From 8 to 12 June 2026, PAP/RAC experts played a leading role in the Climate Adaptation Summer School (CASS III), organized within the framework of the Youth4CLIMED project, of which PAP/RAC is a partner. Bringing together 16 Erasmus+ students from Croatia, Italy, Türkiye and Spain, the training aimed to strengthen young people's understanding of climate change challenges and equip them with practical skills for climate adaptation and sustainable coastal planning.
The programme opened with PAP/RAC lecture on climate change impacts in the Mediterranean, widely recognized as one of the world's climate change hotspots. Through interactive discussions, students explored how these impacts are already affecting their own countries and coastal communities.
On the second day, PAP/RAC introduced participants to the Mediterranean legal and policy framework for climate adaptation. Students then worked in groups to analyse key provisions of the Regional Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change (RFACC) and formulate recommendations to support its effective implementation on the ground.
PAP/RAC also took full responsibility for Unit 5 of the training programme, focusing on nature-based solutions, climate-related indicators and coastal planning tools. Drawing on concrete Mediterranean examples, lecturers demonstrated how integrated planning approaches can help build more resilient coastal areas.
To put theory into practice, students participated in a simulation exercise replicating a stakeholder consultation process for a fictional coastal zone. Assuming the roles of different stakeholders, they negotiated priorities and explored sustainable development options while balancing environmental, social and economic interests under limited financial resources. The exercise highlighted the importance of dialogue, participation and evidence-based decision-making in coastal planning.
The training concluded with the drafting of a Youth Declaration on Climate Action, reflecting participants' commitment to contributing to climate resilience and sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
As the main contributor to CASS III, PAP/RAC delivered a significant share of the programme's content and facilitated numerous interactive activities. Participants and fellow lecturers highly appreciated the quality of PAP/RAC's contributions and its engaging approach to capacity building.
The next milestone of the Youth4CLIMED project will be the CASS IV training session, scheduled to take place in Izmir, Türkiye, from 12 to 18 October 2026.
Looking ahead, PAP/RAC will host the project's final conference in Split, Croatia, in February 2027, bringing together partners, experts and young participants to share experiences and celebrate the project's achievements.
