Laura – Melpomeni Tapini, SymvadiZoume – strengthening collaboration between citizens & professionals to protect monuments from climate change threats

Climate change threatens cultural heritage, often leaving citizens and experts feeling powerless. The “Simvadizoume” project in Greece aimed to restore a sense of control and responsibility by fostering collaboration between local communities and heritage professionals. Its goal was to create shared knowledge and understanding, enabling effective cooperation to protect monuments and museums from climate threats.

To achieve this, the project activates mutual understanding among diverse stakeholders through tailored educational activities. This leads to hands-on voluntary actions, designed and implemented by local communities, to safeguard heritage from extreme weather. A key aspect of the project and process is clarifying roles, responsibilities, and limits of action between professionals, authorities, and citizens.

With a clear project message, we developed a non-formal educational toolkit for future initiatives. By moving beyond theoretical approaches and traditional awareness campaigns, the project embraced innovative, hands-on practices, establishing a strong foundation for collaboration. It reinforced the idea that together, we achieve more, and this is the methodology I would like to share in the Meet- See – Do 2025 conference.