Hydrodiplomacy: A Tool for Climate and Environmental Resilience, Peace and Security [Deadline: September 7, 2026]

Jul 21, 2026 (Deadline: 2026-09-07) | Cyprus Security and Defence Academy and Cyprus Institute
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The Cyprus Security and Defence Academy and the Cyprus Institute in cooperation with the University of Balamand and its Climate Diplomacy & Sustainable Peace Hub, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), have the pleasure of inviting you to the
ESDC Pilot Course “Hydrodiplomacy: a tool for climate and environmental resilience, peace, and security,” taking place in Nicosia, Cyprus, from 19-23 October 2026.

This course explores how water insecurity, climate change, environmental degradation, and increasing competition over natural resources contribute to instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises. As pressures on shared water resources intensify, hydrodiplomacy has emerged as a vital strategic tool for preventing conflict, promoting environmental peacebuilding, and fostering regional cooperation. Against this background, the course examines the role of water security within the wider framework of European and international security. It explores how and under
which conditions the cooperative management of transboundary water resources can strengthen resilience, support sustainable development, advance peacebuilding efforts, and help prevent conflict.

The course combines an e-Learning component with a residential session and serves as a critical contribution to raising awareness of the security implications of climate change and environmental degradation:

The main objectives of the course are to:

  • Understand the strategic importance of water security as a key dimension of human security, environmental security, and international peace and stability.
  • Examine the role of hydrodiplomacy, mediation, and negotiation in preventing and managing disputes over shared water resources.
  • Analyze the interlinkages between climate change, environmental degradation, water insecurity, and emerging security risks.
  • Explore how international water law, multilateral cooperation, and river basin governance mechanisms contribute to regional stability and peace.
  • Assess the implications of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus for sustainable resource management/governance and resilience.
  • Enable participants to apply hydrodiplomatic approaches to support conflict prevention, crisis management, and environmental peacebuilding.

The course contributes to the implementation of the EU Strategic Compass (2022) and Council Conclusions on “EU energy and climate diplomacy – strengthening sovereignty and advance the global clean transition” (2026) by enhancing resilience to climate- and water-related risks, strengthening capacities for conflict prevention and mediation, fostering international partnerships, and promoting cooperative approaches to environmental security and sustainable development.

We welcome all participants to this training activity, “Hydrodiplomacy: a tool for climate and environmental resilience, peace, and security.” The course will help build a network of climate- security practitioners from EU Member States, EU institutions, bodies, and agencies, while
providing a valuable platform for exchanging practical experiences and gaining policy-oriented insights into hydrodiplomacy, water security, environmental peacebuilding, and climate resilience.

Course description

Water insecurity, climate change, environmental degradation, and growing competition over natural resources are increasingly recognized as key drivers of instability, conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises. As pressures on shared water resources intensify, hydrodiplomacy has
emerged as an important instrument for conflict prevention, environmental peacebuilding, and regional cooperation.

The primary objective of the training is to equip participants with the essential knowledge, tools and skills required to integrate a climate and environmental security perspective into their day-to-day work. Specifically, by the end of the course, participants are expected to be capable of
applying a climate and environmental security perspective within their area of expertise.

Aim of the course

The 5-day course examines the role of water security within the broader framework of European and international security and explores how cooperative management of transboundary water resources can contribute to resilience, sustainable development, peacebuilding, and conflict
prevention. The outcomes of the training activity can be separated into three different categories: knowledge outcomes, skills outcomes and competence outcomes as detailed below:

Application procedure:

Applications are to be filed no later than 7 September 2026. For more information, please visit https://esdc.europa.eu/enlistapi/Invitation%20letter_Final.pdf