On 18 and 19 February 2025, Casa Mediterraneo in Alicante hosted the XXIV Annual Meeting of the Spanish Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation (ReFAL), bringing together representatives of civil society, experts, and institutional actors to shape the 2025-2026 Roadmap. Discussions centred on key priorities including mobility, social cohesion, and the role of culture in fostering regional unity.
Emin Yigit Koyuncuoglu attended the meeting representing AMWAJ to engage with inspiring professionals and organisations committed to strengthening intercultural dialogue and cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean region, explaining the activities of AMWAJ. Emin also presented AMWAJ’s activities, contributing to a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering partnerships and shaping the collective vision for the years ahead.
The meeting was opened by institutional representatives, including Andrés Perelló, Director General of Casa Mediterráneo; Senén Florensa, Executive President of IEMed; and Diego Martínez Belío, Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs
Senén Florensa emphasised the importance of intercultural dialogue in strengthening Euro-Mediterranean relations beyond the governmental sphere. He stressed the essential role of civil society and youth in promoting inclusiveness and diversity. Meanwhile, Diego Martínez Belío underlined Spain’s leadership in international forums and its unwavering commitment to the recognition of the State of Palestine amid ongoing regional challenges.
Another key moment was the address by Josep Ferré, Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation, who outlined the Foundation’s upcoming initiatives and stressed the importance of 2025 as a pivotal year for civil society engagement in political processes.
Civil Society at the Heart of Political Agendas
The opening session featured expert insights from Sergio Carranza, Bouthaina El Hadri, Paloma Jiménez, Esma Kucukalic, and others. Discussions focused on enhancing civil society’s influence in political decision-making and policy development.
Throughout the meeting, participants took part in working groups to refine the 2025-2026 Roadmap, addressing themes such as youth and women’s inclusion, social cohesion, and mobility. The discussions reinforced the commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive cooperation in the Mediterranean region.
Strengthening the Network and New Commitments
Key decisions were made to reinforce ReFAL’s governance structure, including the renewal of the Executive Committee and the approval of updates to the Internal Regulations. The network also welcomed two new members to the Executive Committee: Fundación Tres Culturas and Solidaridad Internacional País Valenciano, reaffirming its dedication to transparency and participatory leadership.
One of the event’s highlights was the Marketplace of Ideas and Projects, providing a collaborative space to present innovative initiatives and encourage cross-border partnerships.
#SomosElCambio
The second day of the meeting featured an inspiring keynote speech by Nuria Oliver, an expert in Artificial Intelligence, who explored the role of technology in enhancing social cohesion in the Mediterranean. This was followed by an interactive workshop, #SomosElCambio, facilitated by EuroMed Consulting Group, which focused on securing funding and implementing transformative initiatives under the theme ‘We Are the Change: Strong and Active Communities, Here and Now’.
The meeting concluded with the official presentation of the 2025-2026 Roadmap, outlining the strategic priorities of the network for the next two years.
