Following the successful Summer Universities organized jointly by MIO-ECSDE and the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe for a number of years, and since the designation of the Asterousia Biosphere Reserve, also the Local Management Committee of Asterousia, the Region of Crete and the Heraklion Development Agency,  this year the event will take place once again in Asterousia and focuses on “Climate Resilient Communities in Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves“. 

The Asterousia Hybrid University is split n two phases, with:

• Phase A taking place face-to-face  in Asterousia BR, between 4th October 2026 (arrivals) and 8th October 2026 (departures), for 25-30 participants.
• Phase B (tbc) taking place online, in January 2027.

It is mandatory for that are selected to participate in Phase A, to follow also Phase B.

2026 Focus

The main theme this year is Climate Resilient Communities in Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves. Specific sub-topics to be covered through the dedicated lectures, workshops and field-visits are:

• Bridging the UN/EU Climate Change ‘Policy to Practice gap’
• Climate adaptation and mitigation practices in Mediterranean BRs. Examples of CC action:
  • Freshwater management combining traditional harvesting with modern non-conventional water resources (NCWRs)
  • Non-irrigated rain-fed crops e.g. as olives& carobs, as a basis for local agricultural production
  • Nature-Based Solutions, e.g. reforestation & stone-walls restoration
  • Climate-resilient tourism & local sustainable development,
  • Community-based adaptation planning,
• Circular economy in agriculture: the case of olive residues
• The role of local products within the BR: A win-win for producers and visitors.
• Community led climate action: traditional knowledge holders, youth, citizen science and ESD.

Organisers

The main organisers & sponsors of the 2025 Asterousia University are:

• Asterousia Bioshere Reserve (ΤEΔA)
• Association for the Protection of Asterousia
• Region of Crete (Link)
• Heraklion Development Agency (Link)
• UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Link)
• Local Management Committee of Asterousia
• UNESCO Chair and Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education at the University of Athens (UoA)
• The Greek National Committee of the MAB/UNESCO Programme
• Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) (Link) through the MEdIES initiative (Link)

Other contributors: The Asterousia University will bring together a series of actors within and around the Asterousia BR:

• Archaeological Museum of Messara
• Local Associations of professionals & women
• HCMR Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
• Natural History Museum of Crete

Under the Auspices of : 

• Mediterranean Committee on ESD (MCESD)

Draft daily agenda

This years’ University focuses on how communities in Biosphere Reserves apply adaptation and mitigation measures to develop resilience toward Climate Change. The relevant lifelong ESD extending beyond classrooms and addressing also productive sectors and the needed frameworks and methods for effectively engaging the local community will be also included in the event.

The outline of the 3-day event is presented below: Day 1 will focus on management approaches of SD and Climate Change, i.e. the WEFE approach and circular economy, Day 2 on Best practices Natural and Cultural Heritage, and Day 3 on Education and awareness. Each day will combine key lectures and presentations, workshops and field visits.