CIHEAM MontpellierOur vision is that of a Mediterranean basin characterised by a spirit of cooperation.
CIHEAM publicationsOur publications and communication tools aim to facilitate decision-making processes for political, economic and agricultural actors in the Mediterranean region
News and events
Press review (Scoop.it)
Master programmesThe CIHEAM Montpellier stands for both personalised accompaniment and international openness.
Campus & student lifeSince 1962, almost 95% of our foreign students have been granted accommodation on site.
Doctoral platformShaping the scientists of tomorrow through research training… A natural commitment of the CIHEAM Montpellier
ProjectsOur research and cooperation projects are tools for inclusive development, they take into account the populations and rural and coastal territories of the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean online catalogueA unique Documentation Center on the Mediterranean,
invested in sharing knowledge.
Scientific productionThe scientific production of the CIHEAM Montpellier is the fruit of collaborations by our lecturer-researchers, associated experts, students and research partners.
Becoming partnersCreating partnerships is part of the genetic make-up of the CIHEAM Montpellier... Join one of its projects or study programmes, support its actions.
Ministerial meetingsThrough the Ministerial, CIHEAM contributes to the construction of a dialogue between the Mediterranean countries around questions relating to agriculture and the rural world.
Press release
Chania, 3 October 2019
Mediterranean forests are fragile ecosystems, threatened by climate change and human activities. Landslides, storms, droughts, erosion, overgrazing, agriculture, fires and overexploitation are putting these areas at risk—yet, forests can significantly contribute to biodiversity protection and resilience to climate crises. Medforval, a network funded by the MAVA Foundation, tackles these urgent issues by bringing different actors together, exchanging knowledge and good practices.
Enhancing the collaboration among forest actors in the Mediterranean basin is the key for real change. This is the belief that will guide the work of the Network for the next 12 months under the coordination of Istituto Oikos, an NGO based in Milan, Italy. In the current 2019-2020 stage, labelled Relaunching Medforval, the collaboration and the exchange of good practices among the Network members will be ensured as a continuation of the work done in 2015-2018 under the previous coordination by AIFM (Association Internationale Forêts Méditerranéennes). The 18 forest sites will also work to foster the sustainability of the Network through fundraising and the active contribution of all the member sites to the life of the Network. The Samaria National Park (Crete) is one of these sites, and it is being managed by the CIHEAM Chania as well as by the Samaria National Park Management Body.
This second phase officially started in May 2019 and culminated in the meeting that took place in Milan, Italy, on 23-26 September when 16 out of 18 member sites met to exchange ideas and define strategies for the next steps—with the common goal of protecting, managing and restoring Mediterranean forests with high ecological value.
“With such a competent network—Serena Arduino, coordinator of Medforval, says— we are optimistic for the year to come. The Network restarts with energy. The first goal is to raise funds and understand how to communicate the role of Mediterranean forests and to manage and protect them more effectively.”
The Medforval Network currently includes 18 sites from 12 Mediterranean countries: Ermenek-Konya (Turkey), Guadiana (Portugal), Köprülü (Turkey), La Massane (France), Livanjsko Polje (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Luberon-Lure (France), Monte Arcosu (Italy), Poblet (Spain), Prespa (Greece), Prokletije (Montenegro), Samaria (Greece), Jordan EcoPark (Jordan), Shouf (Lebanon), Sierra de las Nieves (Spain), Sirente-Velino (Italy), Talassemtane (Morocco), Valle del Ticino (Italy), Zaghouan (Tunisia).
For more information please contact: medforval@istituto-oikos.org