Foresight for inclusive just transition and green-blue growth

Back to agenda

Agenda

Welcome & Icebreaker (5 minutes)

Opening by Kristina Velimirović (ECAS)

• Brief overview of goals and session flow
• Interactive Slido : What does green and blue growth mean to you?
• Brief introduction of panellists

Discussion (40 minutes)

Facilitated by Furkan Sorkuncuk (Volonteurope)

How can we ensure that the green and blue transitions align with local needs and aspirations, and what role can civil society and other progressive stakeholders - policy- and law-makers, academics and activists - play in fostering participatory, foresight-driven engagement to empower communities and ensure no one is left behind?

Speakers:

• Kinga Joó; EESC member, rapporteur on EU Blue Deal
• Dirk Bergrath, EESC member,  NAT section
• César Luena, Member of the European Parliament, ENVI Committee, Rapporteur on the Restoration Law
• Sabina Hodžić, BOLSTER Project, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Croatia
• Ecaterina Mihalcean, Organiser of the ECI for Water-Smart and Resilient Europe
• Thomas Müller,  Co-founder and Chairperson of the association of the Austrian Climate Council
• Elodie Denizart, AQUA Water Heritage, France
• Kristýna Bulvasová; YEYS

World Café Discussions (30 minutes)

• Group 1 - Emerging tensions and opportunities for bridging the gap between local level priorities and EU policies aimed at fostering a blue-green transition and the role of civil society organizations in the search for just and inclusive change.
  Facilitated by
  Nevelina Pachova, BOLSTER Project, RMIT Europe, Spain; Asel Doranova, BOLSTER Project, Tilburg Sustainability Centre, Tilburg University, 
• Group 2 - What does a truly inclusive green-blue transition look like, and how can civil society ensure no one is left behind?
  Facilitated by
  Constantin Dedu, Organiser of the ECI for Water-Smart and Resilient Europe
  Anne Kraus, Organiser of the ECI for Water-Smart and Resilient Europe
  Sabrina Cajoly, Organiser of the ECI for Water-Smart and Resilient Europe
• Group 3 - How can participatory approaches drive cohesion and inspire collective action for Europe’s green and blue future?
  Facilitated by
  Thomas Müller, Co-founder and Chairperson of the association of the Austrian Climate Council

Closing (5 minutes)

• Facilitators share key takeaways/recommendations from their group (3min per group).
• Closing remarks by Kristina Velimirović (ECAS) and Furkan Sorkuncuk (Volonteurope).

Closing Session feedback by Kristina Velimirović (ECAS)

Concept

Drawing on insights from EU Horizon projects BOLSTER and FLOW, and the European Citizens’ Initiative for a Water-Smart and Resilient Europe, this interactive session blends dynamic discussions with World Café format. Here, everyone is a contributor! Rather than traditional presentations, contributors will spark dialogue and inspire collaboration, ensuring an engaging and participatory experience for all attendees. 

This session will explore how foresight and community-driven approaches can bridge the gap between EU policies and local priorities, empowering communities to lead Europe’s green and blue transitions.

Topics for discussion:

1. What strategies can bridge the gap between EU policies and local priorities to ensure a fair, inclusive transition toward sustainable green and blue growth?
2. What does a truly inclusive green-blue transition look like, and how can civil society ensure no one is left behind?
3. How can participatory approaches drive cohesion and inspire collective action for Europe’s green and blue future?