Climate strategies, local action plans, youth engagement and more! Naguib Amin, Team Leader of the Clima-Med project, shares how this EU-funded initiative is helping countries in the Southern Neighbourhood transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future—while empowering municipalities and young people to take meaningful action. Read all about it in the following interview.

1. What is Clima-Med, and what impact does it aim to achieve?

The Clima-Med project, launched in 2018, supports partner countries in the Southern Neighbourhood in their transition towards sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient development. It builds on the experience of CES-Med and other EU climate programmes. Each partner country has a national Focal Point and Coordination group. Clima-Med has delivered a Climate Action Strategy for NDC mainstreaming in seven countries, a SEACAP preparation handbook, and a Climate Finance Guidebook with country annexes. Over 80 local authorities have developed SEACAPs through a learning-by-doing approach. Clima-Med also established the Covenant of Mayors for the Mediterranean (CoM Med), uniting municipalities from 19 countries under the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM).

2. What activities, initiatives or opportunities for participation should young people know about?

Young people are encouraged to explore the Clima-Med and CoM Med websites, where they can access a wide range of resources and documents. They can then watch our films about the project in each country and become acquainted with our partners through these.  In addition to preparing the SEACAPs, the project has developed communication action plans, which provide a genuine opportunity for young people to learn about their municipalities’ activities aimed at combating climate change

3. What advice do you wish you had received at 20?

Engage with environmental and nature protection issues in your community, either by participating in activities led by NGOs and /or of the municipality and proposing innovative solutions for improving the conditions. This engagement will also broaden your perspective about future careers in sustainability and earth protection.