EMWIS Flash N°117 - April/May 2014

EMWIS Flash - April/May 2014 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector For further information: www.emwis.net & check our page at facebook Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, CHJ Mediterranean Water Knowledge Platform Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism / Geo-Catalogue / UfM-Water / AquaForMED / PAWA / NWRM / MED-3R/ R-KNOW / demEAUmed / WEAM4i / SAID / OPIRIS

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In this issue N°117 (www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash117)
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HEADLINE
1- The "Mediterranean knowledge platform on water" project got the label of the Union for the Mediterranean
IN BRIEF
2- EuroMed Environment Ministers define future actions to face environmental challenges
3- Kick-off meeting of the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum, Rabat (Morocco), 18 June 2014
4- 5th Beirut Water Week: "Water, energy, food and ecosystems nexus in the Mediterranean Region: current challenges and future insights"
5- Europe Region Process for the World Water Forum 2015 Kick-off meeting, Brussels 19 May 2014
6- MED-3R: website launched for the Strategic Euro-Mediterranean Platform for Appropriate Waste Management
7- R-KNOW: launch of the Regional Knowledge Network on Water website and SEARCH final workshop
8- WEAM4i: water and energy efficiency in irrigation, website launched and presentation to the Spanish Irrigators
9- PAWA : Water accounting approach proposed at the 3rd Meeting of the OECD Water Governance Initiative
10- demEAUmed: Closing the water cycle  in tourist facilities, website and leaflet published
11- AquaForMED: « Side-Event » of water professional training centers at the 3rd Istanbul International Water Forum
12- An environmental Standards Information Portal for Europe SIPE-RTD and SIPE final conference
13- SWEEP-Net/CMI joint workshop on the Cost of Environmental Degradation due to solid waste practices
14- Reducing pollution in the southern Mediterranean
15- Spain: Municipality, Political parties, Civil Society organisations and Trade Unions sign agreement for a public water management
16- Greece guaranteed access to Sentinel data
17- Morocco : A national plan for water management of 230 billion Dirhams
18- Morocco: Space brings fresh water
19- Tunisia: Structural integration of the informal sector into the municipal waste management
20- Lebanon faces water crisis after record winter drought
21- Eels can be used to help monitor water's ecological quality
22- WssTP launches first Water Innovation SME awards in Europe
23- European Innovation Platform: Rapid Benefits for Benchmarking Action Group

NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS  
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
PROJECTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS

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HEADLINE
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1- The regional project towards a Mediterranean Water Knowledge Platform got the UfM label on 8 April, at the unanimity of 43 countries members of the Union for the Mediterranean. The project has two components. The 1st one, coordinated by the International Office for Water (IOWater), aims at strengthening the National Information Systems on Water in line with the regional approach taken implemented by the Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know -how in the Water sector (EMWIS). The 2nd one, coordinated by the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME), is based on the exploitation of data and information on water for the preparation of a Mediterranean White Paper on Water. This White Paper is part of logical showcasing best practices for integrated water resources management. Six pilot countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Monaco, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia) are involved in the 1st phase of the project, while regional activities related to guidelines and capacity building will be opened to all the Mediterranean countries. The partners have already secured more than 40% of their budget requirements for the activities up to end 2016 and actively looking for the matching funds. Further information on EMWIS website.
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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The future strategic directions to reduce pollution and increase resource efficiency in the Euro-Med region were set out by the Ministers in charge of environment and climate change from the 43 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). The first UfM Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change, held in Athens on 13 May 2014, discussed environmental and climate-related challenges facing the region. The Ministers acknowledged the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on the Mediterranean region and shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns for a green and low emission economy. They highlighted the cross-sectorial nature of environment and climate change challenges and the importance of fostering growth and job creation, while ensuring better quality of life and a sustainable future. “Long term sustainable economic growth also undoubtedly lies in the capacity of the region ‘to be one’ on environmental issues. We must build successes in this field, continuing identifying concrete steps and measures, first and foremost with Governments, but also the private sector and all stakeholders in order to step up our regional cooperation efforts and get closer to tangible results,” said UfM Secretary General Fathallah Sijilmassi. As tangible outcomes of the meeting, the Ministers agreed to launch the second phase of the Horizon 2020 Initiative for the depollution of the Mediterranean Sea, with the full involvement of the UfM Secretariat. They welcomed the adoption of the Ten Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patters (SCP) by the Heads of State in Rio+20, and strongly supported the collaborative efforts of the European Union and the UfM Secretariat on the implementation of the SWITCH-MED and the Med ReSCP projects, respectively. As regards climate change, the Ministers agreed on the creation of the “UfM Climate Change Expert Group” to advance discussion on climate change priority actions and accelerate the identification and development of concrete projects and initiatives. The group will meet once a year, with the first meeting expected to take place in October 2014. The Ministers also invited high level experts and officials to meet at least on a biannual basis and in conjunction with other regional meetings collaborating on environment or climate issues. The “UfM Working Group on Environment and Climate Change” will follow up on the adopted Ministerial Declaration and will assess the progress made. “The UfM stands today as an operational platform allowing to foster coordination efforts, by drawing on the synergies and complementarities with and between governments, institutions, stakeholders and cooperation schemes in the region and aiming at identifying concrete regional projects and initiatives,” underlined the Secretary General. Further information on EMWIS website.

3- When holding the 1st Mediterranean Water Forum on 19-20 December 2011 in Marrakesh (Morocco), the main stakeholders from the Mediterranean water and environmental community had launched a call to organize the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum. During the Mediterranean Session held in Marseille at the 6th World Water Forum in March 2012, the President of the Region of Murcia, Mr. Luis Ramon Varcarcel, suggested to host and organize this second event in Murcia (Spain). It will take place on November 2014. The Mediterranean Water Institute (IME) and the Foundation Euro-Mediterranean Water Institute (F-IEA) are willing to organize the Kick-off meeting of the 2nd Mediterranean Water Forum, with the support of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the aegis of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment, to be held on June 18th, 2014 in Rabat, Morocco. On this occasion, the Mediterranean preparatory process of the 7th World Water Forum will be launched by organizing its first meeting of the Steering Committee this day. Further information on EMWIS website.

4- The regional 5th Beirut Water Week will be held on 22 and 23 May 2014 at Notre Dame University-Louaize, in Beirut, Lebanon. The event is organized under the auspices of H.E Eng. Arthur Nazarian, Minister of Energy and Water of Lebanon, by the Notre Dame University (NDU) and its Water, Energy and Environment, Research Centre (WEERC), the International and Mediterranean Network of Basin Organizations (INBO-MENBO), the International Water Office (OIEau), the Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector (EMWIS), the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-MED), the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME), the Mediterranean Component of the EU Water Initiative (MED EUWI), the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Center of Arab and Water Security-Arab League, and follows up to the successful organization of four similar Mediterranean multi-events, with an emphasis this year on a set of crucial issues, such as: 1- Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems Nexus at National and Transboundary level; 2- Non-Conventional Water Resources within an IWRM context; and 3- Innovative scientific and technological tools and methodologies. EMWIS will be participating in this regional event through Mr. Walter MAZZITTI, Steering Committee President, who will chair the session on "Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems Nexus". Further information on EMWIS website.

5- The 7th World Water Forum will be held in Daegu & Gyeongbuk, Korea, 12 – 17 April 2015 with the title: Water for our future. Hence, the European preparations for the next World Water Forum have started. French Water Partnership and Danish Water Forum have been appointed by the forum organisers to facilitate the European process and invite all water stakeholders in Europe to join them in a discussion on water challenges in Europe and globally. They call also for contributions from European Stakeholders and invite them to participate in the kick-off meeting and to participate actively in the European Regional Process. During the 2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting held in Korea 27-28 February 2014 present European stakeholders held a preliminary discussion of topics to serve as a starting point for the discussion: 1. Improving water efficiency; 2. Climate change and water management; 3. Integrated implementation of EU directives; 4. Transboundary water management; 5. Responsibility for the global development – water and SDG’s. Implementation mechanisms were also discussed such as economics and financing, Horizon 2020, Partnerships and Implementation of EIP Water, Solidarity Financing Mechanisms. These and more topics will be discussed in Brussels on the 19th May at this Kick-off meeting of the Europe Region Process for the 7th World Water Forum 2015. Further information on EMWIS website.

6- MED-3R (Strategic Euro-Mediterranean Platform for Appropriate Waste Management) project website was launched recently. This website has been set up by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Nice Cote d’Azur & the Metropolis of Nice Cote d’Azur. It is available in three languages: English, French and Arabic, and it outlines the activities, events and results of the whole partnership to the general public. The objective of the project MED-3R is to reinforce the governance and participation of public authorities, industrial, commercial and education sectors, NGOs and the general public, in order to improve the institutional framework for waste management. 13 pilot activities on 7 themes will be set up locally on the project’s 8 territories. The aim is to evaluate their operational efficiency and their ability to adapt to local conditions, as well as to disseminate good practices and carry out awareness-raising and communications operations. These pilot activities will focus on demonstrations and disseminating and building practices at Mediterranean and local level (extension to other neighbourhoods or other territories in the country). The continuous assessment of activities and measures to capitalise on results should make it easier to transfer the pilots to other towns or extend them locally. The organized visits will provide an opportunity to raise awareness among public contractors and key stakeholders on managing waste locally and on Mediterranean scale. EMWIS is coordinating the pilot actions of this project (WP6). Further information on EMWIS website.

7- The Social, Ecological, Agricultural Resilience in the face of climate change (SEARCH) project was initiated in 2011 and ended in April 2014. SEARCH has successfully developed and piloted a resilience framework for adaptation to climate change in Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. Throughout the implementation of the project , it actively empowered and built the resilience of both local target groups in communities and watersheds and government staff working in relevant government agencies at the Governorate/District as well as the National Levels. On the 16th - 17th April 2014, funded by the EU and ISESCO, a ceremony took place in Amman (Jordan) to share the process and experience of local communities in reaching climate change resilience in the Arab Region. This ceremony was also the occasion to launch the Regional Knowledge Network on Water (R-KNOW) website and present it to the public. The launch aimed at introducing the stakeholders with the Regional Knowledge Network on Water, which will assist in strengthening the application of systematic approaches to water management in the five countries. During the discussions, suggestions to strengthen the Regional Knowledge Network on Water (R-KNOW) were given for the following thematic areas: Water Governance (Conventional and non-conventional resources); Climate Change; Water, Food and Energy; Innovative & Sustainable Technologies. EMWIS is partner of this project. Further information on R-KNOW website.

8- WEAM4i project (Water & Energy Advanced Management for Irrigation) has launched its website (www.weam4i.eu).  On the other hand, from the 12th to the 16th of May the XIII Spanish Irrigators Communities Congress is held in Huelva, to discuss the present and future of the sector. Organized by the National Federation of Spanish Irrigators Communities (FENACORE) and the Irrigator Community of Palos de la Frontera, this congress aims to promote a competitive, innovative and efficient agriculture. Andrés del Campo, the President of Fenacore, has highlighted the importance of betting a rational distribution of the energy costs in order to improve a sustainable activity. The European project WEAM4i will be shown as a key and innovative platform to improve the efficiency of water use and reduce the energy cost for irrigation systems. WEAM4i  is a European project co-funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Program within ENV-2013-WATER-INNO-DEMO-1 (Challenge 6.3: Improving resource efficiency), with a budget of 7.6 M € over 42 months, and started on November 1st, 2013.  It is planned to develop a smart network for the management of irrigation that will act interactively on the rational use of water and energy. The results will be tested and evaluated in three regions of the European Union covering a wide range of crops, water resources and energy markets: Aragon (Spain), Lower Saxony (Germany) and Alentejo (Portugal). EMWIS is partner of this project. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- The OECD Water Governance Initiative is an international multi-stakeholder network of around 100 delegates from public, private and not-for-profit sectors gathering twice a year in a Policy Forum to share on-going reforms, projects, lessons and good practices in support of better governance in the water sector. It was launched on 27-28 March 2013 in Paris and held its 2nd Meeting on 7-8 November 2013 (OECD Headquarters, Paris). The 3rd meeting took place in Madrid (Spain) last April 28-29th, 2014. The Arno River Basin Authority (ARBA), representing the PAWA project consortium (ARBA, ISPRA and EMWIS), took part in the meeting and presented the project approach as a tool for good water governance at basin level during the working group session chaired by the International Network of River Basin Authorities (INBO). The PAWA project is related to the development of water accounts following the UN SEEA-W framework but with a monthly resolution at catchment level. The goal is to improve knowledge on water resources available and their use and to assess the potential impact of management, technological and economical measures to reduce the vulnerability of the territory against desertification, water scarcity and drought. EMWIS is partner of PAWA project. Further information on EMWIS website.

10- Demonstrating integrated innovative technologies for an optimal and safe closed water cycle in Mediterranean tourist facilities (demEAUmed) project has launched its website (http://demeaumed.eu/) and printed a leaflet. Partners of demEAUmed project will participated in the 17th Symposium of the European Water Association (EWA) on water, energy and sanitation as well as in the Water Innovation Europe 2014 organised by the WssTP. demEAUmed is a European project co-funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework Program, and started on January 1st, 2014 for over 42 months(2014-2017). Seven countries are establishing this project; Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, France and Belgium. demEAUmed proposes to integrate innovative water treatment technologies, ICT and water management tools to save fresh water consumption and to reduce environmental and socio-economic impacts in a safe way. Different proven water treatment technologies at pre-marketable level will be properly combined to treat and adapt the different water flows to the necessities of the different areas within the resort. EMWIS is partner of this project. Further information on demEAUmed website.

11- According to the UN experts who gave a definition of the concept in 2013, water security is “the capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.” It’s possible to underline two key-points in this definition. First, referring to a population own “capacity”, a society is both the object and the actor of its water security. Secondly, vulnerability of water infrastructure is the contrary to water security for each aspect of this definition. For these two reasons, in a situation of either scarcity or profusion, “water security” cannot be achieved without the capacity building of professional staff in the fields of water and sanitation. Their daily commitment to maintain infrastructures is directly contributing to reduce “vulnerability” and consequently promote “water security”. In order to achieve their missions, Water and Sanitation Services need an appropriate training. This is why the AquaforMed network, which gathers vocational training centers from Mediterranean countries, is organising a side-event during the 3rd Istanbul International Water Forum. This  “side-event” aims to emphasize on the potential of vocational training to raise water security, showing how it can be promoted by efficient juridical tools, such as  appropriate national rules for financing vocational training. The first conclusions of 2 ongoing studies developed by the AquaforMed network will be discussed during the side-event. EMWIS is supporting AquaforMed network. Further information on AquaforMed website.

12- The FP7 project SIPE (An environmental Standards Information Portal for Europe) has just built an environmental standards information portal named SIPE-RTD. This SIPE-RTD Web Portal serves as a knowledge brokerage tool, linking EC Policies to European Standards related to (monitoring of) the environment, as well as to EU funded RTD results potentially in support of the development and implementation of such Standards. The SIPE-RTD Web Portal operates as a ‘switch board’, linking related information that is available in the different communities (Standards, Policy and Research) in a thematic way. The final conference of the SIPE project will be organised in Brussels on Tuesday 17 June 2014. The aim of SIPE is to promote and increase the use of research results in support of Standards (related to the environmental compartments air, water, soil and waste) to stakeholders from Research, Standardisation bodies, policy and enterprises/SMEs. Therefore, this dedicated web based Standards Information Portal (SIPE-RTD) is developed and implemented. Easy transfer of information is facilitated by an input module and a document repository. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- The defects and shortcomings of the solid waste sector impact the health, the environment, the economy and social matters. The analysis of the costs of environmental degradation of the environment is tied to the solid waste management practices. Cost of Environmental degradation (COED) defines and measures this diminished life quality as a result of environmental damages caused by waste, and as a result of the costs of non-action regarding this development. Thus, COED offers decision-makers a tool to take actions that are based on the ultimate costs and effects of the problem at hand. It also offers the necessary tools to better establish priorities of action, allocate necessary resources to remedy the damages, and reduce the associated costs. SWEEP-Net/GIZ and the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) have cooperated to conduct COED studies for the first time in three cities (Rabat, Tunis, Beyrouth). After having realized the provisional reports for the three COED-Waste analyses in all three cities named above, a workshop on the synthesis of results was organised from 23 to 24 April in Marseille, France. Further information on EMWIS website

14- Countries bordering the south and east of the Mediterranean need to continually improve many aspects of environmental management to reduce pollution in the sea, according to a new assessment. The "Horizon 2020 Mediterranean report - Toward shared environmental information systems"  has been coordinated by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan with financial support from the European Commission under the ENPI-SEIS project. It focuses on three main environmental topics: waste water and sanitation, solid municipal waste and industrial emissions. Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director, said: "Countries have put tremendous efforts into submitting data and seeking a better understanding of the pressures on the Mediterranean, an important step in cutting the pollution of the sea. However, the region needs to work even harder together if it is to meet its target to depollute the sea by 2020." There are still many data gaps for the topics covered by the report, in particular for wastewater management. Countries should also invest in creating an emissions inventory to show annual emissions of pollutants from different industrial facilities, the report says. Despite the multiplicity of activities already being carried out by civil society and governments in the region to tackle the pollution problem, there is still scope for intensifying cooperation and information sharing. This is a necessary step towards regular progress in assessing the status of the Mediterranean.  Further information on EMWIS website.

15- Wednesday 7 May the signing ceremony took place in a crowded city hall in Zaragoza (Spain). The agreement consists in eight point for a public and participatory water management in Zaragoza and its surroundings. The declaration starts with the statement that “water is a public good. Rivers, aquifers, lakes and swamps must remain under public control as they are part of our natural heritage. Water supply and sanitation services are human rights and must be available and accessible for all. For this reason these services must NOT be governed according to ‘market logics’, but instead be governed in a public and participatory manner: without profit-making aims but as a service of general interest”. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- Just weeks after the launch of Sentinel-1A, ESA and Greece have signed a first arrangement that establishes access to Sentinel data, marking a significant step forward in their exploitation. The Sentinel family of satellites is being developed to meet the operational needs of Europe’s environment monitoring programme, Copernicus. The  Earth-observing missions will provide a wealth of information for various services that help improve daily life and address the environmental consequences of climate change. The data will be made freely accessible for Copernicus Services, as well as to scientific and other users. Signing on Greece’s behalf, the President of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) Kanaris C. Tsinganos expressed his appreciation of working with ESA on establishing the agreement that guarantees Greece the valued access to Sentinel data. ESA supports national initiatives by establishing direct and efficient access to Sentinel data, providing technical advice on the set-up of data acquisition and dissemination, as well as making data processing and archiving software available to national initiatives. Further information on EMWIS website

17- According to the Permanent Committee of the Supreme Council for Water and Climate in Morocco, solving the major problems of the water sector in Morocco require a budget of 230 bn DH investment by 2030. This of course is beyond the means of ONEE, the National Office for Water and Electricity. The national water plan is based on five pillars, namely : 1- the value of water resources and the improvement of its management to rationalize consumption; 2- the development through the mobilization of surface water and transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit regions; 3- Protection of water resources and adaptation to climate change; 4- revision of the pricing of agricultural water that does not currently exceed 3DH/m2; 5- the fight against overexploitation. Such investments will certainly not be funded by ONEE that already spends nearly 5 bn dirhams per year for the water sector. Other tracks should certainly lead to public -private partnerships as Investment of 450 MDH programmed by Platinum Power in dams. Similarly, the issue of fair prices in agriculture, also likely to be a major concern with one side the grievances of farmers and on the other hand the economic logic. Further information on EMWIS website

18- Combine solar panels, wind energy, a bit of space tech and here is the result: a self-sustainable water treatment facility making polluted groundwater drinkable. Recycling waste water and urine into drinking water is not only for astronauts – the same method is now treating groundwater for a school in Morocco. The village of Sidi Taïbi near Kenitra, 30 km from Morocco's capital city Rabat, has grown rapidly in recent years, and providing fresh water to its inhabitants is difficult because the groundwater with too much nitrate and fertiliser, is unsuitable for human consumption. ESA has been working for over 20 years on the best recipe for a closed life-support system that processes waste and delivers fresh oxygen, food and water to astronauts. One of the discoveries is how to build and control organic and ceramic membranes with tiny pores that can filter out unwanted compounds in water, in particular nitrate.  Building on ESA’s experience with membranes, French company Firmus teamed up with Germany’s Belectric to build a self-sustaining unit powered by solar panels and wind energy. The more that astronauts can recycle, the fewer supplies they need to pack for space. One solution ESA is working on is to use bacteria, algae, filters and high-technology together so the organisms produce oxygen, water and food from waste. The trick is finding the right techniques and combining them in a single package. Along the way, ESA’s life-support team have studied a number of novel methods, from cholesterol-reducing bacteria to bubbly-wine production.  If the membrane approach works well in Morocco, the unit will be scaled up by a factor of ten to deliver water to the rest of the local population. Further information on EMWIS website.

19- Waste produced in Tunisia contains up to 24 % recyclable materials (paper, plastic , glass, metals , ... ) . About 8000 informal scavengers earn their living in Tunisia by collecting these materials and selling them to intermediaries or directly to recyclers. The informal sector in Tunisia is not organized. The institutions responsible for waste management in Tunisia (ANGed and municipalities) often do not have direct or official relations with informal pickers despite the fact that they contribute significantly to the recycling sector in Tunisia. Scavengers are often discriminated by the Tunisian society. International actors and ANGed have started initiatives in this area and have already achieved some results in improving the living and working conditions of the informal waste sector, but not to a sufficient extent. To achieve a (partial) formalization of the informal waste sector, dialogue between all actors at national and local level is required. In this sense, the project " Structural integration of the informal sector into the municipal waste management in Tunisia" was launched at the end of April. It aims at improving the working and living conditions of the informal sector, to generate income opportunities and financial resources. At the same time, the effectiveness of waste management at the local level is to increase. The partners to this project are mainly the State Secretariat for Sustainable Development via its subordinate agency ANGed and the two pilot municipalities La Marsa and Ettadhamen/ Mnihla. Other partners, among them the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministries of Youth, Sports, Women and Family, NGOs active in the informal waste sector in Tunisia, microfinance institutions in Tunisia and other international donors, will contribute to certain activities during the implementation phase. Further information on EMWIS website

20- Lebanon is bracing for a summer drought, after a record dry winter exacerbated by a massive influx of Syrian refugees and longstanding water management problems. In Ammiq, in the east of the country, the effects of the dry winter are already visible. Lebanon's meteorological service says the country has had just 431 mm (17 inches) of precipitation since September, less than half last year's 905.8 mm and far below the yearly average of 812 mm. The country hasn't seen such low levels since 1932, when just 335 mm was recorded, according to Hadi Jaafar, assistant professor of irrigation engineering and water management at the American University in Beirut. The energy and water ministry has publicly called for citizens to reduce their usage, urging them to avoid washing cars and even to "minimise personal water usage, including showers." In March, a group of activists and businessmen launched Blue Gold, an initiative to limit water loss and better manage Lebanon's resources. Its proposals include better storage facilities and monitoring, wastewater treatment and more water efficient households and crops. Further information on EMWIS website.

21- The European eel could act as an indicator of the ecological quality of aquatic environments, according to a new study. The research suggests that new pollution limits could be developed based on levels of pollutants in eel muscle, with the aim of improving the ecological quality of water under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). It sets Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) in water, sediments or wildlife for a number of pollutants, and the list of these has recently been updated. Throughout Europe, the ecological quality of water bodies is assessed using the Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR). The EQR can be affected by a wide range of factors, including human pressures, such as climate change and pollution. Previous research has shown that the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is, for most of its freshwater stage, a good indicator of a water body's chemical status. Contaminants found in their tissues provide an accurate reflection of the contaminants within their habitat. Information on bioaccumulation – the build-up of chemicals in plants and animals – in eels from a number of European countries has been collected in an eel monitoring database. Overall, the study suggests that monitoring accumulation in eels could help refine WFD EQS for a number of waterborne pollutants to help protect aquatic ecosystems. The results also highlight the particular relevance of higher chlorinated PCBs to EQR scores. Further information on EMWIS website.

22- To support the economic opportunities for the European water sector and especially the small and medium enterprises in Europe, the European Technology Platform for Water WssTP is taking the initiative to host a Water Innovation SME awards ceremony for the European SMEs that have generated innovative solutions or technologies for water resource management with high market potential. All small and medium enterprises, registered in a Member State of the European Union or Associate Country are warmly invited to submit innovative breakthrough solutions or technologies. WssTP Technology Advisory Board will evaluate all the innovation proposals submitted, on the basis of their innovation, market potential and exploitation strategy. The winning applications will be the innovations characterised as best practices in their field of application with high market potential. Further information on EMWIS website.

23- The European Benchmarking Co-operation (EBC) Foundation was selected as an EIP Water Action Group in March 2014 and started its activities immediately. The EBC Foundation is a not-for-profit water industry initiative, which offers a benchmarking programme for water and wastewater utilities in Europe; it aims to improve and innovate their services through mutual learning. To date, not many utilities from Eastern Europe have benefited from this benchmarking. The Danube Water Programme, a capacity-building initiative of the World Bank and International Association of Water Supply Companies in the Danube for utilities and associations in the Danube region, has selected EBC as preferred partner to facilitate utility benchmarking. The recent selection of EBC as an EIP Water Action Group has accelerated this process significantly: it allowed the EBC Foundation to be contracted by the World Bank as a single-source provider and quickly start facilitating benchmarking activities for the Danube region. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
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24- Algeria : Hocine Necib, was maintained as Minister of Water Resources in the new government. Twelve new ministers and two deputy ministers included in the new government of Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal whose component was officially released by the Presidency of the Republic of Algeria. Thus, Hocine Necib was retained as Minister of Water Resources and Delilah Boudjemaâ was appointed Minister of Planning and the Environment. Further information on EMWIS website

25- H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco receives the Zayed International Prize for the Environment on Wednesday 7th May 2014 in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) for his commitment to the environment and the efforts carried out by his Foundation in this field.  This Prize, one of the most prestigious awards worldwide, was established in 1999 to acknowledge and encourage exemplary action for environmental protection. A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Zayed International Foundation for the Environment. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- Right2Water campaign wins prestigious civil society award: The right2water campaign was nominated for the best campaign of the year award of the European civic forum, a transnational European network of over 100 civil society organisations from the EU member states. Individuals could vote for the nominees and the Right2Water campaign was voted the best. The award was presented to Anne-Marie Perret, President of the European Citizens Committee and President of EPSU by the deputy Mayor of Strasbourg, 3 May 2014. She drew attention to the demands of the ECI for the European Commission to present legislation to introduce the human right to water and sanitation in the EU based on the UN resolution on the same right of 2010. She also recalled the support for the ECI of many NGOs. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- New GWP Patron: Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, has agreed to join Global Water Partnership as a Patron of the organization. President Sirleaf is the first elected female Head of State in Africa, a 2011 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize,  and a Goodwill Ambassador for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa.  As many are aware she is also serving as co-chair, along with Mr Angel Gurria, OECD Secretary-General, for the High Level Panel of the Global Dialogue on Water Security and Sustainable Growth, taking place throughout 2014 and 2015. Further information on EMWIS website

28- Ramsar Calls for Wetland Conservation Awards Nominees: The Ramsar Secretariat has issued a call for nominations for the sixth edition of the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards.  The deadline for nominations is 15 July 2014. The Secretariat announced that three Awards will be given in the categories of: wetland wise use; wetland innovation; and young wetland champions. Each of the Awards will come with an Evian Special Prize of US$10,000 sponsored by the Danone Group. Further information on EMWIS website

29- Observatory of the Sahara and Sahel (OSS) aims to recruit a French speaking consultant for the preparation of the synthesis report of SASS III (North-Western Sahara Aquifer System) project and an environmentalist expert in water management. The proposed consultation requires large scientific and proven capacity for synthesis and French writing skills, coupled with a thorough knowledge of issues related to hydrology, agriculture, IWRM , sociology and rural economics. Experience (research or publication) in a transboundary basin would be a major asset. The deadline for receipt of applications is May 31, 2014 at midnight (Tunis time). On the other hand, and in the framework of the project "Improving the Resilience of Sahelian Populations to Environmental Change (REPSAHEL)," the Observatory of the Sahara and Sahel (OSS), is calling for applications for the recruitment of an environmentalist expert in water resources management. The application must reach the OSS not later than Friday, June 6, 2014 at 15:00 PM (Tunis time). Further information on EMWIS website.

30- Call for Application: Arab American Frontiers of Science, Engineering and Medicine Symposium, December 13-15, 2014: The U.S. National Academies and The Research Council (TRC) of Oman have just announced the second Arab American Frontiers of Science, Engineering and Medicine Symposium to be held in Muscat, Oman on December 13 to 15, 2014. This symposium will be held in partnership with The Research Council (TRC) of Oman, and co-sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The call for applications is now open and scientists, engineers and medical professionals from the U.S. and the Arab region are invited to submit their application online before the deadline of July, 6, 2014, 11:59 PM EDT (Washington D.C. time). The goal of these meetings is to enhance scientific exchange and dialogue among young researchers in Arab countries and the United States, including the Arab science diaspora, and through this interaction facilitate research collaboration within and beyond the region. One of the main objectives of this Frontiers symposium is to foster dialogue and collaborations across disciplines. Further information on EMWIS website.

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PUBLICATIONS
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31- The OECD Survey “Stakeholder Engagement for Effective Water Governance” is now available through: a questionnaire online (click here) in three languages (English, French and Spanish) until 5 June 2014. The objective is to collect data on stakeholder engagement trends, drivers and practices to assess the impact on decision-making processes related to water policy and projects. Results from the Survey will help provide evidence-based assessment, collect best practices, and formulate policy recommendations to the intention of decision-makers. Findings will be published in an OECD report to be launched at the 7th World Water Forum (Korea, April 2015). They will also feed the ongoing preparation of OECD Principles on Water Governance and OECD Indicators on Water Governance. Further information on EMWIS website.

32- The H2020 Mediterranean Report is a joint effort of the EEA and UNEP/MAP resulting from the creation of a regular review mechanism of environmental progress in the three H2020 policy priorities. These are municipal waste, urban waste water and industrial pollution. The report also serves as a contribution to the mid-term review of the H2020 initiative. Further information on EMWIS website.

33- "New legal study on Jordan River Basin: Legal Analysis of Transboundary Waters in the Upper Jordan River Basin": The Association of the Friends of Ibrahim Abd El Al (AFIAL) has released a new study on the Legal Aspects of the Upper Jordan River Basin.  Further information on EMWIS website.

34- "Establishing the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) towards Water Security: The Jordanian Perspective", is a new report by Dr. Hazim El-Naser, Minister of water and irrigation in Jordan, Eng. Basem Telfah, MWI Secretary General and Eng. Susan Kilani, Advisor- MWI. This report presents the Jordanian perspective towards the MDGs, SDGs and water security in Jordan and in the MENA region as a whole. Further information on EMWIS website.

35- GWP’s new 2014-2019 global strategy, Towards 2020, is now available online. The strategy outlines a new direction for GWP with the goals of catalyzing change, sharing knowledge, and strengthening partnerships for a water secure world. Further information on EMWIS website

36- Improving transparency in water services in EU: 'Performance of Water Utilities beyond Compliance' is a report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) prepared in cooperation with  European water associations, which collectively represent approximately 70,000 utilities providing water for around 400 million  people. The data used in the report represents the water using habits of approximately 50 million people. The report comes shortly after a commitment from the European Commission to improve the transparency and accountability of water service providers by giving citizens access to comparable data on the key economic, technical and quality performance indicators. The commitment is a response to a European Citizen's Initiative, where more than one million citizens signed a petition demanding a 'right to water'. Further information on EMWIS website

37- The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has published a report, titled 'Model Provisions on Transboundary Groundwaters,' which seeks to improve transboundary water management in the context of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention). The report is the outcome of meetings by the Core Group on Groundwater, and inputs of the Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment and the Working Group on Integrated Water Resources Management. The Model Provisions on Transboundary Groundwaters were adopted by Parties at the sixth session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP 6) to the UNECE Water Convention. Further information on EMWIS website

38- A new publication by Yoshiaki Tsuzuki on pollutant discharge and water quality. The book is based on the lecture note of a lecture on water quality and urbanisation, which I have conducted in Japan for the training course on water environment monitoring for professionals from developing and middle-income counties of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2008-2012. Further information on EMWIS website

39- Translating the Human Right to Water and Sanitation into Public Policy Reform.(2014). Meier BM, Kayser GL, Kestenbaum JG, Amjad UQ, Dalcanale F and Bartram J. Science and Engineering Ethics. doi: 10.1007/s11948-013-9504-x. This research examines interpretations of the human right to water and sanitation in global governance, national policy, and local practice through interviews with informants in international institutions, national governments, and NGOs.  Further information on EMWIS website

40- The 7th issue of the Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative (DASHI) Newsletter is now available. This newsletter provides information on the latest developments of the DASHI project as well as further news relevant to freshwater and hydropower in the larger region. Further information on EMWIS website

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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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41- MED-3R project: Request For international tender No 17/2014. Acquisition, installation and commissioning of equipment for composting household waste for MED-3R project in favour of the municipality of Sfax (Tunisia): ENPI / CBCMED / MED -3R/Sfax/2014. Under MED-3R (Strategic Euro-Mediterranean Platform for Appropriate Waste Management) project in Sfax funded by ENPI/CBCMED program of the European Union, the municipality of Sfax intends to launch a tender for supply, installation and commissioning of equipment for composting household waste in one single batch: "line sorting of household waste and user training". The final deadline for the submission of bids is set for June 16, 2014. Further information on EMWIS website.

42- "LIFE+: European Commission provides €282.6 million for 225 new environment and climate projects": The European Commission has today approved funding for 225 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the European Union's environment fund. The projects selected were submitted by beneficiaries in all 28 Member States and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, climate change, environmental policy and information and communication on environmental issues across the EU. Overall, they represent a total investment of some €589.3 million, of which the EU will provide €282.6 million. The Commission received 1 468 applications in response to its latest call for proposals, which closed in June 2013. Of these, 225 were selected for co-funding through the programme’s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance and LIFE+ Information and Communication. Further information on EMWIS website

43- The European Commission has launched a call for proposals for regional actions under the Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility, aimed at the European Neighbourhood partner countries, east and south. The publication reference of the call for proposal is EuropeAid/135811/DH/ACT/Multi. The overall objective of the call for proposals is to support active and inclusive civil society organisations, which contribute to the social and economic development of partner countries. The specific objective is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations from the European Neighbourhood partner countries allowing them to improve their engagement in policy-making processes and policy dialogue, their role as watchdog and monitoring players, and their representativeness and links with their constituencies. This Call for Proposals is split in three lots, among them Lot 2 for the Southern Neighbourhood countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia), and Lot 3 for the countries of the Neighbourhood region involved in the Maghreb integration process (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya). The overall indicative amount made available under this Call for Proposals is €9,900,000 (Lot 1 – €4.9 million·Lot 2 – €3.5 million·Lot 3 – €1.5 million). Requests for grants under the call must fall between a minimum of €500,000 and a maximum of €1 million. The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 24 nor exceed 48 months. Partnerships must include organisations from at least three eligible countries (EU member states or Neighbourhood partner countries), of which at least two different Neighbourhood countries covered by the lot. This is a restricted call for proposals. In the first instance, only concept notes must be submitted for evaluation. Thereafter, applicants who have been pre-selected will be invited to submit a full application form. The deadline for the submission of Concept Notes is 04 June 2014. Further information on EMWIS website

44- ESA Call for Research Proposals of the Living Planet Fellowship: The European Space Agency (ESA) has just launched the first Call for Research Proposals of the Living Planet Fellowship. This initiative represents the follow-on of the successful Changing Earth Science Network. The main objective of this initiative is to provide support to young researchers who have a doctoral degree and who would like to initiate a scientific career in the context of Earth Observation, Earth science and Climate research. Candidate researchers shall submit research proposals responding to one of following Programmatic Areas: A) Support To Science; B) Scientific Exploitation of the Sentinels; and C) Climate Change Initiative. Closing Date: Your proposal and all supporting documents must be sent by e-mail to: EOScience@esa.int by no later than 30 June 2014 (the Closing Date). Further information on EMWIS website

45- Call for proposals for Free FORMOSAT-2 Satellite Imagery: The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) calls for proposals for free FORMOSAT-2 satellite data. This research announcement provides an opportunity for researchers to carry out advanced researches and applications in their fields of interest using archived and/or newly acquired FORMOSAT-2 satellite images.  Research projects in areas close to the Societal Beneficial Areas of GEO/GEOSS are particularly welcome. Up to ten proposals will be selected by a reviewing committee. Each selected proposal will be granted 10 archived images and/or data acquisition requests free of charge. Proposals that include members of ISPRS Student Consortium will be given higher priority. All requested image acquisition shall be before December 31, 2014. Further information on EMWIS website

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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46- Call for abstracts for the 1st International Conference on Materials for Energy & Environmental Engineering (ICM3E’14): ICM3E’14 (Algiers, 23-25/11/2014) aims at: i) providing better visibility of the new created centre CRTSE through its various activities towards national institutions (R&D, Academic, economic) and abroad; ii) enable research teams to present the status of their work; iii) Identify opportunities for cooperation and exchanges with teams both nationally and abroad and iv) getting closer to the socio-economic sector. Deadline for abstract submission: May 31, 2014. Further information on EMWIS website.

47- Abstract submission open - 2014 RAQRS in Valencia, Spain: The 4th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Quantitative Remote Sensing: RAQRS'IV, 22-26th September 2014. This symposium hosted in Torrent (Valencia)-Spain.  Early Registration: 1 June 2014. Further information on EMWIS website

48- Call for abstracts for the 8th HyMeX Workshop: The programme's 8th workshop will take place from 15 to 18 September 2014 at the University of Malta, Valletta Campus, Malta. Call for abstracts extended deadline: 19 May 2014. The abstracts should be in line with the research objectives of HyMeX on: -the water budget of the Mediterranean Sea, -the continental hydrological cycle and related water resources, -heavy rainfall, flash-floods and floods, -intense sea-atmosphere interactions induced by strong winds, and dense water formation,-societal and economic impacts. Further information on EMWIS website

49- Call for abstracts for the final SCARCE International Conference: "RIVER CONSERVATION UNDER WATER SCARCITY: Integration of water quantity and quality in Iberian Rivers under global change". SCARCE is a multipurpose project that aims to describe and predict the relevance of global change impacts on water availability, water quality and ecosystem services in Mediterranean river basins of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as their impacts on the human society and economy. Hence, the project has assembled a multidisciplinary team of leading scientists in the fields of hydrology, geomorphology, chemistry, ecology, eco-toxicology, economy, engineering and modelling, in an unknown effort in the CONSOLIDER framework. The project also has the active involvement of Water Authorities and other relevant agents as stakeholders. The project has started on 17th December 2009 and will last 5 years. Abstracts (in English) for oral (max. 4 pages) and poster presentations (1 page) should be submitted to the Secretariat before July 31st, 2014. Further information on EMWIS website.

50- Call for papers for the “International Conference on Water, Informatics, Sustainability and Environment: iWISE 2014”: You are invited to submit proposals for the “International Conference on Water, Informatics, Sustainability and Environment: iWISE 2014” which will be held on August 26 - 28, 2014 at Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau-Ottawa Canada. iWISE2014 has Prof. Farouk El-Baz as the honorary Chairman of the Conference. Prof. El-Baz is the Director of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University and the principal Investigator of the Earth Observations and Photography Experiment on NASA's Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). Deadline for Abstract Submission: June 26, 2014. Further information on EMWIS website.

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TRAINING
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51- Registration is now open for an 8-week online certificate program in Integrated and Adaptive Water Resources Planning, Management & Governance offered by the Department of Bioresource Engineering at McGill University. The course takes a holistic look at water resources management with a specific focus on integrated water resources management (IWRM) and adaptive water management. It is designed specifically for professionals who want to upgrade their skills in water management concepts and practices, and aims to provide tools and training for watershed planning techniques, adaptive management strategies, capacity building approaches, water governance, and water risk assessment to strengthen IWRM capacities globally. Participants with diverse disciplinary backgrounds (e.g., geography, engineering, social sciences, business, etc.) are welcomed and encouraged to apply. Sponsorship is also available for eligible applicants from the Global Water Partnership. Further information on EMWIS website.

[2014/05/18 - 2014/05/19] Recent developments of Water Desalination Membranes, Cairo, Egypt
Further information on EMWIS website.

[2014/05/19 - 2014/05/23] Summer Water Academy: Communicating Science on the Water- Energy- Food Nexus: Bridging the Link between Science & Policy, Bonn, Germany

Further information on EMWIS website

[2014/06/12 - 2014/06/12] Collection and treatment of biowaste: experiences feedback (OIEAU), Paris, France

Further information on EMWIS website

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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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PROJECTS (Projects database)
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WATER PROJECTS DATABASE (MEDA-NIPs, MEDA-Water, LIFE, SMAP, INCO-MED, FP4-FP7, H2020, UfM, ENPI South, ENPI CBC Med, INTERREG, etc.)

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