On 26 March 2026, from 9.00 am to 11.00 am, a public awareness-raising event will be held at the Coconut Residence & Spa Hotel (Kololi, Gambia) as part of the RENATURMAC project – “Enhancement and conservation of protected natural areas through improved green and blue infrastructure linking urban and rural areas”, co-financed by the INTERREG MAC Programme 2021–2027 (FEDER).
The event is being organised as part of an institutional and technical mission to the Republic of The Gambia (23–27 March 2026), led by the Institute of Technology and Renewable Energy (ITER), the project’s lead beneficiary, and the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB), the project’s partner in the country, with the support of the EU–Gambia Partnership Office.
During the meeting, the objectives and main activities of the RENATURMAC project will be presented, as well as the planned actions in The Gambia relating to the conservation of protected natural areas and the green and blue transition. Furthermore, the event will highlight opportunities for regional cooperation between the territories of the MAC area (Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands and West African countries).
The event will be attended by representatives from institutions, international organisations, academic bodies, civil society organisations and the media, providing a forum for dialogue and cooperation on environmental sustainability and territorial development.
Provisional programme:
09:00 – 09:15 – Registration of participants and institutional opening
09:15 – 09:25 – Institutional address (EU–Gambia Partnership Office)
09:25 – 09:35 – Presentation of the RENATURMAC Project (Institute of Technology and Renewable Energy – ITER)
09:35 – 09:50 – The uniqueness of Gambia’s natural resources and their importance for tourism (Gambia Tourism Board – GTB)
09:50 – 10:15 – Protected areas in Gambia: characteristics, conservation status, visitors and future plans (Gambian Forestry Department – Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and
Natural Resources)
10:15 – 10:30 – Open discussion and exchange of views
10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee break – networking
Registration:
Although prior registration is not mandatory, we would appreciate confirmation of attendance via email at renaturmac@iter.es, to facilitate optimal planning and organisation of the event.
Further information:
The RENATURMAC project aims to promote the conservation and enhancement of protected natural areas through transnational cooperation initiatives designed to strengthen the green and blue transition, as well as to improve integration between natural areas and the urban and rural environments linked to them.
During the mission, a comprehensive programme of work will be carried out, including institutional meetings with authorities and key stakeholders, technical visits to protected natural areas, coordination sessions between project partners, and public awareness-raising activities.
