This is our final newsletter. As EnerCmed reaches its conclusion on 30 June 2026, we look back on three years of collaboration, innovation and shared commitment to a fair and sustainable energy transition in the Mediterranean. In this edition, we reflect on the project's key achievements, highlight its final activities, and share the tools and knowledge that will continue supporting cities well beyond the project's lifetime.
In this edition:Over the past three years, EnerCmed has demonstrated how Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) can work together to support the regeneration of vulnerable Mediterranean port-city neighbourhoods. By combining clean energy, climate adaptation and community participation, the project has addressed energy poverty, strengthened local resilience and contributed to more sustainable urban environments.
With pilot actions successfully implemented in Genoa, Patras, Pula, Novigrad and Valencia, the EnerCmed approach has moved beyond concept to real-world application. As the project comes to a close, the focus shifts towards its legacy: transferring knowledge, sharing practical tools and supporting other Mediterranean cities in adopting and replicating the model. This final edition highlights the project's concluding milestones, from the Final Event in Genoa to the resources that will ensure its impact continues beyond the project's lifetime.
On 4 June 2026, the EnerCmed Final Event took place in Genoa, jointly organised by the Municipality of Genoa and the University of Genoa (UNIGE), the project's Lead Partner. Bringing together project partners, institutional representatives, researchers and local stakeholders, the event showcased the project's achievements while fostering dialogue on the future of energy-positive and climate-resilient Mediterranean communities.
The morning programme took place at Domenico Ferrero Primary School in Cornigliano, where participants were welcomed by the school's Headteacher, Antonella Marini, and the President of the Cornigliano Municipality, Fabio Ceraudo. Following an overview of the EnerCmed project and a presentation of the pilot actions implemented across the partner cities, participants visited the newly installed rooftop photovoltaic system and attended the inauguration of the “Maniman” educational garden. Developed in collaboration with the Associazione Didattica Museale, the garden provides an outdoor learning space that combines environmental education with nature-based solutions, involving pupils, teachers, families and the local community.
The photovoltaic installations across the two schools are expected to generate approximately 23,682 kWh of renewable energy per year, avoiding around 7.1 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Through collective self-consumption, the pilot demonstrates how Renewable Energy Communities can simultaneously support decarbonisation, reduce energy costs and strengthen local resilience.
Final Event – morning: the rooftop PV pilot and the inauguration of the “Maniman” garden at the Domenico Ferrero school, Cornigliano.
The afternoon programme continued at the Genova Blue District, within the framework of Festival Blue, with the international conference “Energy Transition & Nature-Based Solutions in Mediterranean Cities”. The session opened with contributions from Professor Corrado Schenone (University of Genoa) and Armando Biasi (Liguria Region), followed by three thematic sessions addressing Renewable Energy Communities, green buildings and nature-based urban design, and the replication of the EnerCmed model across Mediterranean territories.
Project partners and pilot cities presented the main results achieved, while the Follower Cities Roadmap was introduced as a key tool to support the transfer of EnerCmed's experience to other cities and regions. The conference created a space for dialogue between local pilot experiences and broader Mediterranean challenges, linking project results to future opportunities for replication and policy uptake.
The day concluded aboard the historic Leudo, as part of the “Il Leudo racconta” initiative of Festival Blue.
Final Event – afternoon: the international conference at the Genova Blue District, closing aboard the historic Leudo.
EnerCmed is pleased to share a major research result from the University of Cyprus (Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory), published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening: compelling scientific evidence that urban trees can significantly mitigate thermal stress in dense Mediterranean cities, with direct implications for public health and climate-adaptation planning.
Source: Alexandrou G. et al., 2026, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening – case study in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Using high-resolution simulations in the historic centre of Nicosia, the researchers found that even a single tree can reduce the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) by up to 5.1°C during peak afternoon hours – enough to shift pedestrians from “very strong” to “strong” heat stress – with cooling reaching downstream up to around three crown widths.
The study introduces an innovative validated framework coupling Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), radiative modelling (SOLWEIG) and human-centred thermal-comfort assessment (UTCI), offering a replicable toolkit for urban planners across the Mediterranean.
Giorgos Alexandrou, Nestoras Antoniou, Petros Mouzourides, Marina K.-A. Neophytou — Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2026.
In the final months of the project, EnerCmed partners continued to advance pilot activities, share results and engage local communities across Greece, Croatia and Spain.
The consortium gathered in Patras for the open workshop “Energy Efficiency Upgrade and Urban Resilience”, held at Agora Argiri. The event presented results from the pilot cities and explored the technical, legal and digital framework for setting up Renewable Energy Communities, together with the role of Nature-Based Solutions in strengthening urban resilience.
The workshop was followed by the project's 5th Steering Committee and a visit to the Patras pilot at the 6th EPAL school complex, where a 50 kW rooftop photovoltaic system, a green roof and a green façade have been implemented. A dedicated kiosk also supports the use of the pilot as an educational tool for students and the wider school community.
As Konstadinos Konstadakopoulos from the Municipality of Patras highlighted, the objective is to create a pilot capable of inspiring other schools to follow a similar path. Lead Partner Professor Corrado Schenone also underlined the long-term ambition of the project, stressing that EnerCmed was designed to continue generating impact beyond its formal conclusion.
Patras: the open workshop and the visit to the green roof at the 6th EPAL pilot (21–22 April 2026).
In the final phase of the project, IRENA continued to engage local communities through a series of dissemination and awareness-raising activities linked to the EnerCmed pilots.
At Rivarela Primary School in Novigrad, students and residents of a local Home for the Elderly planted aromatic herbs together — an intergenerational activity reinforcing the role of Nature-Based Solutions in creating healthier and more climate-resilient school environments while encouraging environmental awareness across generations.
EnerCmed was also presented at the AHA Budapest event in Pula, where IRENA shared the project's integrated approach combining Renewable Energy Communities and Nature-Based Solutions, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and good practices on sustainable urban development and climate resilience.
Croatia: students and Home for the Elderly residents planting aromatic herbs together at the Rivarela school in Novigrad; IRENA also presented EnerCmed at the AHA Budapest event in Pula.
València Sostenible, together with the Universitat Politècnica de València and partners from The HuT and REDENARQUI network, organised the EnerCmed Hackathon on urban solutions to address extreme heat. Bringing together students, researchers and experts, the initiative challenged participants to develop innovative, inclusive and replicable nature-based solutions to protect vulnerable communities from rising temperatures.
The hackathon concluded with the presentation of solutions developed by the three multidisciplinary teams. Their proposals addressed different dimensions of urban heat resilience, including the transformation of bus stops into green micro-climate shelters with vegetation, shading and water access; the creation of community-based cooling spaces for older adults; and the implementation of nature-based urban cooling interventions to reduce the urban heat island effect while delivering social, environmental and economic benefits. Throughout the process, the teams were supported by experts from the Universitat Politècnica de València and València Sostenible, who acted as mentors and jury members.
The hackathon demonstrated how collaborative innovation and community engagement can generate practical ideas to support climate adaptation in Mediterranean cities.
Valencia: teams at work during the EnerCmed Hackathon on urban solutions against extreme heat.
On 26 June, the Autonomous Municipal Body València Sostenible hosted the II Encuentro Frente al Calor, a technical and community workshop bringing together public authorities, EU project managers and local stakeholders to exchange experiences on nature-based solutions, urban renaturalisation and climate adaptation.
The event also showcased the results of the EnerCmed pilot in the Nazaret and Poblats Marítims (Malvarrosa) neighbourhoods, including the CoEnSoMa solidarity Renewable Energy Community, the new bioclimatic pergola at CEIP Ballester Fandos and the vegetated pergola planned for Las Moreras.
The workshop featured presentations from project partners and invited experts on climate-adaptive school environments, participatory co-design processes and neighbourhood-scale urban regeneration. Speakers shared experiences from Valencia, Madrid and Zaragoza, highlighting how nature-based solutions can improve thermal comfort, strengthen social cohesion and create healthier, more resilient public spaces. These exchanges provided valuable inspiration for scaling up similar interventions across Mediterranean cities.
The afternoon continued with an open community celebration at CEIP Ballester Fandos, welcoming the school community, local residents and civil society organisations.
Together, these interventions demonstrate how Renewable Energy Communities and Nature-Based Solutions can be combined to reduce urban heat, support vulnerable households and strengthen community resilience.
Valencia: the “II Encuentro frente al calor” workshop and community activities, 26 June.
Although EnerCmed concludes on 30 June 2026, its results continue through the EnerCmed Replication Package, designed to help public authorities and stakeholders adapt the REC–NBS model to their own territories.
The package includes practical tools for assessment, planning, training and implementation:
1Feasibility Scan Tool+
2Knowledge Sharing Platform+
3Guidelines & Terms of Reference+
4Action & NBS Portfolios+
5One-Stop Shop & MED Revolving Fund+
To further support knowledge transfer, selected project outputs have also been integrated into the Euro-MED Academy, while the Follower Cities Roadmap provides a structured pathway for cities interested in exploring and adapting the EnerCmed approach.
The project comes to an end, but the knowledge, partnerships and tools developed through EnerCmed will continue supporting Mediterranean cities in building more resilient, inclusive and energy-positive communities.
EnerCmed has been made possible through the commitment, expertise and collaboration of a diverse partnership working towards a common vision of a more sustainable and resilient Mediterranean.
Our sincere thanks go to the project partners – the University of Genoa (Lead Partner), SINLOC, the University of Cyprus, València Sostenible, IRENA – Istrian Regional Energy Agency, the Municipality of Patras, the Municipality of Genoa, ETRA and the Municipality of Larnaka – as well as to the project's pilot partners and Follower Cities that contributed throughout the project.
We also extend our gratitude to the schools, institutions, researchers, local authorities, associations and citizens who actively participated in the pilot actions, dissemination activities and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Their engagement has been fundamental in transforming the EnerCmed vision into concrete action.
As this chapter comes to a close, the partnerships, knowledge and practical solutions developed through EnerCmed will continue supporting Mediterranean communities in their transition towards more inclusive, climate-resilient and energy-positive cities.
Thank you for being part of the EnerCmed journey.
Our mailing address is: enercmed@interreg-euro-med.eu