED and representatives of PRIMA-funded projects—including initiatives working across land, water, agriculture, and community innovation—signed a Joint Declaration on the future priorities for Mediterranean land and water management.
The Mediterranean is facing unprecedented pressures—from climate change and desertification to water scarcity and socio-economic inequalities. The Joint Declaration recognises that these challenges can only be addressed through integrated, cross-border solutions that connect science, policy, and practice.
Building on PRIMA’s significant achievements—more than 260 cross-border projects, €600 million mobilised, and over 170 exploitable results since 2018—the declaration outlines a shared vision: deeper cooperation between North and South Mediterranean countries, stronger pathways from innovation to adoption, and the long-term sustainability of knowledge, networks, and partnerships.
We are proud that SUREPASTOR aligns strongly with the priorities articulated in this declaration, particularly its call to:

• Advance integrated water–soil–ecosystem approaches and nature-based solutions, as demonstrated in projects such as SALAM-MED and NATMed.
• Strengthen co-design and Living Labs, engaging farmers, pastoralists, communities, and local institutions as active co-leaders of innovation.
• Support next-generation innovators and researchers, following the example of the emerging NextGen4MED network.

The declaration also emphasises the need for stronger policy engagement, multi-site adaptation, scaling pathways, and cross-Mediterranean knowledge hubs—goals that resonate deeply with SUREPASTOR’s mission to co-create sustainable and resilient pastoral systems across diverse Mediterranean landscapes.
As the Mediterranean stands at a critical crossroads, SUREPASTOR remains committed to advancing evidence-based approaches and empowering communities to contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.