Conclusion of the Regional Consultation Process
and Final Event of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT project
23-24 March 2026
Rome & Online (Hybrid)
Venue and logistics to be announced
Draft Concept Note & Agenda
REGISTER HERE
Digitalization for natural resources management refers to the strategic adoption and integration of conventional and innovative digital policies and technologies in sectoral and cross-sectoral domains that contribute to sustainable development objectives. Digital solutions can provide substantial benefits to the management of interconnected systems of Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) in a Nexus approach in the Source to Sea Continuum. Digital transformation for introducing such solutions at all levels involves, among others, leveraging advanced digital tools, data analytics, innovative technologies and related governance and managerial approaches to optimize the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of related resources.
A regional consultation process is ongoing since 2024, aiming to promote digital transformation for advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean, particularly under evolving climate change impacts. After conceiving contents of the consultation and establishing the core cooperation team (February 2024/Tunis), the process included so far two Regional Roundtables (Lisbon/June 2024 and Malta/February 2025) and a Webinar (June 2025), while more events have contributed to further shaping its contents. A second Webinar is scheduled for 5 March 2026; more info will be soon announced.
The consultation includes the identification of related Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). Based on these, recommendations are shaped for promoting digital transformation as a contribution to the ‘WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Mediterranean Source to Sea continuum’ and its upcoming Action Framework that would be elaborated within 2026. The Strategy is part of the MSSD (2026-2035) flagship initiative which was adopted at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) of the Barcelona Convention (2-5 December 2025, Cairo). The Strategy was also adopted by the 15th Meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Platform on Water (5-6 November 2025, Barcelona) in view of the 2nd UfM Ministerial Conference on Water (24-25 March 2026, Rome).
This science-driven consultation has engaged regional and national decision makers, stakeholders and practitioners in a Living Lab approach. It is facilitated by the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT, TALANOA-WATER (completed at the end 2025) and H2020 TRANSCEND projects, in service of and with the support of UfM, and other institutional partners. The process is also supported by the WEFE Nexus Community of Practice in the Mediterranean that is facilitated by the PRIMA WEFE4Med project. On contents, the process aligns with and benefits by the UfM Strategic Framework Report on ‘Digital Transformation of Water Sector: Strategic Planning and Capacity Development’. The process also contributes to the WEFE Nexus preparations for the 6th Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum, 29 September – 2 October 2026, Rome, organised by IME and OneWater.
The Rome Regional Workshop
The final Regional Roundtable of the regional consultation on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean will take place on 23-24 March 2026, in Rome and online (Hybrid), co-organised by the synergizing PRIMA and H2020 projects, UfM and One Water-Italy (tbc). The Roundtable will also serve as the Final Event of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT Project, providing the opportunity to present and discuss its final results, as well as progress and results of other related projects, like TALANOA Water.
The draft top-line agenda, includes the following sessions; all time indicated are in Central European Time (CET):
Monday, 23 March 2026
|
10.30-11.00 |
Registrations and Welcome Coffee |
|
11.00-11.30 |
Opening Remarks & Purpose of the Regional Roundtable |
|
11.30-13.30 |
Presentation of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT results, including Q/A 11.30 – 12.00: General presentation of the project 12.00 – 12.45: The real-time platform at farm scale for irrigation scheduling 12.45 – 13.30: The real-time platform at basin scale |
|
13.30-14.30 |
Lunch Break |
|
14.30-16.15 |
Presentation of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT results, including Q/A (cont.) 14.30 – 15.30: The DST - general framework and methodology, and main results from the 4 project Pilots 15.30 – 16.15: Interventions by ACQUAOUNT invited stakeholders |
|
16.15-16.45 |
Coffee Break |
|
16.45-18.00 |
Presentations from related projects: TALANOA, Transcend, PRIMA WEFE4Med |
|
20.00 |
Get together Dinner |
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
|
09.00-09.30 |
Regional Consultation Process on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean: presentation and Q/A |
|
09.30-11.00 |
SWOT Analysis on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean: presentation and panel discussion |
|
11.00-11.30 |
Coffee Break |
|
11.30-13.30 |
Presentation of experiences and lessons learned in related fields by projects and stakeholders |
|
13.30-14.30 |
Lunch Break |
|
14.30-16.00 |
Policy Recommendations on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean: presentation and panel discussion |
|
16.00-16.30 |
Coffee Break |
|
16.30-17.15 |
Brainstorming on Next Steps |
|
17.15-17.30 |
Conclusions |
Kindly REGISTER HERE for the Regional Roundtable.
For more information, please contact:
- Marta Debolini, CMCC, Project Coordinator, PRIMA ACQUAOUNT Project (marta.debolini@cmcc.it)
- Simone Mereu, CMCC and CNR, Project Coordinator, PRIMA ACQUAOUNT Project (simone.mereu@cmcc.it)
- Matteo Funaro, CMCC, Project Manager, Prima ACQUAOUNT Project (matteo.funaro@cmcc.it)
- Vangelis Constantianos, GWP-Med Executive Secretary & Regional Coordinator, (vangelis@gwpmed.org), PRIMA ACQUAOUNT Project Partner
- Dionisio Perez-Blanco, Institute IMdea Water, (dionisio.perez@imdea.org)
For practical arrangements, please contact:
- Ms. Zoe Karka, Administration and Communications Officer, GWP-Med, (zoe@gwpmed.org), cell/whatsapp: +306948827450
Looking forward to your engagement
The Regional Roundtable Organisers