EU funds sustainable water management in Tunisia

An EU-funded project for sustainable water management in Mediterranean tourist areas has officially been launched in Tunisia, aiming to improve cooperation on urban water management between both shores of the Mediterranean. 

TourMedEau project (Sustainable water management in the Mediterranean tourist areas) is fundedby the European Commission in the framework of the CIUDAD Programme, and was officially launched on 18 July 2010.

A press release said the project, to be implemented by an international partnership of Tunisian, Moroccan and Italian partners, will help promote dialogue and cooperation between local governments of both shores of the Mediterranean in order to improve environmental sustainability in urban areas through a more efficient public management of water services.

The study and design of a wastewater treatment plant and water works for its reuse in agriculture and tourism will allow the exchange of experiences and expertise on wastewater treatment among Mediterranean countries, leading to the dissemination of the best techniques.

The total value of the initiative amounts to €506,177 of which 80% is financed by the European Union.

CIUDAD runs from 2009 to 2012 and co-finances 21 local grant projects in the Neighbourhood's South and East. The projects reflect the overall objective of the programme, in particular:

• Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
• Sustainable Economic development and reduction of social disparities and
• Good governance and sustainable urban development planning.

Projects range from bringing together cities in Armenia and Tunisia to ensure greater access to sports and leisure facilities, to preserving 1920-30s avant-garde architectural heritage in Kyiv and Moscow, to promoting sustainable water management in Mediterranean tourist areas in Tunisia and Morocco. A series of fact sheets outlines the details of all 21.