5 June | 14:00-16:30 EEST (13:00-15:00 CEST) | Online
Empowering Communities: Knowledge Exchange for Climate Action
Overview
Communities across the Balkan region are increasingly facing the devastating impacts of climate change – from floods and wildfires to waste management challenges. Tackling these urgent issues requires collaborative action and open dialogue between residents, experts, and policymakers. To that end, we are hosting this webinar symbolically on the World Environment Day to highlight the importance of united action for our planet.
Why attend
Join the conversation if you want to:
Explore
practical environmental solutions from communities across Europe
Understand
the role of local communities in shaping European climate resilience
Learn
about the specific climate challenges facing the Balkan region
Connect
with other stakeholders and changemakers from the region
Who should join?
The webinar is conducted in English and is open to representatives of the grassroots sector, experts, policy makers and those interested in the topics of civic engagement, urban design and environment from the Balkan region.
Agenda
13:00–13:20
Welcome & Interactive Start
13:20–14:20
Expert Panel: Local Climate Action in Motion
Karim Abu-Omar
“Co-producing local opportunities to be physically active – good for people and planet”
Helena Gallis
“Cultural Innovation as a Catalyst for Community-Led Climate Action”
Cynthia Debono
“Designing Healthier, Climate-Resilient Cities: The Role of Physical Activity and Placemaking”
Reka Veress
“City, Green, Go! Toolkit – Turning Climate Goals into Grassroots Sports Action”
14:20–14:40
Q&A & Participant Exchange
14:40–15:00
Placemaking for Climate Mitigation Highlights & Closing
Speakers
Helena Gallis
A placemaker, environmentalist, and cultural innovator passionate about transforming environments like parks, museums, streets, and gardens into inclusive spaces.
As the Director of Green Place Development and Social Sustainability at MiA – Museene i Akershus, she leads the integration of placemaking into the institution’s strategy, focusing on activating museums as community hubs and agents for sustainable futures.
Karim Abu-Omar
Senior Researcher, Sports Science and Sport, a lecturer at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Germany, specializing in sports science and sport. As Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity and Public Health at FAU, his central research explores the connections between promoting physical activity and planetary health. His broader research interests encompass the development and implementation of health promotion policies and the scaling of public health interventions. Karim also focuses on health promotion for vulnerable populations and the surveillance of physical activity levels. His work contributes to understanding how to foster both human and environmental well-being through public health initiatives
Reka Veress
A dedicated EU sport policy expert and the national EU-WHO HEPA Focal Point for Hungary, actively participating in various health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) initiatives. With strong connections in Hungary’s physical activity sector and involvement in EU sport projects, she works to promote a more active and healthy population. Recognizing the importance of environmental sustainability, Réka also coordinates the City, Green, Go! project, which seeks eco-friendly solutions for urban grassroots sport events, a role that complements her coordination of the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign in Hungary.
Cynthia Debono
A dedicated public health scientist focused on the crucial link between physical activity, urban environments, and public health. As a passionate advocate for change, she founded and directs MOVE, an NGO leveraging physical activity and placemaking for community well-being. Driven by a commitment to health and the environment, Cynthia champions the power of movement to tackle social challenges like obesity and mental health. Her expertise in placemaking, as the Malta Representative for Placemaking Europe, informs her work in designing active lifestyles into daily life, fostering healthier cities and environments.