Mediterranean WEFE Nexus Community of Practice launched

The Mediterranean WEFE Nexus Community of Practice (NCoP) was officially launched at a landmark event held at the Golden Bay Hotel in Larnaca, Cyprus.

Hosted by The Cyprus Institute, this launch marks a significant milestone in advancing cross-sector collaboration for integrated resource management across the Mediterranean region, a relevant press release notes.

According to the same press release, the WEFE NCoP brings together scientists, policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders from various sectors to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and address the critical interconnections between water, energy, food, and ecosystems. Part of the WEFE4MED project funded through PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), the initiative aims to scale successful models and create sustainable solutions to the region's most pressing challenges.

Nearly two years of preparatory work by the WEFE4MED project, including surveys, interviews, and workshops, laid the groundwork for the NCoP launch. This process identified key needs and opportunities, establishing a framework for fostering synergies across the Mediterranean. It also identified a shortlist of Demonstrators with high potential for impactful Nexus practices.

Event Highlights

The event brought together 112 participants from 20 countries, including academia, research organizations as well as public and private sector representatives, both in person and online. Distinguished speakers included Mrs. Antonia Theodosiou, Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Elisabetta Balzi (European Commission DG Research and Innovation), Dr. Jann Martinsohn (European Commission Joint Research Center) and Dr. Angelo Riccaboni, Chair of the PRIMA Foundation.

Discussions and presentations focused on the learning priorities of the WEFE NCoP, decided during the WEFE4MED co-design workshop (Nov2023, Sitges, Spain): Policy, Implementation and Finance. The Policy Practice Group examined how policies can promote WEFE solutions, while the Implementation Practice Group showcased 12 demonstration projects, highlighting innovative strategies for sustainable resource use. Meanwhile, the Finance Practice Group explored funding mechanisms to support WEFE initiatives and ensure sustainability across the Mediterranean.

An engaging aspect was the World Café session, where participants provided valuable feedback and discussed how the WEFE NCoP can refine its services to better serve members and stakeholders. This session generated insights that will shape the community's future direction.

The event concluded with the signing of the WEFE NCoP Charter’s Chapeau, establishing a shared vision and mission and guiding principles for collaboration. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to innovations, policy alignment and dissemination of best practices. Through partnerships, knowledge exchange and its network of demonstration sites acting as living laboratories, the CoP aims to drive sustainable solutions across sectors and regions.

A Collaborative Future for Sustainable Development

During the event, PRIMA, the European Commission, and the Union for the Mediterranean expressed their strong support for the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to providing strategic leadership to expand the outreach and application of nexus-based solutions across the Mediterranean region. It was fully recognised that the WEFE NCoP is a dynamically expanding network with the potential to scale successful resource management models, foster a ripple effect of positive change and help to bridge the science-to-practice gap.

Call to Action

The WEFE NCoP invites all stakeholders, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, practitioners, and organizations working on WEFE solutions, to join this collaborative effort. Whether you are developing or implementing WEFE Nexus demonstrations through national programs, international donors, or other funding sources, your participation is key.

"Join us in shaping the future of sustainable development by engaging in critical conversations and co-creating strategies that will benefit the entire region and contribute to global sustainability efforts," the announcement invites.

For more information or to join the WEFE NCoP, please visit the project’s Knowledge Hub or contact i.antoniades@cyi.ac.cy.