Transforming a cancelled event into a 6-hour digital experience
Wetlands are essential for biodiversity, carbon storage, water regulation, and protection against extreme weather. Yet, they remain the most degraded habitats, urgently needing coordinated policies and restoration. When EU Green Week faced cancellation due to Covid, we were asked to turn a full-day, in-person workshop on Mediterranean wetlands into a six-hour online event – engaging enough to keep people awake, inspired, and connected.
The webinar, “Healthy wetlands: our best natural answer to the biodiversity, water and climate crises – the Mediterranean case,” gathered over 200 registered participants from governments, NGOs, academia, and EU institutions. Through livestreaming and social media, it reached more than 3,000 additional people.
The event helped position Mediterranean wetlands high on the political agenda by showcasing their role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and water crises.
- We built powerful engagement tools: we curated speaker calls, designed facilitation guides, integrated live polls, and used storytelling to make every presentation memorable.
- We connected science, policy, and practice: we brought together evidence, inspiring case studies, and lively debates, culminating in a final roundtable with concrete recommendations.
- We created lasting impact: we provided downloadable resources and produced a professional video which delivered strong, policy-oriented conclusions for participants and EU decision-makers.
- We loved the challenge of turning “Zoom fatigue” into Zoom energy. By mixing formats and voices, the event stayed lively, relevant, and productive. We also learned that with the right design, digital workshops can amplify impact – reaching wider audiences, producing reusable outputs, and shaping policy conversations well beyond the event itself.
- We loved gently nudging the speakers to blend their expertise with a more human and emotional touch. It brought a new energy to the event and deepened the connection with participants.
What they say
Chantal was the moderator of the event "Healthy wetlands: our best natural answer to the biodiversity, water and climate crises – the Mediterranean case" in the frame of the EU Green Week 2020 and I can answer for her effective communication leadership. She is also adaptable, problem-solving oriented and very creative, finding the way to transfer key messages to the audience.