And Final Event of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT project
23-24 March 2026
A.Roma Hotel (Giorgio Zoega 59, Rome)
Online (Hybrid):
https://centropilota-it.zoom.us/j/82543257259?pwd=3bU25Yf1A16MasTh2zAa5dG4EbmybA.1
Meeting ID: 825 4325 7259
Passcode: 825256
1. Digital Transformation for WEFE Nexus in the Med Source to Sea Continuum
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 (S2S) 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.
Digital transformation is not just a technological upgrade. It is a strategic imperative for creating more sustainable, resilient, and interconnected responses to sectorial challenges in a holistic WEFE Nexus approach applied in the spatial components of the Mediterranean S2S continuum. Embracing integrated digital solutions is essential for overcoming current challenges and preparing for the evolving socio-economic demands of the future, particularly as these are shaped by climate change impacts.
Key components of digital transformation include, but are not limited to, data integration, real time monitoring, analytics and decision support, smart infrastructure, inter-connected platforms, automatization and optimisation, innovative tech ecosystems, etc. Digitalization in a WEFE Nexus in a S2S approach can contribute to integrated and data-driven management for informed decision-making, optimising resource allocation, increasing efficiency in operations, promoting innovation, etc., thus enhancing climate resilience.
2. The Regional Consultation Process
2.1 Purpose of the regional process
A regional consultation process is ongoing since 2024, aiming to promote digital transformation for advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source to Sea Continuum, particularly under evolving climate change impacts.
The objectives of the regional consultation process are to:
- identify related Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT);
- highlight advancements made;
- craft recommendations for promoting digital transformation contributing to the "WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Mediterraqnean Source to Seac Continuum" (aka Strategy) and its Action Framework within the Union for the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Convention (UNEP MAP).
Further, these aim to assist synergizing PRIMA projects to adapt their research agenda towards actionable science on digital transformation aspects towards building resilience to water scarcity and other natural resources management challenges under climate change impacts.
2.2 Policy anchors and key steps of the regional technical process
After conceiving contents of the regional consultation and establishing the core cooperation team ( 5 February 2024/Tunis, held in the margins of the 5th Mediterranean Water Forum), the process included so far two Regional Roundtables ( 5-6 June 2024/Lisbon back to back with the 14th Meeting of the UfM Regional Platform on Water; and, 5-6 February 2025/Malta back to back with the UfM Drafting Group on the UfM Ministerial Declaration on Water) as well as two Webinars organised in synergy with the UfM Water Digitalisation process (30 June 2025 and 1 1 March 2026), while more events have contributed to further shaping its contents.
The Strategy was 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. 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).
An Action Framework for the Strategy would be prepared for consideration within UfM and Barcelona Convention UNEP MAP. The multi-stakeholder regional conference on ‘WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source to Sea Continuum: From Strategy to Action’ (2 2-24 February 2026, Nicosia) shared related experiences and technically elaborated on how to advance with the Action Framework. Four thematic areas have been already identified, and technical processes contribute inputs to the Action Framework through regional consultations. These thematic areas address WEFE Nexus in the Source to Sea Continuum & Governance; Financing,
Desalination; and, Digitalisation (through the current process). Related references on the upcoming Action Framework are made in the Nicosia Accord that was a key outcome of the Nicosia Conference.
2.3. Partnership mobilised
The science-driven WEFE Nexus Digitalisation consultation has engaged regional and national decision makers, stakeholders and practitioners in a Living Lab approach. Mobilising a wide synergy, it contributes to key regional policy processes and anchors on major regional events. In service of and supported by PRIMA and UfM, the regional process is facilitated by the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT, TALANOA-WATER and H2020 TRANSCEND projects, coordinated by the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med), Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change (CMCC) and IMDEA Water Institute.
Contributors to the process are the Malta Energy & Water Agency, One Water Committee Italy, and Institute Méditerranéen de l’Eau (IME). The regional consultation 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 closely synergizes with and benefits by the UfM Strategic Framework Report on ‘Digital Transformation of Water Sector: Strategic Planning and Capacity Development’, supported by Sida. The process contributes to the WEFE Nexus thematic of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum (29 September – 2 October 2026, Rome), organised by OneWater-Committee Italy, IME and UfM.
Partnership of the regional consultation process on Digital Transformation for WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source to Sea Continuum
Among the partners’ contributions, the synergizing PRIMA and H2020 projects are at the forefront of digitalization research and innovation for Water and its interlinkages with other sectors for integrated management, including in a WEFE Nexus approach, creating impact on several demo sites across the region via the development of actionable data, models and technologies, and their adoption through policy co-creation and co-implementation of novel digitalization tools.
Examples of digitalization efforts for advancing integrated approaches in these projects include the incorporation of remote sensing water and land use data into Decision Support Tools; co-creation processes and spaces (including serious games) towards the design of transformational adaptation strategies that mainstream digitalization methods and tools into the Mediterranean and EU policy, including in line with the EU Water Resilience Strategy; implementation of real-time monitoring systems; integrating modelling platforms with IoT technologies to optimize irrigation and water management systems at farm and river basin scale; etc. These innovations are aimed to transcend the demo sites in which they are being implemented, and to be widely replicated across the region.
3. The 3rd Regional Roundtable in Rome
The 3rd 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 (A.Roma Hotel, Giorgio Zoega 59) and online (Hybrid), co-organised by the synergizing PRIMA and H2020 projects, UfM and OneWater-Committee Italy.
The Roundtable will 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 TALANOA Water, Transcend and other projects.
3.1. Objectives and expected outcomes
Making a key step in the consultation, the 3rd Regional Roundtable will:
- inform on the process of WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Med Source to Sea Continuum and the upcoming Action Framework, increasing participants understanding and mobilising them for further contributions.
- present and receive feedback on key finding of the SWOT analysis and suggested policy recommendations on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Source to Sea Continuum, and further suggest lines of action and partnerships, providing solid contributions to the Action Framework.
- present results of PRIMA/H2020 projects and elaborate on how to amplify impact of their results in the emerging regional policy and funding landscape, suggesting ways towards sustainability of achieved results.
- brainstorm on next steps of the regional consultation, defining contributions and suggesting further synergies.
3.2. Target participants
Aimed participants include representatives of governments, science institutes, regional and national stakeholders, practitioners, and regional institutions.
3.3. Agenda [Some speakers to be confirmed]
Following Opening remarks, the first day of the Roundtable (23March) will be mostly devoted to presentation of and discussion on results of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT (concluding at the end of March 2026) as well as of PRIMA TALANOA (concluded at the end of 2025) and H2020 Transcend, as inputs for further action. A facilitated discussion will elaborate on how regional PRIMA/H2020 projects on digitalisation for water and natural resources management would amplify impact of their results in the emerging regional policy and funding landscape.
The second day of the Roundtable (24 March) will advance contents of the regional consultation on WEFE Nexus Digital Transformation. Following setting-the-stage presentations and related discussions, a panel with government representatives and a panel with reginal stakeholders and institutions will provide insights on WEFE Nexus Digitalisation based on experiences and suggest lines of actions for the related thematic of the Strategy’s Action Framework and partners that should be mobilised for these. The day will conclude with a facilitated discussion on next steps of the regional consultation, including by defining needed inputs and possible partnerships.
Time indicated in the agenda is in Rome/Central European Time
|
10.30-11.00 |
Registrations and Welcome Coffee |
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11.00-11.30 |
Opening Remarks & Purpose of the Regional Roundtable Facilitator: Vangelis Constantianos, Regional Coordinator, Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med)
Opening Panel
|
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11.30-13.30 |
Presentation of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT results, including Q/A Facilitator: Marta Debolini, CMCC & Coordinator of PRIMA ACQUAOUNT Project
Presentations and Q/A
- Tunisia: Kameleddine Nagaz, Institut des régions Arides (IRA) - Lebanon: Ihab Jomaa, Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute (LARI) - Jordan: Luna Al Hadidi - Sardinia: Serena Marras, University of Sarrari (UNISS) |
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13.30-14.30 |
Lunch Break |
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14.30-16.15 |
Presentation of the PRIMA ACQUAOUNT results, including Q/A (cont.) Facilitator: Simone Mereu, CMCC & Coordinator of PRIMA ACQUAOUNT Project
Presentations and Q/A
|
|
16.00-16.20 |
Coffee Break |
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16.20-17.00 |
Presentations from synergizing regional projects, including Q/A Facilitator: Guido Rianna, Senior Scientist, CMCC
Presentations and Q/A
- Jaroslav Mysiak, Director of the Research Division 'Risk assessment and adaptation strategies', CMCC (online) -Camilla Luzzolino, Technical Officer, Region Emilia-Romagna, Italy |
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17.00-18.00 |
Amplifying impact of projects’ results in the emerging policy and funding landscape in the Mediterranean Facilitator: Manuel Sapiano, Senior Advisor, GWP-Med
Driving question: How regional PRIMA/H2020 projects on digitalisation for water and natural resources management can amplify impact of their results in the emerging regional policy and funding landscape?
Discussion Panel
Facilitated discussion |
|
20.00 |
Get together Dinner (at hotel) |
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
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09.00-09.45 |
Regional processes on Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus in the Source to Sea (S2S) Continuum Facilitator: Vangelis Constantianos, Regional Coordinator, GWP-Med
Presentations and Q/A
|
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09.45-11.00 |
Digitalisation for natural resources management Facilitator: Khaled Abu Zeid, Regional Director of Technical Projects, Arab Water Council
Presentations and Q/A
|
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11.00-11.15 |
Coffee Break |
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11.15-12.00 |
Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Facilitator: Monia Santini, ICR Director, CMCC
Presentations and Q/A
|
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12.00-13.30 |
Suggested actions on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean as inputs to the Action Framework of the WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Source to Sea Continuum Facilitator: Manuel Sapiano, Senior Advisor, GWP-Med
Driving question: Based on your institution’s/organization’s experience (WHY), which max 2 action lines on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean (WHAT/HOW) you recommend to include in the Action Framework of the WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Source to Sea Continuum, which key partners should be engaged in that (WHO), and what do you suggest to be the role of your entity on these?
Discussion Panel:
Facilitated discussion |
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13.30-14.30 |
Lunch Break |
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14.30-16.00 |
Suggested actions on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean as inputs to the Action Framework of the WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Source to Sea Continuum Facilitator: Alain Meyssonnier, President, IME
Driving question: Based on your institution’s/organization’s experience (WHY), which max 2 action lines on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean (WHAT/HOW) you recommend to include in the Action Framework of the WEFE Nexus Strategy in the Source to Sea Continuum, which key partners should be engaged in that (WHO), and what do you suggest to be the role of your entity on these?
Discussion Panel:
Facilitated discussion |
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16.00-16.15 |
Coffee Break |
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16.15-17.15 |
Brainstorming on Next Steps on Digital Transformation for Advancing WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Facilitators: TBA
Facilitated discussion |
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17.15-17.30 |
Conclusions Panel of organisers |
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17.30 |
Reception (at hotel) |
3.4. Organisation and support
The 3rd Regional Roundtable is co-organised by the synergizing PRIMA and H2020 projects, UfM and OneWater-Committee Italy. The WEFE Nexus Community of Practice in the Mediterranean is mobilised through the PRIMA WEFE4Med Project. The event contributes to the WEFE Nexus thematic of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum.
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: +30 69 51 69 71 42
You can download the Concept Note and Agenda here.