University of Malta recently hosted a comprehensive participatory workshop focused on assessing the risks and cultural significance of coastal heritage assets under changing climate conditions. The event, part of the Climate‑MATCH initiative, brought together around 50 stakeholders from government, NGOs, academia, and industry, providing a unique platform for cross‑disciplinary dialogue and practical insights.
Climate‑MATCH: A Strategic Framework for Malta’s Coastal Future
The Climate‑MATCH project, commissioned by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Ministry for Environment, Enterprise and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour (MEER), aims to embed climate adaptation into the national policy and action plans. By aligning local needs with EU2023 flagship funding, the program seeks to ensure that coastal development, heritage preservation and environmental stewardship remain resilient for the coming decades.
Why Malta Needs Dedicated Climate Adaptation for its Heritage
Malta’s coastline is home to a wealth of cultural sites—megalithic temples, medieval towers, and traditional fishing villages—all of which face threats from sea‑level rise, increased storm intensity, and erosion. The Baltic, Mediterranean and Adriatic waters that border Malta exhibit similar patterns of coastal stress, making the island a case study for broader regional adaptation strategies.
CHeriSH: Coastal Heritage and Safeguards Against Hazards
The CHeriSH project, undertaken by the University of Malta (UM) in collaboration with the EU Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC), focuses on a detailed, sector‑specific risk and vulnerability assessment of coastal heritage assets. The resulting framework combines cultural significance analysis with structural vulnerability metrics, providing a holistic view of each asset’s exposure to climate‑related hazards.
Framework Components
- Heritage Significance Assessment – Evaluates tangible and intangible value, historical importance, and social relevance.
- Hazard Identification – Maps coastal hazards such as sea‑level rise, storm surges, and erosion patterns.
- Exposure Analysis – Determines the physical proximity of heritage sites to identified hazards.
- Vulnerability Mapping – Assesses structural fragility and the potential for loss or damage.
- Heritage Value@Risk Statement – Produces a concise, actionable recommendation for each site.
Workshop Highlights and Key Outcomes
The workshop, held on May 16, 2025, was structured into presentation sessions, interactive case studies and breakout group exercises. The agenda ensured that stakeholders could test the framework in real‑time and provide immediate feedback.
Presentation Cadre
The event opened with an overview of the project’s objectives, delivered by key stakeholders including Mr. Daniel Fenech (PWD), Mr. Christoph Klockenbring (SG Reform), and Prof. Ruben Paul Borg. Ms. Annukka Köppen then introduced the preliminary assessment framework, detailing each step from cultural significance to vulnerability.
Interactive Case Studies
- Xorb L’Ghagin – Megalithic structures were used as a short session for rating cultural significance and exposure.
- Għajn Tuffieħa Tower – A comprehensive breakout group exercise that tested the full framework, providing comparative data and highlighting methodological gaps.
Stakeholder Engagement
Participants represented a wide spectrum of expertise: conservationists, heritage managers, tourism operators, civil engineers, architects, climate analysts and local government officials. The collaborative atmosphere facilitated a constructive critique of the framework and led to actionable suggestions that are now incorporated into the next revision cycle.
Practical Takeaways for Heritage Professionals
1. Adopt a Multi‑Disciplinary Lens – Effective risk assessment requires perspectives from conservation science, engineering, and socio‑cultural studies. The workshop demonstrated the value of integrating these viewpoints early in the planning stages.
2. Use Structured Frameworks – The CHeriSH workflow, with its clear stages, ensures consistency across assessments. Firms and NGOs can adapt this model to fit local contexts by adjusting hazard parameters.
3. Prioritize Stakeholder Input – Early engagement of community volunteers, tourism operators and property owners improves the quality of the exposure and vulnerability data, and enhances public support for adaptation measures.
4. Leverage EU Funding Mechanisms – Projects aligned with EU climate adaptation objectives, such as Climate‑MATCH, can access co‑funding. Understanding the funding streams and application requirements is essential for scaling up local initiatives.
5. Document and Share Findings – Making assessment reports publicly available fosters transparency and facilitates comparative studies across Malta’s islands and neighboring Mediterranean regions.
Moving Forward: Implementation Roadmap
The University of Malta plans to refine the framework based on participant feedback and to pilot it on additional sites in the next quarter. Parallel to this, the PWD and MEER will incorporate the resulting risk statements into the national coastal management strategy.
Action Steps for Your Organization
- Evaluate your current heritage inventory for potential climate exposure.
- Schedule a meeting with the UM Climate‑MATCH team to discuss integration of the CHeriSH framework.
- Participate in the upcoming pilot assessments to contribute to shared knowledge.
- Align your project proposals with EU climate adaptation funding criteria.
Resources & Next Steps
For organizations looking to deepen their understanding of coastal heritage risk assessment, UM’s CHeriSH project offers a suite of resources:
- Download the CHeriSH Whitepaper
- Contact the Climate‑MATCH coordination team
- Explore upcoming workshops and training sessions
- Leave your comments and share experiences below
Interested stakeholders are encouraged to apply for the next series of participatory workshops and to sponsor local conservation projects through the UM partnership network.
We Value Your Input
Share your insights on the challenges faced by coastal communities in preserving heritage amid climate change. They inform future policy and help refine our framework. Comment below or reach out via contact form today.
