The GEF funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme) is more than a collection of projects; it’s a powerful force for change, bringing together countries, partners, and sectors to drive environmental progress.

At the Third Annual Stocktaking Meeting (ASM) in Istanbul, Türkiye, participants gathered to reflect on achievements, share knowledge, and explore new ways to amplify impact under the theme “The MedProgramme: Greater than the Sum of its Parts”.

With the intention to create a ripple effect to accelerated results for environmental security in the Mediterranean Basin, innovative, art-inspired and out-of-the-box tools and techniques were employed to unlock break throughs for enhanced collaboration across projects, countries, and sectors. 

One standout session brought together subject matter experts, countries, partners and sectors for guided discussions on emerging topics such as climate change adaptation, source-to-sea management, and the circular economy. Meanwhile, art students captured these conversations in sketches, which were later transformed into an AI-generated movie highlighting common challenges and proposed solutions. This creative approach showcased the power of collective effort, proving that together, we can achieve more and be greater than the sum of our parts.

Join us in watching the movie and witness the inspiring journey of collaboration and innovation!

About the project

The Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): “Enhancing Environmental Security” is a six year (2020–2026) Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded multi-focal area and cross-sectoral initiative implemented in Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye. UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) is the leading executing Agency; the GEF Implementing Agencies are UNEP and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the executing partners are UNESCO/IHP, European Investment Bank (EIB), IUCN Med, GWP Med, WWF Med, University of Geneva-GRID Geneva, Plan Bleu, PAP/RAC, SCP/RAC, SPA/RAC and INFO/RAC. The Programme is also supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The MedProgramme operationalizes priority actions to reduce major transboundary environmental stresses in coastal areas while strengthening climate resilience and water security and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations. Furthermore, it aims to promote sound environmental management that benefits women and men equally, through effective gender mainstreaming.

The MedProgramme is expected to achieve large-scale impacts in four GEF focal areas: International Waters (IW), Chemicals and Waste (CW), Biodiversity (BD), and Climate Change Adaptation (SCCF), with contributions from numerous partners including UN agencies, development banks, MAP Regional Activity Centers, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Regional Centers, national institutions, technical agencies and research institutes, NGOs, and others, under the leadership of UNEP/MAP.

Words by Nina Baijens.