By ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy
In a resounding victory for Climate Action, the LIFE Metro Adapt project led by the Metropolitan City of Milan has emerged as the winner of the prestigious LIFE Awards 2023. This remarkable achievement was made possible by the combined efforts of several key stakeholders, including e-Geos, Ambiente Italia, Legambiente Lombardia, Gruppo CAP and ALDA.
The LIFE Metro Adapt project, entitled “Strategies and Measures for Adaptation to Climate Change”, triumphed in the “Climate Action” category and was recognised by a panel of eminent European experts. The jury, chaired by renowned Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo, recognised the project’s outstanding efforts to combat climate change and promote resilience in urban areas. The project also resonated with the public, securing a commendable third place with 1703 votes for the Citizens Prize.
Led by the Environmental and Territorial Protection Area of the Metropolitan City of Milan, in partnership with ALDA and other respected organisations, Metro Adapt has been instrumental in disseminating knowledge, techniques and strategies to combat climate change throughout the metropolitan area. One of the key objectives of the project was to promote the development of effective adaptation measures, with a particular focus on Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Inspired by nature, this innovative engineering aims to enhance urban resilience by mimicking and replicating its elements.
As a prominent advocate of local democracy and citizen participation, ALDA played a key role in ensuring the success of the Metro Adapt project. The association’s expertise in fostering collaboration and empowering local communities was invaluable in engaging citizens, encouraging their support and gaining public buy-in for the initiative. ALDA’s commitment to democratic decision-making and inclusive governance has undoubtedly contributed to the project’s remarkable achievements.
“Winning the prestigious LIFE Award 2023 as the best project for Climate Action and receiving the preferences of more than 1700 citizens shows us that expertise and research can go hand in hand with public participation and active citizenship, topics very close to ALDA’s mission and vision“ – commented Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General. “Seeing and experiencing active citizen participation and virtuous cooperation between local authorities and civil society rewards us for our daily commitment and shows us how important it is to carry out projects like the LIFE Metro Adapt” – she concluded.
This achievement is a testament to the importance of collaboration and the power of local democratic engagement in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. Going forward, we must build on the momentum generated by this remarkable initiative and continue to champion environmental issues and the transition to a more sustainable future.