Two new projects to strengthen the resilience of Mediterranean forests: RENFORCE and SIMMER
Context: Mediterranean forests under pressure
The Mediterranean basin is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. Its forests, rich and diverse, play a crucial role in climate regulation, soil conservation, water supply, and supporting rural livelihoods.
Yet, they are increasingly under pressure: rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and more frequent extreme weather events.
These challenges call for a transition toward proactive and integrated forest management, focused on risk prevention, cooperation among stakeholders, and the dissemination of innovative solutions.
RENFORCE : anticipating risks, building resilience
The RENFORCE project (Resilience ENhancing to adapt FORests to Climate change Effects), funded by Interreg Euro-MED, aims to strengthen the resilience of Mediterranean forests to large-scale wildfires and storms.
Its action is built on three pillars:
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Developing a common prevention strategy for natural hazards.
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Testing innovative pilot actions: mechanised forest management, predictive modelling, and short supply chains for local use of wood and materials.
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Ensuring capitalisation and transfer to local authorities for concrete implementation.
AIFM plays a central role, coordinating the definition of pilot actions and monitoring the project’s carbon footprint.
SIMMER : science, law, and operations for wildfire prevention
The SIMMER project (Strategic Integration of operational and legal frameworks for enhanced resilience and Management of Mediterranean wildfires), supported by Interreg NEXT MED, aims to bridge the gap between scientific research, public policies, and operational practices.
It focuses on:
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Creating an integrated science–policy–operational framework for sustainable fire management.
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Developing digital and legal tools tailored to the needs of emergency services and local authorities.
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Implementing pilot actions in five countries (prescribed burning, post-fire restoration, controlled grazing).
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Setting up a Knowledge Hub, a collaborative platform for sharing knowledge and training stakeholders.
AIFM contributes to evaluating the technologies tested and is responsible for setting up this resource centre.
Why are these projects essential today?
These projects directly address today’s environmental emergencies:
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Increasing the resilience of ecosystems in the face of climate change.
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Reducing the socio-economic impacts of natural disasters (wildfires, storms) affecting local populations.
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Promoting nature-based solutions and strengthening the connection between science, governance, and field practices.
They are also part of a European and international context where risk prevention and climate adaptation are strategic priorities.
The added value of international cooperation programmes
The Interreg Euro-MED and Interreg NEXT MED programmes foster networking among Mediterranean stakeholders and make it possible to:
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Share knowledge and best practices across borders.
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Test transferable solutions in different contexts.
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Strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of partners.
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Raise the visibility of Mediterranean challenges among European policymakers.
Thanks to such cooperation, Mediterranean forests benefit from innovative tools, shared strategies, and new dynamics of collaboration that are essential to meet 21st-century challenges.
Conclusion
With RENFORCE and SIMMER, AIFM continues its mission to defend and enhance Mediterranean forests. These projects illustrate the importance of international cooperation in turning challenges into opportunities and building forests that are more resilient, better managed, and better protected.
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