Circle the Med
The Mediterranean Forum 8th edition

Tue 3 Jun - Wed 4 Jun 2025
All times are based on Athens (EEST)
09:00 - 09:30
Welcome and registration
09:00 - 17:30
Adaptation Exhibition: Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address climate adaptation Powered by DesirMED

A poster exhibition showcasing the transformative climate adaptation pathways of the 8 DesirMED pilot regions.

Co-organized by:
09:30 - 10:45
Creating Synergies: DesirMED and INFIRE National Roundtable: "Financing the future: green investments for a resilient and carbon-neutral Mediterranean"

The inaugural INFIRE National Roundtable in Greece will be convened within the distinguished framework of the 8th Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum, a leading platform dedicated to advancing sustainable development across the Mediterranean region.

This high-level session will bring together key national and regional stakeholders to engage in strategic dialogue on pressing climate challenges, with a particular focus on climate adaptation and carbon neutrality. Participants will explore national strategies, examine local initiatives, and identify collaborative pathways to accelerate progress towards environmental resilience and sustainability.

Speakers :
 Vedrana Vidiček
Vedrana Vidiček
Junior Project Leader at North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency
 Dr. Eudokia Balamou
Dr. Eudokia Balamou
Operations Manager of Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Agency (Cyprus)
 Chris Vrettos
Chris Vrettos
Financing Policy Officer at REScoop.eu
 Evangelos Fragkakis
Evangelos Fragkakis
Mayor of Chalki
Moderator :
 Dimitrios Kokosioulis
Dimitrios Kokosioulis
Circular economy Expert, Dynamic Vision, Hellenic Republic
Co-organized by:
10:45 - 12:00
Empowering Small Islands

Decarbonization, Circular Economy Solutions for Plastic Waste and NbS in the Mediterranean Islands

Speakers :
 Gianni Chianetta
Gianni Chianetta
Chair - Greening the Islands Foundation
 Giorgos Sarelakos
Giorgos Sarelakos
Founder & President of Aegean Rebreath
 Beatrice Decker
Beatrice Decker
Environmental Engineer, German Recycling Technologies and Waste Management Partnership e.V. (RETech)
 Simone Bastianoni
Simone Bastianoni
Vice Rector, Professor of Environmental and Cultural Heritage Chemistry, University of Siena
 Kyriakos Tsitouridis
Kyriakos Tsitouridis
Clean-tech Entrepreneur, Compost Systems
 Holger Kuhle
Holger Kuhle
Policy advisor for strategic knowledge partnerships at the GIZ
 Irene Mikelis
Irene Mikelis
EU Projects Manager at INSULEUR
 Roxani Bei
Roxani Bei
Deputy Mayor for Cleaning and Recycling, Municipality of Athens
 Stelios Spanoudakis
Stelios Spanoudakis
Deputy Mayor for Environment, Circular Economy, and Quality of Life of the Municipality of Rethymno
 Evangelos Fragkakis
Evangelos Fragkakis
Mayor of Chalki
 Ranko Blažević
Ranko Blažević
Mayor of Sutivan
 Theodoros Tzoumas
Theodoros Tzoumas
Mayor of Skiathos Island
Moderator :
 Konstantinos Karampourniotis
Konstantinos Karampourniotis
Climate and circular economy expert
Co-organized by:
12:00 - 12:30
Coffee Break
12:30 - 14:00
EU Grants Networking Workshop: Building Consortia for a Resilient, Green, and Inclusive Mediterranean Part I (moderators: CORE INNOVATION, JOIST)
Co-organized by:
14:00 - 15:00
Networking Lunch
15:00 - 15:55
EU Grants Networking Workshop: Building Consortia for a Resilient, Green, and Inclusive Mediterranean Part II (moderators: CORE INNOVATION, JOIST)
Speakers :
 Alexandros Touloumtzidis
Alexandros Touloumtzidis
Expert in Rural Development & Sustainability at JOIST Innovation Park & iED
Moderator :
 Alexandra Kyritsaka
Alexandra Kyritsaka
Head of EU Planning and Proposals Unit at JOIST Innovation Park & iED
Co-organized by:
15:55 - 17:30
Adaptation Exhibition: Young innovators and mentors aiming for innovative NbS for climate adaptation

DesirMED Adaptation Exhibition aims to engage young audiences and bring them together with experts to open a dialogue and work on Nature Based Solutions for climate resilient water management. The session involves presentation of DesirMED concept and successful NbS cases from DesirMED and other projects working on climate adaptation. It will also be the closure of the DesirMED Innovative Ideas competition, where university students will build on their innovative ideas and share them among their peers. A winning idea will be selected and will be involved in other DesirMED activities in the future.

Speakers :
 Elisa Furlan
Elisa Furlan
CMCC (DesirMED project Lead Organization)
 Ioannis Tsoukalidis
Ioannis Tsoukalidis
Special Advisor of Paggaion Municipality, Greece
 Simos Malamis
Simos Malamis
Associate Professor at the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the School of Civil Engineering of NTUA (CARDIMED project)
Moderator :
Co-organized by:
16:00 - 17:30
Parallel Session - Dialogue 4 Tourism, Sustainable Tourism Policy Lab
Speakers :
 Dr. Ornela Çuçi
Dr. Ornela Çuçi
Former Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, environmental scientist, seasoned policymaker, and international climate finance expert
 Alexandra Cousteau
Alexandra Cousteau
Co-Founder and President of Oceans 2050
 Fokion A. Zaimis
Fokion A. Zaimis
Deputy Governor of Achaia of the Region of Western Greece,President of the CPMR Balkan and Black Sea Commission and Vice-President of the CPMR Intermediterranean Commission
Co-organized by:
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