Stakeholder workshops across six Mediterranean countries are contributing to a joint gap analysis, identifying common needs, challenges, and priorities for improving wildfire management.
On 30 April 2026, the SIMMER team hosted a stakeholder workshop at the European University Cyprus. The event contributes to a coordinated effort across six Mediterranean countries to identify common needs, gaps, and priorities for wildfire management.
Professor George Boustras, Director of CERIDES, opened the workshop. He then gave the floor to Mr. Stylianos Stylianides and Mr. Andreas Kitromilides. Together, they stressed the need for stronger coordination, active stakeholder engagement, and closer regional cooperation.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Department of Forests, Civil Defence, the Fire Service, NGOs, academia—including the Open University of Cyprus—and local authorities.
During the discussion, participants focused on practical needs across scientific, legal, and operational areas. In particular, they highlighted vegetation management as a key priority. This year, increased rainfall has led to higher fuel loads and, therefore, greater wildfire risk.
At the same time, participants stressed the need to involve citizens and local communities more actively. Currently, prevention efforts rely too heavily on central authorities. For this reason, they called for stronger public engagement and greater individual responsibility.
In addition, participants identified several coordination challenges between responsible authorities. They also pointed to difficulties in applying scientific knowledge in daily operations.
Moreover, legal and institutional frameworks do not always support fast and effective action. As a result, these gaps limit the overall efficiency of wildfire management.
To address these challenges, participants proposed several practical steps. First, they called for stronger community involvement in prevention activities. Second, they emphasized the need to improve coordination between agencies.
Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of using scientific data more effectively in planning and decision-making.
Meanwhile, the Cyprus workshop forms part of a broader SIMMER process across six Mediterranean countries. Project partners have already organised workshops in Lebanon (LRI), Palestine (PPU), and Jordan (WADI). In the coming period, workshops in Greece (NOA) and France (AIFM) will follow.
Across all countries, partners use common surveys and methodologies. As a result, this approach supports a structured process to elicit stakeholder needs and carry out a joint gap analysis.
Looking ahead, the project team will combine all inputs into a shared database. This will allow partners to compare results and identify common patterns across countries.
Ultimately, these findings will support the next phases of the SIMMER project, including the development of targeted solutions to strengthen wildfire resilience across the Mediterranean.
Last Update
04/05/2026
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