We are proud to share exciting news!

The Mediterranean Model Forest Network has officially nominated our MEDfOR – Erasmus Mundus Master in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management – for the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2026 annonced by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

This nomination is an important recognition of MEDfOR’s global contribution to climate action, sustainable land governance and the resilience of climate-vulnerable ecosystems. Since 2012, our program has:

Trained 249 graduates from across the Mediterranean and 47 other countries
Delivered 84 interdisciplinary courses powered by 127 scholars from 7 partner universities and 27 invited experts
Contributed to high-impact dissertation research on climate adaptation, resilience, risk, disturbance, carbon, mitigation, governance and more
Supported students through competitive funding from programs including Erasmus Mundus and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, ensuring equitable access and gender-focused support
Seen our alumni advance to PhD studies and careers in sustainability and climate-related fields in 37 countries and international organizations such as FAO.

For over a decade, MEDfOR has been building a global community of professionals equipped to predict, mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts—especially in the Mediterranean, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

Being nominated for the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is not just an honor—it reinforces the urgent need for long-term, systemic climate solutions driven by education, science, and global collaboration.

Thank you to the Mediterranean Model Forest Network for this meaningful nomination.

We look forward to continuing our mission of empowering future leaders in sustainable natural resources management.

Instituto Superior de Agronomia, TERRA Associate Laboratory, CEF - Forest Research Centre, Università degli Studi di Padova Università degli Studi della Tuscia Universitat de Lleida Universidad de Valladolid