As part of the YOUthCARE4planet – Youth Green Initiative for Change project, Giosef Italy is organizing the third and final focus group in a series of territorial dialogues aimed at strengthening the participation of young people and local communities in addressing environmental challenges across the Mediterranean. Taking place online on 17 June 2026, from 15:30 to 17:30 (CEST), the event will bring together researchers, civil society representatives, engaged youth, and local stakeholders to discuss a pressing question for the region’s future: how can communities strengthen their resilience to drought and the degradation of natural resources?
The focus group will connect the communities of Palermo and Casapesenna, two Italian territories facing the growing impacts of climate change. Located in Sicily, Palermo is a Mediterranean city renowned for its rich cultural, social, and natural heritage. However, it is increasingly affected by water scarcity, prolonged drought periods, and rising environmental pressures that threaten ecosystems and the well-being of local communities. In parallel, Casapesenna, located in the Campania region, is also experiencing the effects of climate change, particularly in terms of environmental degradation, pressure on natural resources, and challenges related to sustainable water and land management. These shared yet context-specific realities make both territories highly relevant settings for discussing adaptation and resilience strategies.
Organized on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, this final focus group will explore the impacts of climate change on Mediterranean territories and examine local solutions that can help communities adapt to environmental challenges.
The event will open with a presentation by Sofia Maria Muscarella, researcher at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences of the University of Palermo, who will provide a scientific perspective on desertification processes, land degradation, and sustainable water resource management. Her contribution will help establish a shared understanding of the challenges facing Mediterranean communities and provide a foundation for the discussions that follow.
Participants from both territories will then exchange experiences and practices, highlighting local initiatives and challenges. The discussion will emphasize the importance of linking scientific knowledge with community action, and of strengthening the role of local actors in building more resilient territories.
Through this dialogue, the focus group aims to promote mutual learning, the exchange of good practices, and the identification of concrete solutions to shared environmental challenges. The discussion will provide an opportunity to connect scientific knowledge with local experiences while highlighting the crucial role of communities in building more resilient territories.
This event marks the conclusion of a cycle of three focus groups organized within the framework of YOUthCARE4planet. The insights and recommendations emerging from the discussions will contribute to the project’s broader reflection on the role of young people, local communities, and civil society organizations in advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the Mediterranean.
By bringing together scientific expertise, local experiences, and citizen participation, this final gathering seeks to transform knowledge into action and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders working towards more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Mediterranean territories.
Participants from Palermo and Casapesena are especially encouraged to join and contribute to the discussion by registering here.
Stay tuned to discover the key findings, recommendations, and lessons learned from this final focus group, as well as the ideas and solutions shared by participating communities.
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