From October 28 to 30, 2024, the historic city of Cáceres, Spain, hosted the TRANS-lighthouses third in-person Consortium Meeting. The meeting hosted by the University of Extremadura (UEx) with support from the Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra counted 46 participants representing 18 different institutions from across Europe.
Innovative Workshops and Collaborative Sessions
The heart of the meeting consisted of interactive workshops and collaborative sessions. European partners took the lead in organizing and facilitating these moments, fostering an environment of knowledge exchange and innovation. These sessions were crucial in pushing forward the project's goals and developing new strategies for implementing NBS across various European contexts.
Technical Visit: Botija Composting Living Lab
A highlight of the meeting was the technical visit to the Botija Composting Living Lab in Cáceres province. This pilot project showcases practical implementation of composting initiatives. The delegation had the opportunity to engage with the local mayor, Juan Rentero de la Morena, for an in-depth discussion on the project's participatory approach.
Sensory Experience: Compost Tasting
In a unique and engaging activity, Economias BioRegionales, organized a compost-tasting experience. This activity aimed to open participants' senses and hearts to the potential of composting, providing a tangible connection to the end product of sustainable waste management practices.
Political Engagement
While the focus was on the collaborative efforts of European partners, the meeting also benefited from the presence of several elected representatives. These included Isabel Simões Pinto, Councilwoman of the Municipality of Estarreja (Portugal), Mariana Carvalho, Councilwoman of the Municipality of Barcelos (Portugal) Francesca Morpurgo, Councilwoman of the II Municipality of Rome (Italy), Jacobi Ceballos, Councilwoman of the Municipality of Cáceres (Spain) and Ari Habeshian, Counsellor, Chair of European Affairs of the City Council (Cyprus). With these elected representatives, a series of engaging parallel workshops and roundtables were held and aimed at facilitating peer-to-peer learning, sharing best practices, and motivating political leaders to support collaborative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) governance.
Looking Ahead
The TRANS-lighthouses Consortium Meeting in Cáceres has paved the way for more effective implementation of NBS across Europe. As we reflect on the success of this gathering, it's clear that the insights gained and connections made will have a lasting impact. The collaborative spirit witnessed in Cáceres is a testament to the power of collective action in tackling pressing social and ecological issues, promising a greener, more sustainable future for European cities.
From October 28 to 30, 2024, the historic city of Cáceres, Spain, hosted the TRANS-lighthouses third in-person Consortium Meeting. The meeting hosted by the University of Extremadura (UEx) with support from the Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra counted 46 participants representing 18 different institutions from across Europe.
Innovative Workshops and Collaborative Sessions
The heart of the meeting consisted of interactive workshops and collaborative sessions. European partners took the lead in organizing and facilitating these moments, fostering an environment of knowledge exchange and innovation. These sessions were crucial in pushing forward the project's goals and developing new strategies for implementing NBS across various European contexts.
Technical Visit: Botija Composting Living Lab
A highlight of the meeting was the technical visit to the Botija Composting Living Lab in Cáceres province. This pilot project showcases practical implementation of composting initiatives. The delegation had the opportunity to engage with the local mayor, Juan Rentero de la Morena, for an in-depth discussion on the project's participatory approach.
Sensory Experience: Compost Tasting
In a unique and engaging activity, Economias BioRegionales, organized a compost-tasting experience. This activity aimed to open participants' senses and hearts to the potential of composting, providing a tangible connection to the end product of sustainable waste management practices.
Political Engagement
While the focus was on the collaborative efforts of European partners, the meeting also benefited from the presence of several elected representatives. These included Isabel Simões Pinto, Councilwoman of the Municipality of Estarreja (Portugal), Mariana Carvalho, Councilwoman of the Municipality of Barcelos (Portugal) Francesca Morpurgo, Councilwoman of the II Municipality of Rome (Italy), Jacobi Ceballos, Councilwoman of the Municipality of Cáceres (Spain) and Ari Habeshian, Counsellor, Chair of European Affairs of the City Council (Cyprus). With these elected representatives, a series of engaging parallel workshops and roundtables were held and aimed at facilitating peer-to-peer learning, sharing best practices, and motivating political leaders to support collaborative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) governance.
Looking Ahead
The TRANS-lighthouses Consortium Meeting in Cáceres has paved the way for more effective implementation of NBS across Europe. As we reflect on the success of this gathering, it's clear that the insights gained and connections made will have a lasting impact. The collaborative spirit witnessed in Cáceres is a testament to the power of collective action in tackling pressing social and ecological issues, promising a greener, more sustainable future for European cities.
