Cyprus, September 25, 2024 – Today marked the official launch of the WEFE Nexus Community of Practice (CoP), a key initiative aimed at fostering adoption of the interconnected challenges of water, energy, food, and ecosystems in the Mediterranean. This community will play a crucial role in operationalizing the WEFENexus approach by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders across the region.
Since 2019, PRIMA has been at the forefront of launching WEFE Nexus projects to drive innovative solutions to these challenges. The idea for the WEFE Nexus CoP took shape during the WEFE Nexus Science Advances Conference in 2021, where experts, ministers, and key stakeholders recognized the need for a platform that connects practitioners, policymakers, innovators, and academia to tackle the region’s pressing sustainability issues.
Antonella Autino, Project Manager of PRIMA, shared her enthusiasm for the launch:
“The WEFE Nexus Community of Practice is essential for addressing sustainability challenges. By bringing together diverse stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge, we can create innovative, tailored solutions. PRIMA’s demonstration sites will serve as the core of this initiative, acting as living laboratories for the WEFE Nexus approach. Through trust, collaboration, and evidence-based policymaking, we can drive lasting change across the Mediterranean.”
The Community of Practice is steered by a Core Group of leading organizations, including the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation, the Joint Research Centre, and the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat, with leadership from PRIMA. The WEFE4MED PRIMA-supported project will manage the community, fostering engagement, facilitating discussions, and coordinating projects and knowledge-sharing activities. This platform will enable stakeholders to collaborate and promote sustainable, climate-resilient policies throughout the region.
Ali Rhouma, Project Officer for the WEFE Nexus CoP, emphasized the practical impact of the initiative:
“The WEFE4Med project has laid the foundation for this Community by demonstrating the real-world benefits of the WEFE Nexus approach at demonstration sites. These sites act as living laboratories, providing scalable models that can be replicated across the region to drive sustainable solutions.”
To sustain the WEFE Nexus Community of Practice, it is crucial to foster engagement through regular activities, build a dynamic knowledge hub, and encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration. Leveraging digital tools and ensuring financial sustainability through diverse funding models are key strategies, alongside monitoring impact and adapting as needed. Leadership structures and alignment with policies such as the EU Green Deal are essential to guide long-term direction and ensure relevance.
As PRIMA looks to the future, it recognizes the need to unite key players who can address real-world challenges. Over the past year, PRIMA has adopted the WEFE Nexus as a strategic priority, mainstreaming the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus across all topics. This approach will continue shaping PRIMA’s future activities under its FUTURE4PRIMA initiative, which is currently working to identify the next set of research and innovation priorities for the region.
Antonella Autino added:
“Through the FUTURE4PRIMA project, we are actively involving stakeholders in defining the future priorities of PRIMA, ensuring that our efforts remain aligned with the most pressing needs of the Mediterranean. We are thrilled that PRIMA’s projects are part of this Community of Practice, and we hope that many more will join soon. Translating scientific research into evidence-based policies is key to supporting sustainable development across the Mediterranean.”
The launch of the WEFE Nexus Community of Practice marks a major milestone in fostering innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing to tackle the Mediterranean’s most pressing environmental challenges, paving the way for a sustainable and resilient future.
Photo courtesy: Water Arab Council, WEFE4MED partner
