Shaping tomorrow, together with the European Climate Pact – Water resilience in mountain areas under the impacts of climate change

The event “Shaping Tomorrow, together with the European Climate Pact” will take place in Miercurea Ciuc on 17 November, under the joint umbrella of the European Climate Pact and the Committee of the Regions.

Its format combines plenary sessions, a roundtable with key stakeholders, a participatory World Café exercise, and a study visit, bringing together local and European actors.

The program is designed to ensure dialogue between decision-makers, experts, and citizens, while also encouraging active participation in co-creating a roadmap for water resilience in the Carpathian mountain region.

The topics address the multifaceted challenges of water resilience under climate change: hydrology and shifting precipitation patterns, integrated water management and nature-based solutions, the role of mountain ecosystems and forests, infrastructure and community vulnerabilities, adaptation to extreme events, and the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of water.

The objectives are to foster knowledge exchange, highlight good practices and policy options, and engage local communities in shaping adaptive strategies that strengthen resilience.

By connecting local realities in the Carpathians with European priorities, the event aims to build shared understanding and cooperation across scales and borders.

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Agenda:

09:00 – 09:15 – Registration of participants and welcome

09.15 – 09.30 – Grand opening – Ms. Kata Tütto, President of the European Committee of the Regions (tbc)

09:30 – 09:45 – Welcome address by: Harghita County Council, European Commission Representation in Romania (tbc), Mr. Tancsos Barna (tbc)

Opening session: Science for everyone – water and the environment in mountain areas

09:45 – 10:10 – Anthropogenic and natural effects on the hydro-climatic balance of intramountain depressions; CS I. Dr. Ing. habil. Szép Robert, director, Research and Development Institute for Hunting and Mountain Resources

10:10 – 10:30 – Wetlands and the reintroduction of beavers in the Ciuc Depression; Demeter László, advisor, National Agency for Environment and Protected Areas, Harghita County Directorate

10:30 – 10:50 – Q&A + Coffee break

Round table: Water resilience in mountain areas

10:50 – 12:30 – What are the challenges and opportunities for action to develop water resilience in mountain areas?

Speakers: Mr. Csaba Borboly, Harghita County Council; Bogdan Gioară, REPER21; László Potozky, Partnership Foundation; Ambassadors of the Climate Pact in Romania – Ioana Petrescu (former Minister of Finance, President of Pur și Simplu Verde), Szilvia Bencze (former DG Agri, currently community activist in Odorheiu Secuiesc), Matei Lostun (high school student, President of the Extraordinary Youth Association); Adrian Teban, Mayor of Cugir and Ambassador of the European Committee of the Regions; Representative of the Research and Development Institute for Hunting and Mountain Resources; Barbieru Nicolae, National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management; Representatives of landowners’ associations and town halls (tbd)

Moderator: Ana-Maria Pălăduș, REPER21

12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch

Participatory workshop

13:30 – 14:30 – World Cafe (participatory exercise co-moderated by the Climate Pact community in Romania): How do we develop community resilience in Romanian mountain areas?

14:30 – 15:00 – Presentation and discussion of the World Cafe conclusions to outline a Roadmap for water resilience in the region

Practical information