High-Level Conferences in Palma advance cooperation and replicable solutions for Flood risk management

On the 15th and 16th April, Palma (Balearic Islands, Spain) hosted two intensive days dedicated to flood risk management welcoming a High-Level conference on flood risk management and the fourth LocAll4Flood project session with the presentation of the project’s final results to a group of committed stakeholders. The events, organised by the Government of the Balearic Islands, Euroregion Pyrenees-Mediterranean and the University of the Balearic Islands, gathered institutional representatives, researchers, public authorities and emergency experts. They exchanged strategies on prevention, adaptation and response to increasing flood risks in the Mediterranean region and signed a collaboration agreement with the participating entities in flood-prone areas of the Balearic Islands to continue strengthening flood risk management beyond the lifetime of the project.

On the 15th April, representatives from the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Occitanie and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes took part in the meeting. They highlighted the importance of cooperation between territories and institutions to address climate challenges. Additionally, they shared the methodologies, tools and practices implemented in their territories. During the conference, the project LocAll4Flood was presented by Cels García (Professor of Geography at the University of the Balearic Islands) and special attention was given to the replicability of the project’s pilot actions. Since the methodologies, tools and protocols developed within LocAll4Flood are designed to be transferred and adapted to other Mediterranean regions, it was an excellent occasion to present them in front of representatives of different Mediterranean territories. This transfer capacity is essential to maximise the long-term impact of the project and to transform successful local experiences into shared Euromediterranean solutions.

On the 16th April, LocAll4Flood project session complemented the previous day’s conference with the presentation of the project’s final results to a diverse group of committed stakeholders, including the Palma Fire Brigade, technicians from the municipalities of Palma and Marratxí, Emergency Service 112, educational centres and collaborating private companies. Participants exchanged experiences, discussed lessons learned and took part in a practical co-creation exercise for the Palma Action Plan, aimed at reinforcing territorial flood risk management, improving communication with citizens and translating knowledge into concrete actions.

Overall, the interest and the shared commitment underlines the importance of long-term cooperation as a key driver for building more resilient territories in the Mediterranean region.