DesirMED is a project funded by HORIZON Europe Research and Innovation actions in support of the implementation of the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2022- CLIMA-01). DesirMED aims at increasing ambition, ownership and capability of regional Mediterranean leaders and communities through proven transformative climate change adaptation approaches prioritizing nature based solutions. To this aim DesirMED involves a multi-level set of actors in 5 Demonstrating regions and 3 Replicating Regions working hand-in-hand with scientific partners to foster holistic approaches to implement transformative adaptation. By engaging at the regional level key institutions in a multi-level governance framework, it will act as a catalyzer to trigger and accelerate the necessary actions to increase regional climate resilience over the long run.

General Objectives

DesirMED’s main objective is to strengthen knowledge and capabilities of Med regions and communities to take leadership and ownership in their transformative Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) pathways and accelerate the implementation of transformative solutions required to increase their resilience over the long-term. Under regional Transformative Adaptation Journeys (TAJs), DesirMED will accelerate the adoption of multi-level and multi-actor-based portfolio of innovative solutions, prioritising NbS, by fostering the enabling conditions that support visioning, analysing, designing, testing, demonstrating, scaling, and mainstreaming (Figure 1.1a), in accordance with EU frameworks for CCA and environmental management.

Expected Results

DesirMED has set 8 specific objectives linked to expected results (ER):

1. Co-create regional ambition and shared visions among key stakeholders (SHs), ensuring support and a sense of ownership across regional adaptation journeys
   ER-1: SH map for involved DR& RRs;
   ER-2: Report on co-designed regional visions and pathways.
2. Develop, test and demonstrate multiple place-based solutions for accelerating adaptation capacity to CC risks
   ER-3: Report on the multi-dimensional portfolio of innovative solutions
3. Identify opportunities to scale up the demonstrated portfolio of solutions and foster their mainstreaming across the Med and beyond
   ER-4: Scalability Framework;
   ER-5: Datasets from SH engagement supporting Scalability Pathways and Plans co-design;
   ER-6: Report of scaling experiences in DR& RRs
4. Accelerate knowledge and data exchange on Med landscapes and KCSs to support testing and demonstration of place-based solutions
   ER-7: Data from stocktaking and monitoring supporting the evaluation of effectiveness indicators in landscapes and KCSs;
   ER-8: Innovative monitoring framework for effectiveness evaluation;
   ER-9: Maps of regional climate risk profiles of KCSs;
   ER-10: Report on tools and guidance to develop balanced portfolio
5. Triggering action for just transition by co-creating and deploying innovative forms of engagement and governance.
   ER-11: Operationalization and catalogue of new mechanisms of improved governance, engagement, social innovation and behaviour and regulatory frameworks, and creation of the conditions needed for regional transformation;
   ER-12: Report on barriers and opportunities for behavioural change.
6. Unlock and mobilise finance and resources to enhance momentum for climate resilient investments and regional financial risk strategies reducing climate-related loss and damage
   ER-13: Comprehensive outline of the mechanisms for 3 financial instruments;
   ER-14: Portfolio of business models
7. Accelerate transformation by building capacity for regional actors through sensemaking from demonstrated solutions, cross-fertilisation and peer-to-peer learning among DR&RRs.
   ER-15: A series of training modules to apply a systems innovation mind-set to regional innovative solution portfolios;
   ER-16: A regional learning and knowledge-sharing methodology
8. Build a community of practice (CoP) and network to support and facilitate innovative solution uptake from region to region and from regions to European research agendas
   ER-17: Enhanced CoP towards CC resilience and adaptation;
   ER-18: Network of at least 100 Climate Ambassadors