MedCoP

The MedCoP was established within the NATMed project to bring together representatives from municipalities, water management authorities, research institutions, local actors and civil society from the five Mediterranean case study areas. Its main purpose was to support the co-design, implementation, and evaluation of FWC-NbS for water management, while facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences across different regions. The MedCoP functioned as a collaborative tool where participants engaged in dialogue, shared insights, and jointly contributed to shaping solutions tailored to local environmental and socio-economic conditions.

The MedCoP approach built on a structured stakeholder mapping process, which identified key actors, their roles, needs and perceptions. This process helped ensure balanced participation and provided insights into governance dynamics, including power relations and possible conflicting interests. The results of the stakeholder mapping informed the composition and functioning of the MedCoP, allowing stakeholders to be engaged at appropriate levels and ensuring a meaningful and inclusive participatory process.

Through the MedCoP, stakeholders participated in a series of iterative co-design workshops, which enabled them to contribute to the development and refinement of the FWC-NbS implemented in each case study. These workshops supported continuous feedback and adaptive learning, allowing solutions to evolve based on stakeholder knowledge and practical experience.

Three co-design workshops were organised in each case study area during the project:

• Workshop 1 – Building the foundation: introduction of the project objectives and identification of local societal and environmental challenges.
• Workshop 2 – Co-design of interventions: refinement of NbS concepts based on local needs, opportunities, traditional water practices and potential trade-offs.
• Workshop 3 – Evaluation of interventions: assessment of the implemented solutions and discussion of possible improvements and future applications.

The MedCoP process strengthens local ownership, transparency, and collaboration. Importantly, the MedCoP established in each case study area are expected to remain active beyond the lifetime of the project, continuing to serve as a platform for dialogue and cooperation on water management challenges and the further uptake of Nature-based Solutions.