Last week marked an important milestone as the Clima-Med project held its final Steering Committee Meeting in Brussels, celebrating seven years of dedicated climate action across the Mediterranean. Presided over by EU officials Cristina Casella, Program Manager for Climate Action, DG MENA, and Andrea Vera, Head of Sector for Connectivity, Environment, and Climate, along with the Clima-Med team, the event was more than a formal conclusion. It was a celebration of achievements, a recognition of commitment, and a reaffirmation of the ongoing climate journey that will continue beyond the project’s end. More than 80 participants attended, both in person and online, representing beneficiary cities, ministries, partner organisations, and associations of cities.

The Clima-Med team presented the valuable learning tools that will continue serving Mediterranean cities: The Climate Action Strategies for each country, the SEACAP Preparation Manual, and the Climate Finance Guidebook. These resources, developed through years of practical experience and collaboration, represent a living legacy of knowledge transfer. Alongside these tools, the team showcased flagship projects and inspiring success stories demonstrating real, measurable impact across the region and corroborating that climate commitments can indeed translate into tangible community benefits.

Compelling insights from Lebanon were shared, such as the SEACAP roadmap developed with the CEDRO V programme, which provided a long-term sustainable energy strategy. Installing 24 solar PV systems across 14 villages powered healthcare centres, schools, municipal buildings, and libraries, improving services while reducing pollution. Municipalities have acquired clear visions through priority projects that address and adapt to climate change effects, incorporating SEACAP priorities and themes into their strategic development plans.

In facing climate change, raising awareness emerged as a major challenge. Jordan’s Karak municipality appreciated how SEACAPs focus on raising employees’ awareness and showcased how this approach inspired the Green Directorate Competition to advance municipal capacity. The results were described as astonishing, demonstrating how climate action can be institutionalised locally. Yet challenges in raising climate awareness remain: lack of knowledge and understanding, resistance to behavioural change, difficulty reaching target audiences, and conflicting agendas with daily life priorities.

As the meeting ended, the concluding remarks captured the emotional and professional significance of the moment. Naguib Amin, Clima-Med Team Leader, offered an inspiring vision: “The project leaves us with a legacy of passionate commitments, innovative capabilities, and resilient institutions. Every day, we receive collaboration requests from governments and cities across 19 CoM Med countries, demonstrating we’re making a positive impact and that cities in the south Mediterranean are on the right course.