The “Water and Environment Support – Biodiversity and Climate Action (WES-BCA) in the Southern Neighbourhood region” project presented 27 national and regional activities during the first Steering Committee Meeting (SCM), held on May 26, 2025, in Brussels.
The WES-BCA work plan was discussed among WES-BCA experts, the 16 Focal Points of the Environment and Water Ministries of the 8 Partner Countries (PCs) — Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia — as well as representatives from European Delegations, institutional partners (the Union for the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Convention), and various other stakeholders.
The work plan includes, among other things, training courses, study visits, workshops, consultations, and large-scale awareness campaigns to be carried out in the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean. Many of the activities are related to plastic pollution, the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus, biodiversity, and water scarcity.
The action plan will be implemented through two complementary components. The first focuses on five topics: pollution prevention, reduction of plastic pollution and marine litter, promotion of the WEFE Nexus approach (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems), improved water efficiency at all levels of management and use, and actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, including water scarcity and biodiversity protection.
The second component aims to raise awareness and improve understanding among the general public, encouraging the adoption of appropriate behaviors and attitudes for effective climate action and enhanced environmental protection.
In summary, the WES-BCA project aims to improve environmental protection, restore biodiversity, manage scarce water resources, and strengthen climate resilience in the Mediterranean region.
The project will run until November 2027, with a budget of €7,000,000.