|
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can unsubscribe here.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Call for contributions / open consultations
|
|
|
|
|
|---|
Introduction |
Welcome to our new edition of SEMIDE’s e-Flash!
SEMIDE is proud to present our latest e-Flash for December-February with a new look and an upcoming revamped website announcement. In this issue, we highlight European Commission Directorates-General announcements redefining responsibilities and competencies in the Mediterranean region, share recent news related to Euro-MED cooperation and widespread challenges for the water sector, and showcase the key updates of our projects striving for a sustainable future in our region. Also included are the latest publications, opportunities and calls, and don’t miss out on our agenda of upcoming events.
Enjoy discovering our 170th e-Flash and join us in sharing water knowledge across the Mediterranean!
|
|
|---|
Editorial |
European Commission: New Directorates-General for MENA area and Eastern Neighbourhood |
|
|---|
In February 2025, the European Commission introduced two new Directorates-General: DG MENA and ENEST.
DG MENA coordinates relations with the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf under the authority of Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and Stefano Sannino, Acting Director-General.
|
|
|
This DG will strive to consolidate bilateral partnerships based on mutual interest. It covers the European Union South Neighbourhood Partner countries as well as Gulf countries. The cooperation with the Union for the Mediterranean will continue under this new DG.
DG ENEST falls under the authority of Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, and Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General. This DG is in charge of bilateral relations with the Western Balkans, the Eastern European Neighbourhood, Southern Caucasus countries, and Türkiye. It will also monitor enlargement and manage financial instruments such as IPA III, NDICI and EFSD+.
Further information: European Commission, 2025a / European Commission, 2025b
|
EuroMED News |
Renewed cooperation in progress between the EU and Algeria
From 27 to 30 January 2025, a European Commission (DG MENA) delegation met with Algerian ministries representatives, including the Ministry for Water Resources, in an effort to consolidate EU-Algerian relations and set objectives for 2025-2027 within the framework of a “new pact for the Mediterranean”. The EU delegation also included representatives from DG ENER, HOME and Foreign Affairs.
Sources: EEAS, 2025
|
|
|
|
|---|
Water News |
Floods in Algeria cause drinking-water shortage in Béjaïa and surrounding area
In mid-January 2025, extreme weather events in Northern Algeria resulted in floods causing significant damages to water infrastructure in the city of Béjaïa and surrounding municipalities. Drinking-water supply is limited to one water main from Tichy Haf dam and the Algérienne des Eaux has rationed water, alternating distribution between districts. As of mid-February 2025, repairs to damaged water mains are ongoing.
Source: Maghreb Émergent, 2025
|
|
Protracted rationing of water in Basilicata region, Italy
The state of emergency has been maintained by Basilicata regional authorities in view of the current water situation. Since September 2024, the Basilicata region located in Southern Italy has suffered from water scarcity due to drought and insufficient infrastructure maintenance. Numbers show that the Camastra lake, the region’s main water supply, is at 1/8 of its capacity and the situation was even more critical in December 2024 with only 1/80 of water availability. Additionally, local population has been affected by water contamination.
Sources: Valigia Blu, 2025
|
|
First desalinated water production in Oran province, Algeria
On 1 February 2025, Sonatrach Group announced the successful production of desalinated water through reverse osmosis in the Ras El Aïn station in Oran province located in Northwest Algeria. The station’s daily production capacity is estimated at 300,000 m3 intended to supply 3 million people. This operation stems from a national seawater desalination project, which aims to tackle growing drinking-water demand in Algeria.
Sources: Maghreb Émergent, 2025 / Sonatrach Group, 2025
|
|
Water shortage crisis in Cyprus
On 31 January 2025, the Cypriot Water Development Department provided the Cypriot National News Agency (CNA) with data showing that water reservoir levels were at 26%. This water shortage results from a two-year persistent drought, the destruction of the Kouklia desalination plant and the damage to the Mavrokolympos dam, both located in Paphos district in Southwest Cyprus. Government officials have presented solutions to anticipate worsening water shortages in the summer, including new desalination plants and increased dam service security. In addition, a proposal to use Turkish water supply was submitted to the Greek Cypriot side with the approval of Turkish authorities.
Source: Cyprus Mail, 2025 / CNA, 2025
|
|
|
|---|
Project News |
CRONUS - second annual meeting in Montpellier
The CIRAD hosted the second annual meeting of the Horizon Project CRONUS that took place in Montpellier (France) from 6 to 7 February, 2025. The event gathered the leading experts, researchers, and partners from across Europe to collaborate on innovative solutions for sustainable biofuel production and carbon capture technologies. The reunited partners presented the progress made so far regarding the different Work Packages of CRONUS as well as the upcoming steps related to the implementation and functioning of the project’s functional prototypes.
Further information: CRONUS website
|
|
FutureLakes - Website launch and call for applications towards protection and restoration of European lakes
In January 2025, FutureLakes launched its website and an Open Call for Associated Regions. The Call for Applications intends to select three associated regions that will receive up to €54,000 each to develop an action plan for the restoration of a natural lake in their region. Applications are open to local and regional authorities, and river basin organizations from EU Member States, their outermost regions, and Horizon Europe-associated countries. Regions from FutureLakes consortium countries are not eligible (Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the UK). Closing date: 31 March 2025 (17.00 CEST).
Further information: FutureLakes website
|
|
CARDIMED - Nature-based Solutions replication in the Mediterranean
As of January 2025, CARDIMED project has initiated its replication process in which additional replication regions will emulate specific strategies from the 9 demo sites. The project partners are now reaching out to other European regions interested in learning and make use of the NbS developed within CARDIMED. In parallel, SEMIDE is extending invitations for South MED regional and municipal authorities to be associated in this process.
A call for expression of interest is open until 7 March 2025.
Further information: CARDIMED website
|
|
NIAGARA - ZeroPollution4Water Cluster Application towards securing drinking water
In January 2025, NIAGARA joined the ZeroPollution4Water Cluster an initiative aiming at preventing groundwater contamination and protecting its quality as well as securing drinking water quality by protecting water sources. NIAGARA’s application is based on the project’s innovative approach to risk management, water quality monitoring and policy-making support.
A call for projects is still open until 31 March 2025.
Further information: NIAGARA website
|
|
OurMED - Expert insight and multilingual publications on sustainable water management
SEMIDE is currently publishing exclusive interviews with OurMED’s consortium containing in-depth discussions on sustainable water management in the Mediterranean. Video topics include Nature-based Solutions, digital twins, project demo site activity and regional replication.
In addition, two new scientific articles have been published. The first is titled “Data-driven modelling of hydraulic-head time series” and presents the results of the 2022 Groundwater Time Series Modelling Challenge. The second is the German translation of the July 2024 article on Multi-decadal groundwater level data analysis.
Further information: OurMED website
|
|
|
|---|
Environment News |
Workshop for Driving Agri-Food Innovation in Jordan
On 3 December 2025, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and the Jordanian National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) organised a capacity-building workshop in Amman, Jordan. This event aimed to address the country’s growing challenges related to food security, water, and climate.
Sources: SEMIDE, 2025
|
|
Morocco to receive $250 million in from World Bank for Agri-Food System transformation
On 19 December 2024, the World Bank announced a $250 million funding for the Morocco Agri-food Systems Program. The overall objective is to ensure the country’s agri-food sector resilience to climate change and increase food safety and quality. Morocco’s food system faces significant challenges caused by drought, especially in regard to rainfed cultures. This program is expected to optimise risk, water and soil management, benefiting over 1.3 million people including farmers and consumers.
Sources: World Bank, 2025
|
|
Third webinar of the “Urban Water and Climate Resilience in the Arab Region” Community of Practice (CoP)
The webinar was organised on 28 January 2025 by UN-Habitat and UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). For the first time since the CoP’s launch, experts were invited to discuss integrating climate risks and vulnerabilities in urban planning efforts. The event highlighted case studies from Jordan and Lebanon and innovative data tools for assessment, projection, and mapping.
Sources: RWS-CCAF, 2025
|
|
|
|---|
Nominations/Vacancies |
Presidential elections in Croatia
On 12 January 2025, incumbent President Zoran Milanović was re-elected to a second and final term as Head of State of the Republic of Croatia.
Further information: France 24, 2025
|
|
Presidential elections in Lebanon
On 9 January 2025, Joseph Khalil Aoun, former Commander of the Lebanese Armed, Forces was elected President of the Lebanese Republic. The new president nominated Nawaf Salam, former head of the International Court of Justice, Prime Minister of Lebanon.
Nawaf Salam’s government was formed on 8 February 2025. The following are the relevant nominations for agriculture and water:
Dr Joseph Saddi, Minister of Energy and Water
Dr Tamara el-Zein, Minister of Environment
Dr Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture
Further information: Lebanon National News Agency, 2025
|
|
Job Offers: Permanent contracts at the International Office for Water (OIEAU)
OIEAU is recruiting 2 Project Managers to contribute to innovative European projects within its Europe, Mediterranean, Central Asia and China unit.
1. IWRM project manager, consultation, planning
2. European Project Manager specialised in environmental economics
Both positions are full time and located either in Limoges or Sophia Antipolis.
Apply here: OiEau Website
|
|
Internship Opportunity: Policy and Regulation Analysis Analysis on Drinking Water and Climate Change Adaptation in the Mediterranean
SEMIDE is offering an internship opportunity (6 months in Sophia Antipolis, France) to contribute to innovative European projects CARDIMED and NIAGARA, focusing on policy and regulation analysis in South Mediterranean countries, and stakeholder identification for optimal project result replication. Deadline to apply is 3 March, 2025.
Apply here: SEMIDE Website
|
|
|
|---|
|
Report on sustainable development stakes and H2050 socio-environmental scenarios in the MED. |
|
|
Analysis on use of freshwater resources in Europe, highlighting ongoing challenges in water scarcity and resource management. |
|
|
European Environment Agency |
|
|
Assessment of local capacity for adapted intervention, and anthropisation and climate change impact on flood and submersion risks in French MED coast. |
|
|
Updated and comprehensive map of Europe's peatlands, floodplains and coastal wetlands distribution and potential risks. |
|
|
Reports on progress made to improve the state of EU water bodies over the past six years and identification of key areas where further efforts are needed. |
|
|
Study presenting 3 H2050 scenarios anticipating the evolution of water demand in metropolitan France in light of upcoming climate challenges. |
|
|
Call for contributions / open consultations
|
|
|---|
|
Annual publication highlighting projects and initiatives. |
|
|
Provide perspectives and challenges on the EU WRS to improve knowledge on inter-sectoral water considerations. |
|
|
Send your input to help implement efficiency principles in inter-sectoral policy. |
|
|
Award recognising innovative and exemplary initiatives in environmental protection and sustainable development in Morocco. |
|
|
Basin-level input for updating the Master Plans for Water Development and Management (SDAGE) and the Flood Risk Management Plans (PGRI). |
|
|
Fund for a YRI presentation of their own work in a high-level conference fully organized by a third party. |
|
|
15 July 2025 (ongoing results: April / June / August 2025) |
|
|
Call for tenders/proposals
|
|
|---|
|
€54,000 to develop an action plan for the restoration of a natural lake in line with FutureLakes project. |
|
|
Blue-Green Systems Journal |
|
|
Water and Climate Change Journal |
|
|
Blue-Green Systems Journal |
|
|
Water Quality Research Journal |
|
|
Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration |
|
|
Hydrological Processes Journal |
|
|
Éa Éco-entreprises and the Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur |
|
|
One day workshop focusing on innovative solutions and approaches in terms of rainwater management, preservation of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and sustainable development of coastal and urban areas. SEMIDE will present the experience of CARDIMED project as well as sponge approaches at landscape level from OiEau experiences (SpongeScapes and SpongeWorks projects) |
|
|
Climate Chance & City of Marseille
|
|
|
Directorate-General for Environment |
|
|
|
