PRIMA 2 Validation Workshop: A Bold Step Towards Mediterranean Sustainability
On 26 June 2025, FUTURE4PRIMA hosted a vibrant and productive Validation Workshop in Brussels at the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the EU. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in shaping PRIMA 2, the renewed EU-Mediterranean partnership dedicated to driving sustainability through an innovative Resource Nexus approach.
The workshop convened key stakeholders, including members of PRIMA’s Board of Trustees, the FUTURE4PRIMA Advisory Board, representatives from national ministries, delegates from the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), European Commission officials, research funders, and influential figures from the broader research and innovation community. Participants collaboratively reviewed and validated the strategic framework of PRIMA 2, ensuring it is coherent, regionally relevant, and poised for impactful implementation.
Discussions centered around critical operational objectives, innovative mechanisms to accelerate the uptake of research into practical solutions, and strategies to strengthen the Mediterranean region’s resilience to climate, resource, and socio-economic challenges. There was broad agreement on the importance of aligning PRIMA 2 closely with major EU and Mediterranean policy frameworks, including the European Green Deal, the UfM Agenda, and the upcoming Mediterranean Pact.
Following the workshop’s successful outcomes, the next steps involve consolidating the strategic document and launching an inclusive online consultation accessible to all stakeholders. This co-creative approach aims to incorporate diverse insights, fostering collective ownership of the initiative. Central to PRIMA 2’s approach is co-creation, particularly through the Ecosystem Innovation Stakeholder Board (EIESB)—a specialized FUTURE4PRIMA board focused on enhancing innovation ecosystems across the Mediterranean. Recent valuable inputs from the EIESB workshop in Cairo, organized by WP leaders DLR, ASRT, and ECDTI, have significantly shaped the future direction of PRIMA 2.
PRIMA 2 will leverage innovative instruments such as Living Labs, Communities of Practice, and Policy Labs to facilitate meaningful stakeholder engagement and capacity building. The partnership emphasizes accelerating the adoption and scaling-up of research and innovation solutions, supported by an interactive platform that bridges research results with practical applications at market and policy levels, strengthening the science-policy interface.
The FUTURE4PRIMA consortium extends sincere gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions. Insights gathered during this workshop will greatly inform PRIMA 2’s strategic development and forthcoming submission.
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to join our journey toward a sustainable and resilient Mediterranean future.
