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Green Transition and Migration, Portugal, Braga, 2 June 2026

Updated: Jun 9

On 2 June 2026, the event “Green Transition and Migration” was successfully organised in Braga, Portugal, within the framework of the Act Green project. Hosted by EducPro at INNSiDE by Meliá Braga Centro, the event brought together participants, experts, local stakeholders, and representatives from partner countries involved in the project, namely Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Hungary, and Portugal. The initiative aimed to explore the interconnections between environmental sustainability, migration, social inclusion, and active citizenship, while promoting dialogue and cooperation among different sectors of society.



The event opened with a welcome coffee and registration session, allowing participants to meet, network, and establish initial contacts in an informal environment. This first moment helped create a positive atmosphere for intercultural exchange and collaboration throughout the day.

The official opening session was delivered by Fernando Vieira, President of EducPro, who welcomed participants and introduced the objectives of both the event and the Act Green project. In his remarks, he emphasised the growing importance of local action in addressing global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, social exclusion, and migration. He highlighted the need for stronger cooperation between public institutions, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and citizens to ensure that the green transition is both sustainable and inclusive. He stressed that environmental policies should not only focus on ecological objectives but also contribute to social cohesion, equal opportunities, and community well-being.

Following the opening session, participants attended a presentation led by Diogo Vieira, Trainer at EducPro, entitled “Green Transition and Migration in Braga: Local Policies and Initiatives.” The presentation provided an overview of the city’s sustainability strategies and explored how environmental policies can support the integration and participation of migrant communities. Particular attention was given to local initiatives promoting environmental awareness, community engagement, sustainable mobility, circular economy practices, and social inclusion. The session highlighted several examples demonstrating how migrants contribute actively to local development, entrepreneurship, cultural diversity, and sustainable community-building processes. Participants were encouraged to reflect on the opportunities created when environmental and social policies are designed in a complementary and integrated manner.

One of the central moments of the event was the Panel of Experts on Green Transition and Migration, moderated by Bruna Sismeiro. The panel brought together professionals from different sectors, offering participants a multidisciplinary perspective on the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainability and migration.

Carla Fernandes, President of Adolescere, shared her organisation’s experience in supporting vulnerable groups, including refugees and migrants, through education, social inclusion programmes, and community-based initiatives. She emphasised that successful integration requires not only access to services and opportunities but also a strong sense of belonging and participation within local communities. She highlighted the role of community engagement in creating inclusive and resilient societies capable of responding to environmental and social challenges.

Representing Braga Municipality, Daniel Pinto presented the city’s sustainability policies and ongoing efforts to promote environmental responsibility at the local level. His intervention focused on the importance of designing public policies that address the needs of increasingly diverse populations while supporting climate objectives. He discussed initiatives related to green urban planning, sustainable mobility, waste management, and citizen participation, highlighting the importance of ensuring that all residents, including migrants, can actively contribute to and benefit from sustainable development.

Rita Trindade, Sustainability Technician at the University of Minho, contributed an academic perspective by discussing the role of education, research, and evidence-based policymaking in advancing sustainable societies. She emphasised the need to combine environmental objectives with social justice principles and stressed that universities can play a key role in generating knowledge, fostering innovation, and preparing future generations to address complex sustainability challenges.

The panel discussion generated significant engagement among participants, who actively contributed through questions, comments, and reflections. Topics discussed included environmental education, migrant participation in sustainability initiatives, social inclusion, community resilience, green employment opportunities, and the importance of cross-sector cooperation.

Following the panel, participants took part in a highly interactive workshop facilitated by Bruna Sismeiro and Silan Karakoç. Working in small international groups, participants explored common challenges faced by their communities regarding environmental sustainability and migration. Through brainstorming exercises, visual mapping activities, and collaborative discussions, participants exchanged experiences, identified barriers, and developed practical recommendations. The workshop encouraged peer learning and allowed participants to compare approaches from different national contexts while jointly developing innovative ideas for promoting inclusive green practices.

The workshop produced several key recommendations, including increasing community participation in environmental initiatives, improving access to sustainability education for migrant communities, creating more opportunities for intercultural dialogue, supporting green volunteering programmes, and strengthening partnerships between local authorities, educational institutions, and civil society organisations.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in a series of educational study visits designed to showcase examples of sustainable practices implemented in Braga. The first visit took place at Quinta Pedagógica de Braga, where participants learned about environmental education programmes, urban agriculture initiatives, biodiversity protection measures, and circular economy practices. The visit provided practical examples of how environmental awareness can be promoted through hands-on learning experiences involving schools, families, and community groups.

The group then visited the historic Bom Jesus Funicular, one of the world's oldest water-powered transport systems still in operation. Participants explored how historical infrastructure can contribute to contemporary discussions on sustainable mobility and environmental preservation. This was followed by a guided visit to Bom Jesus Natural Park, where participants learned about biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, sustainable tourism management, and the role of natural spaces in promoting environmental awareness and quality of life.

These field visits allowed participants to connect the theoretical discussions from the morning sessions with concrete examples of sustainable development in practice. They also facilitated further exchanges between participants regarding how similar initiatives could be adapted and implemented within their own local contexts.

The event concluded with a networking dinner at Don Augusto Restaurant. This final activity provided participants with an informal setting to continue discussions, exchange experiences, strengthen professional relationships, and explore opportunities for future cooperation. The dinner reinforced the spirit of partnership and intercultural dialogue that characterised the entire event.

Overall, the “Green Transition and Migration” event successfully achieved its objectives by promoting awareness of the links between environmental sustainability, migration, and social inclusion. It created valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing, mutual learning, and cross-sector dialogue while highlighting the crucial role of local communities in building a greener, more inclusive, and more resilient Europe. The event also contributed to strengthening cooperation among project partners and stakeholders, fostering new ideas and partnerships that can support future initiatives addressing sustainability and social cohesion at both local and European levels.



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