SMILES Conference
Islands at a Crossroad: Rethinking Ecosystem Services in Small and Medium-Sized Islands
24-25 June 2026
Brussels
Conference Details
Date
24-25 June 2026
Title
Islands at a Crossroad: Rethinking Ecosystem Services in Small and Medium-Sized Islands
Venue
COST Association, Avenue du Boulevard – Bolwerklaan 21, 1210 Brussels | Belgium
Photo by Matheo JBT in Unsplash
Conference Rationale
Small and medium-sized islands face growing pressures from climate change, land-use transformations, and biodiversity loss, while remaining highly dependent on ecosystem services for societal well-being.
SMILES Cost Action Conference provides a timely platform to rethink how natural capital and ecosystem services are assessed, governed, and integrated into decision-making in island contexts.
By bringing together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners, the event aims to foster evidence-based solutions, nature-based approaches, and policy-relevant insights to support resilient and sustainable island futures.
Conference Thematic Sessions
01
Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services
Valuation, assessment, and management of natural assets
Links between biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and human well-being
02
Land Use and Climate Change
Impacts of land-use change on island ecosystems
Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies
Interactions between landscape planning and environmental resilience
03
Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Design and implementation of NbS in island contexts
Green infrastructure, coastal protection, and restoration practices
Case studies showcasing effective NbS applications
04
Policy and Governance
Regulatory frameworks supporting ecosystem services
Governance challenges in small and medium-sized islands
Integrating scientific evidence into policy decision-making
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Open University of Cyprus / University of Bari Aldo Moro
Ecostack Innovations
University of Milano-Bicocca
Harokopio University of Athens
University of the Aegean
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Hellenic Mediterranean University
Universidade de Vigo
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Hellenic Mediterranean University
Open University of Cyprus / University of Bari Aldo Moro
Ecostack Innovations
Open University of Cyprus
Open University of Cyprus
Abstract Submission & Registration
With Abstract
Submit your research
Submission Period
1 March – 10 April 2026
Without Abstract
Attend as participant
Registration Period
Open (even last minute)