In this framework, GWP-Med has been working with partner officials from both the Ministry at central administration level, as well as the Regional Department for Agriculture in Bizerte, in Tunisia’s North, under its WACDEP Programme (Water, Climate and Development Programme), organising a series of both consultation as well as training workshops for stakeholders.
In specific for the Douimis pilot activity, the 2nd stakeholder consultation workshop was held on October 21st, 2015, in Bizerte, to urge a collective reflection on development visions at basin level. Aiming to boost the engagement of stakeholders initiated at the first consultation workshop held on May 19th, GWP-Med brought together 50 institutional stakeholders.
In addition of raising awareness on the importance to consider climate change impacts in the planning of development actions, the workshop aimed to involve institutions in the design of development axes in the study area, through the initiation of proposals at regional level. The workshop provided an opportunity to put forward a sustainable planning process based on sectoral integration that identifies planned and feasible sectoral activities across the Douimis basin, as well as a partnership approach.
The event included a special panel debate with partner officials from the Regional Department of Agriculture in Bizerte, as well as the Ministry, who were involved in the field mission to the Douimis basin on 8-12 August 2015, after being trained by GWP-Med on integrating climate change in the water and soil conservation planning (4-5 May 2015), and on participatory communication approaches and investigation diagnosis tools (4-6 August 2015). By sharing their experieces and enthousiastically responding in detail to the questions of the participants, they all showcased their level of ownership vis-a-vis the activity.
The need for political support to establish an institutional mechanism for participatory and integrated planning considering climate dimensions has been strongly highlighted, with the Regional Council identified as an entry point to support the current process. Further thematic meetings with civil society will follow.