The mayor, Pedro José Noguera, conveyed the City Council's enthusiasm for a project that represents an opportunity to strengthen the municipality's security, urban planning, and resilience to extraordinary rainfall.

Las Torres de Cotillas hosted the meeting of the European project partnership LIFE FloodProof, an initiative aimed at improving flood risk management in urban areas of the Segura River basin through cooperation between administrations, technical entities and local agents.

The meeting allowed for a review of the progress of the project's various work packages, which focused on improving knowledge about flood risk, redefining flood and risk maps, identifying opportunities to increase urban green infrastructure, analyzing European best practices, developing early warning systems, and promoting governance, citizen participation, and communication actions.

During the day, the mayor of Las Torres de Cotillas, Pedro José NogueraHe approached the meeting to greet the partnership and personally convey the City Council's enthusiasm for participating in LIFE FloodProof. The mayor emphasized that the project represents a very important opportunity for the municipality, both for its contribution to improving the urban response to extraordinary rainfall events and for its capacity to strengthen the safety and protection of residents.

In this regard, the City Council presented the actions being carried out in the municipality to improve its performance in the face of heavy rains, in a context in which urban adaptation, prevention and planning are key to reducing the impacts associated with flooding.

LIFE FloodProof proposes a comprehensive, knowledge-based approach to building more prepared and resilient municipalities. It combines technical information, urban planning, green infrastructure solutions, community engagement, training, citizen monitoring, and real-time early warning tools.

The meeting also included monitoring the coordination work of the project, the collection of geomorphological information and historical flood data, the improvement of urban planning and management, the creation of local governance groups, the emergency and civil protection training plan, as well as the upcoming communication actions led by the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia.

LIFE FloodProof emphasizes the importance of collaboration between municipalities, universities, specialized entities and public administrations to advance in a more effective, participatory and adapted flood risk management to the real needs of the territory.

The Murcia delegation presents a good practice on detecting training needs in local administration

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia participates on June 10 and 11 in Ķekava and Riga, Latvia, in the fifth interregional meeting of the European project AdCap4GoodGov – “Administrative capacity, an essential lever for good governance”, financed by the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 program.

The project aims to strengthen the administrative capacity of public administrations as a key driver for improving governance, public service delivery, and local development. Within this framework, the meeting, organized under the title "Human Resources Management and Training," brings together representatives from local and regional administrations and specialized entities from various European countries to exchange experiences on public sector training, talent management, digitalization, skills assessment, and internal process improvement.

During the conference, the Region of Murcia will present a best practice focused on the system for identifying training needs in local government. This experience demonstrates how to identify, organize, and adapt public employee training to the real needs of local entities, contributing to a more efficient, prepared administration that is better aligned with the current challenges facing municipalities.

The meeting also includes the presentation of European best practices related to human resource management and strengthening administrative capacity. These include models for incorporating new municipal staff, innovative training pathways for public managers, collaborative work experiences, professional competency frameworks, urban development in rural areas, and initiatives aimed at aligning vocational and dual training with the needs of the labor market.

The Spanish delegation comprises representatives from the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, and EuroVértice. Those attending the meeting include Manuel Pato Melgarejo, Director of European Projects, Environment, and Training at the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia; José Fernández Cano, Head of the Training and IT Departments at the Federation; Gloria Llor Sánchez, Head of the Selection Service at the School of Training and Innovation for Public Administration; Javier Martínez Gilabert, Director General of Digital Transformation for the Region of Murcia; Diego Pedro García, Deputy Director General of Digital Infrastructure; María José Simón Martínez, technician at the School of Training and Innovation for Public Administration; and Raquel Galarza Ruiz, senior consultant and co-founder of EuroVértice.

In addition to presentations of best practices, the program includes a presentation on global and European trends in human resources and learning, a practical workshop on systemic thinking applied to the challenges of public administrations, a project follow-up session, and joint working spaces to analyze the progress achieved and prepare the next steps in the interregional cooperation process.

The project involves the Romanian Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration as the lead partner; the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia; the City of Sint-Niklaas, Belgium; the City of Viechtach, Germany; the Local Government of the Municipality of Ķekava, Latvia; the Development Agency of Langhe Monferrato and Roero, Italy; and the Association of Municipalities of Romania as an advisory partner.

AdCap4GoodGov has a budget of 1,68 million euros, of which 1,35 million come from European funds, and runs from April 2024 to June 2028. Through this initiative, the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia seeks to capitalize on European methodologies, experiences and best practices that contribute to improving local administrative capacity and strengthening the role of municipalities in regional public policies.

The Digital Agenda of the Region of Murcia is the public policy instrument on which this project is based. In this regard, the shared best practices contribute to expanding knowledge about the use of digital tools in public administration and to moving towards more prepared, innovative, and citizen-focused local governments.

The technical visit to Blagoevgrad reinforces Mediterranean cooperation to improve the prevention, mitigation and management of risks associated with heat waves

The European project team HEATSAFE – Holistic Environmental and Social Adaptation Framework for Extreme Heat has participated in a technical visit to Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, within the framework of the work being carried out by this initiative to improve the adaptation of Mediterranean cities to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat episodes.

During the visit, the project partners made progress in the exchange of knowledge and in defining common methodologies to strengthen the capacity of municipalities to cope with the impacts of climate change, with special attention to the protection of the most vulnerable population, adaptive urban planning and the local response to heat waves.

HEATSAFE, co-financed by the program Interreg Euro-MED, is coordinated by the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia and brings together entities from different countries in the Mediterranean area with the aim of designing transferable solutions, based on territorial cooperation, scientific evidence and local participation, such as Cartagena, Barcelona, ​​Arezzo, Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Blagoevgrad and Durrës, with partners from Spain (FMRM and Eurovértice), Italy, Greece, Bulgaria and Albania.

The meeting in Bulgaria allowed for a deeper exploration of one of the project's central themes: the development of local action plans to address extreme heatThese tools have been adapted to the social, urban, and climatic characteristics of each territory. Furthermore, work has been done on tools to identify areas and groups most exposed to thermal risk, in order to facilitate decision-making by local authorities.

Among the project's most notable actions are the development of heat vulnerability maps, the implementation of demonstrative pilot projects, the creation of open tools for the assessment of thermal risk and the design of a long-term strategy that contributes to improving the climate resilience of Mediterranean cities.

The visit to Blagoevgrad also served to share experiences on urban adaptation solutions, such as the identification and improvement of climate shelters, the incorporation of rapid response measures to episodes of high temperatures and the promotion of awareness campaigns aimed at the public.

The HEATSAFE project stems from an increasingly evident reality: heat waves are one of the main climate risks for Mediterranean cities, particularly affecting the elderly, children, people with pre-existing conditions, and socially vulnerable groups. To address this challenge, the initiative proposes a comprehensive approach that combines planning, innovation, local governance, and community participation.

With this visit, the HEATSAFE consortium continues to advance in building a common model for adapting to extreme heat that can be replicated in other territories of the Mediterranean, contributing to safer, healthier and more resilient cities in the face of climate change.

About HEATSAFE

HEATSAFE is a European project co-financed by the Interreg Euro-MED program that aims to improve the prevention, mitigation, and management of risks arising from climate change and the increased frequency and intensity of heat waves in the Mediterranean. To this end, the project focuses on the co-design of local action plans, the implementation of pilot demonstration projects, and the development of open-source tools to assess heat vulnerability and inform public decision-making.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia participated as a jury member in the second edition of the Good Governance, Administrative Modernization and Citizen Services Awards, which were presented yesterday in Murcia.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM) has highlighted the importance of continuing to promote transparency, institutional integrity and good governance as essential pillars to strengthen citizens' trust in public administrations, local entities and organizations that provide services of general interest.

The FMRM participated as a member of the jury in the second edition of the Awards for Good Governance, Administrative Modernization and Citizen Services, convened by the Ministry of Economy, Finance, Spokesperson, European Funds and Digital Transformation, through the General Directorate of Quality, Administrative Simplification and Inspection of Services.

The Federation maintains an active line of work in governance, transparency, participation and institutional improvement thanks, among other areas, to its involvement with the project ADCAP4GoodGov already his work in the field of ELoGE, as the accrediting body of European Seal of Excellence in GovernanceThis work allows the FMRM to support local governments in implementing more open, ethical, efficient, and citizen-oriented management models.

In this edition, which received more than thirty entries, the following were awarded first prizes: University of Murcia, Murcian Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA) and the Archena City CouncilThe latter won first prize in the Good Governance category for the project 'Archena, energy paradise', a local energy community based on a democratic, inclusive and transparent governance model.

The FMRM particularly highlights the presence of municipalism in these awards, since Three municipalities in the Region of Murcia were recognized for their projects. In addition to the Archena City Council, the Lorca City Council received the third prize in the Citizen Services category for 'Techno-seniors. Digital Inclusion Program for Older People', Whereas the City Hall of Cartagena received an honorable mention for 'Cartagena, a transparent, collaborative and participatory city. A model of Good Governance'.

For the Federation, these awards demonstrate the commitment of local governments to a more open, accessible, participatory, and results-oriented administration. Municipalities are the level of government closest to citizens and play a key role in implementing public policies based on transparency, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

The FMRM congratulates all the awarded and recognized entities, and reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting the municipalities of the Region of Murcia in the development of good governance policies, administrative modernization, citizen participation and transparency, in line with its work in the field of democratic governance, the ADCAP4GoodGov project and the European Seal of Excellence in Governance ELoGE.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia hosted the study visit of the European project Interreg DSBP Governance, held in Murcia and Cartagena from May 26 to 28, with the participation of European partners committed to improving digital skills in public administration.

Over three days, the meeting has allowed participants to share experiences, review project progress, and learn about regional and local best practices in training public staff in digital skills to improve services to citizens.

The agenda included working sessions at the FMRM headquarters, contributions from the Autonomous Community on training and digital needs of the public sector, and technical visits to reference initiatives such as the digitization experience of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, the good practices of the Cartagena City Council, the CEUS and the NUBE Center of the Murcia City Council, and the Integra Digital Foundation.

The visit has reinforced the role of the Region of Murcia as an active territory in the digital transformation of local administrations, focusing on a more efficient, accessible administration prepared to respond to the challenges of citizens.

DSBP Governance It is a European Interreg project aimed at improving the digital skills of public employees to advance towards better governance and higher quality public services. The FMRM is participating as a partner in the project along with European entities from Belgium, Italy, Latvia, France, and Romania.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia is participating as a partner in this European initiative, which also includes the municipalities of Ceutí, Alguazas, Las Torres de Cotillas and Lorquí.

La Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia participates in the technical trip to Italy organized within the framework of the European project LIFE FloodProof, an initiative aimed at improving the prevention, planning and response of municipalities to the risk of flooding.

The FMRM travels alongside the team that makes up this project, which includes different technical, academic and institutional entities, as well as four municipalities in the Region of Murcia integrated into the Federation: Ceutí, Alguazas, Las Torres de Cotillas and Lorquí.

This trip will provide an opportunity to learn about experiences, solutions, and best practices developed in other European regions regarding flood risk management, urban adaptation, and climate resilience. The visit is part of the LIFE FloodProof project's strategy to foster knowledge exchange between administrations and specialized organizations, with the aim of transferring useful lessons to the participating municipalities.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia emphasizes the importance of municipalities having tools, resources and practical examples that allow them to anticipate the effects of extreme weather events, especially in areas vulnerable to episodes of torrential rain and floods.

“Municipalities play a fundamental role in preventing and protecting citizens from the risk of flooding. These types of European meetings allow us to strengthen cooperation between territories, share solutions, and move towards safer, better prepared, and more resilient municipalities,” FMRM representatives stated.

The LIFE FloodProof project is working on implementing innovative measures to reduce the impact of flooding in urban areas of the Segura River basin. Its lines of action include local flood risk planning, the application of Nature-Based Solutions, the promotion of the "sponge city" concept, raising public awareness, and improving emergency coordination and response systems.

The presence of the FMRM in this technical visit reinforces its role as an entity that supports, coordinates and represents the municipalities of the Region of Murcia, as well as its commitment to climate adaptation, natural risk prevention and European cooperation at the service of local entities.

About LIFE FloodProof

LIFE FloodProof is a European project aimed at reducing flood risk in municipalities within the Segura River basin through innovative, sustainable, and participatory solutions. In the Region of Murcia, it involves the participation of the following municipalities: Ceutí, Alguazas, Las Torres de Cotillas and Lorquí, along with entities such as Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, the Segura Hydrographic Confederation, the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, LANDLAB Landscape Laboratory y EuroVértice Consultores.

The Old Town Hall of Lorquí hosts today the third meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the LIFE FloodProof project, an initiative co-financed by the European Union that works to improve flood risk management in the municipalities of the middle section of the Segura River basin through inter-institutional cooperation and knowledge-based decision-making through local governance groups.

A European project serving the municipalities of Segura

LIFE FloodProof is a European Union LIFE project involving riverside municipalities in the Segura basin—including Ceutí, Las Torres de Cotillas, Alguazas and Lorquí—along with entities such as the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, and other technical and research-type entities such as the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT), the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS), and the LandLab and EuroVértice (EV) team, with the common goal of reducing vulnerability to flooding in urban environments.

Today's session marks a key milestone in the development of the project, with the sharing of progress made in the different work packages, and the planning of the next steps.

Day for knowledge, governance and pilot action

The meeting began with a review of the project's status, including monitoring indicators, and the upcoming mandatory work, led by the Ceutí City Council.

Subsequently, the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM) presented the progress in communication, with special attention to the communication plan, what key messages to disseminate among citizens for awareness and sensitization, and the local citizen awareness campaigns.

One of the most technical blocks was presented by the teams from UPCT, LandLab and EuroVértice, who discussed the collection of geomorphological and historical data on flooding, the redefinition of flood and risk maps, the identification of opportunities for urban green infrastructure, the analysis of European best practices in risk management and the monitoring of variables using SAICA systems and ecological quality sensors.

Following the sharing of the more technical aspects, EuroVértice and UPCT led the Governance and Participation session, presenting the progress in local governance groups, citizen monitoring groups, and the Early and Real-Time Hydrological Warning System, framed within the agreement with AEMET.

The Alguazas City Council presented its pilot project, followed by the presentation of proposals for improving urban planning, and feedback from the field visits carried out the previous day to the spaces proposed for pilot projects, by LandLab.

First cycle of governance meetings completed

Yesterday, April 27, 2026, also marked a significant milestone for the project: the conclusion of the first complete cycle of local governance meetings with all participating municipalities. Lorquí was the last to hold its meeting, thus closing a round that has visited all four municipalities involved in LIFE FloodProof and has laid the groundwork for citizen participation and joint decision-making regarding flood risk management.

These meetings, led by the Local Governance Groups, have made it possible to identify key actors, establish channels for participation and strengthen the institutional commitment of each municipality to the project's objectives.

Also yesterday, the LandLab team conducted technical field visits to the municipalities of Ceutí, Las Torres de Cotillas, Alguazas and Lorquí, with the aim of evaluating the spaces that are candidates to host the pilot actions of the project.

About LIFE FloodProof

LIFE FloodProof is a project co-financed by the European Union's LIFE Programme whose objective is to improve urban resilience to flooding in the municipalities of the middle section of the Segura River basin, through multi-actor cooperation, applied scientific knowledge, green infrastructure and citizen participation.

The Health, Social Affairs, Development Cooperation, Equality and Family Commission of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM) held a new working session at the Federation's headquarters, in which various strategic issues for the social and health development of the region were addressed, with special attention to initiatives linked to the European CAPABLE project.

The FMRM's working committees serve as spaces for coordination, analysis, and proposal development, bringing together municipal representatives from across the Region of Murcia. This allows for the channeling of local needs toward more effective public policies. In this case, the committee is chaired by Ms. María Ángeles Túnez García, Mayor of Puerto Lumbreras, and boasts broad representation from municipalities throughout the Region. This territorial diversity reinforces the participatory and pluralistic nature of the body, fostering the sharing of experiences, the identification of local needs, and the promotion of joint initiatives for the benefit of the community.

During the session, the following was presented: “European CAPABLE Project”The presentation was given by Ms. Ana María González Sánchez, a technician from the FMRM, who outlined the objectives and main lines of action of this European initiative aimed at strengthening the care sector in the face of challenges such as the aging population and the shortage of professionals. In this regard, its alignment with the VI Pact for the Social Economy of the Region of Murcia 2025-2028 was highlighted, especially concerning the promotion of employment, training, and the strengthening of the care economy.

In direct relation to this approach, the following was addressed: Point: “SEF resources for the qualification of workers”Presented by Ms. Ana Meroño Méndez, Head of the Guidance Section of the SEF. During her presentation, key tools such as work-study programs and the professional skills recognition procedure (PREAR) were discussed, which are fundamental to improving employability and professionalization in the care sector.

Both points highlight the need to promote training, talent attraction and the improvement of working conditions in the sector, in line with the objectives of the European CAPABLE project, which promotes the improvement of professional skills, the exchange of good practices and the strengthening of care systems at the regional and European level.

Furthermore, the importance of adapting training pathways to the real needs of the sector was highlighted, facilitating access to training, the recognition of skills and the connection between theory and professional practice, key aspects for strengthening employment in the care economy.

With initiatives like this, the FMRM continues to consolidate its role as a key player in the implementation of European policies at the local level, promoting innovation and the improvement of public services in the Region of Murcia.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM), as a partner of the European project CAPABLE (Interreg Europe), participated on March 10, 11 and 12 in Germany in an international meeting for the exchange of good practices together with European entities.

Representing the FMRM were technicians Rocío Méndez Alemán and Ana María González Sánchez, accompanied by Tono Pasqual del Riquelme Herrero, Director General of Self-Employment and Social Economy, representing the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia and responsible for the VI Pact for the Social Economy of the Region of Murcia. This meeting is part of the project's transnational cooperation activities, which focus on improving public policies related to employment and skills development in the care sector.

During the conference, held in Dreieich and Neu-Isenburg, coordination meetings, thematic panels on labor market challenges in the healthcare field, and specific sessions for the presentation and validation of good practices among European partners took place.

A good regional practice with European impact

The Region of Murcia presented as a good practice the model promoted by the Regional Employment and Training Service (SEF), focused on the experiential employment and training projects in the care sector.

This model responds to a common challenge in Europe: the aging population and the growing demand for qualified professionals in the care sector, versus the lack of formal accreditation for many experienced workers.

The practice presented combines:

• Theoretical training and real employment from day onethrough alternating contracts.
• Obtaining official professional certificates, recognized throughout the national territory.
• Recognition of prior experience through the PREAR procedure, which allows for the accreditation of skills acquired at work.
• Personalized accompaniment by the public employment services.

This approach allows informal work experience to be transformed into official qualifications, facilitating job placement and improving the quality of employment in the sector.

Results and transferability

The Murcia model has demonstrated a significant impact:

• More than 600 officially accredited people.
• An investment of 23,7 million euros in 2025, co-financed 60% by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
• Improving the employability of vulnerable groups, especially women over 45 years of age.

Furthermore, it is an initiative transferable to other European regions, as it is aligned with the European Union's social inclusion priorities and based on adaptable regulatory frameworks.

European exchange and next steps

The meeting provided an opportunity to learn about other European initiatives, discuss legal and training barriers, and visit training and social and healthcare centers in Germany, reinforcing mutual learning between regions.

The FMRM's participation in these types of initiatives reinforces its commitment to improving local public policies and European cooperation, contributing to the professionalization of the care sector and the generation of quality employment opportunities in the Region of Murcia.

The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM), as the leading partner of the European LIFE GreenMe5 project, has collaborated in the organization of the 5th Green Innovation Camp, held this week in Cieza and focused on the biodiversity pillar within the Green City Accord.

Within the framework of this meeting, the first event was also held peer to peer, in which the municipalities of Murcia and Cieza shared with the other partners good practices related to the five pillars of the agreement: air quality, water quality, noise pollution, biodiversity and waste management.

The activities began in the municipality of Murcia with a visit to the Vivillo meander restoration project, where participants learned about the progress of this initiative and its impact on improving riparian ecosystems. Afterwards, they traveled to the Cañada Hermosa plant, where they were shown the waste management and recovery processes.

The day continued in Cieza, where various initiatives related to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and nature-based solutions were presented, aimed at improving urban resilience and advancing the tree cover targets established by the Nature Restoration Regulation. Green infrastructure management projects in different areas of the municipality were also showcased, including Camino de Murcia, Calle Esparteros—where the URBACT BiodiverCity project was presented—and the Juan XXIII North and South zones.

The tour ended in the Prince of Asturias Park, where a high water consumption lawn area has been transformed into a butterfly garden, promoting biodiversity and reducing water consumption.

The 25th took place Green Innovation CampThe event, which included the participation of municipal technicians, political leaders, and sustainability experts, featured Alfonso Alcolea, representative of the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Environment.

The day included a presentation by Gerard Passola, an international expert in arboriculture, as well as presentations from the municipalities of Cieza, Arezzo, Lorquí, and Vilnius, along with organizations such as ANSE, the Segura River Basin Authority, Arbocity, and Singular Green. To conclude, participants visited the pilot project for the renaturalization of the playground at the Cristo del Consuelo Public School, guided by its designer, Paz González, in which the school community also actively participated.

In the institutional sphere, the political reception was attended by Antonio Moreno, Secretary General of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, who accompanied the Mayor of Cieza, thus reinforcing the FMRM's commitment to promoting sustainable local policies and municipal cooperation.

Following the technical sessions, the project partners were able to learn about the historical heritage of the municipality with visits to the Serreta Cave and the Medina Siyâsa archaeological site.

The meeting concluded on the 26th with the celebration of Steering Committee Meeting, in which the progress of the different work packages of the project was reviewed.

The FMRM highly values ​​the development of these conferences, highlighting their productive nature and the exchange of experiences between European municipalities, which are fundamental to moving towards more sustainable urban models.