From February 23-27, 2026, the second ClimateCafé in Cabo Verde will take place in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, hosted by the University of Cape Verde. Over the past three years, Cape Verde University and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences have developed a strong collaboration, supported by the Intercambios Foundation in the Netherlands. This year, Gdansk University of Technology will also join the event.

During the ClimateCafé, mixed teams of students from the Netherlands and Cape Verde will work together to address the climate-related challenges facing Cape Verde. The country’s vulnerability to climate change is evident in various aspects, such as the increased frequency and intensity of droughts, agricultural losses, threats to biodiversity, and changes in the hydrological regime leading to flash floods.

In January 2025, the World Bank published the Country Climate Development Report link, which will be a key focus of the ClimateCafé. Participants will visit the islands of São Vicente and São Antão to observe the impacts of climate change and the adaptation measures being implemented.

To watch videos made by Cape Verdean and Dutch students during the 2023 Climate Café, please visit this link and scroll down.

Last year, professors from Cape Verde University visited Rotterdam University and the Centre of Expertise Social Innovation, specifically engaging with the Citylife team. Several Water Management students conducted research in Cape Verde related to climate change and water management.

For more information, please contact Rick Heikoop at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences via email at heith@hr.nl.