Med4WASTE: Mediterranean Dialogue for Waste Management Governance
Recent research highlights the worrying environmental effects of current production and consumption patterns in the Mediterranean Sea Basin, further accelerated by climate change impacts exerted by land-use (urbanization, agricultural intensification), pollution and declining biodiversity. In such context, Med4Waste project aims to facilitate new governance models for integrated and efficient urban waste management policies across the Mediterranean strategy. The project lays on a strong and experienced partnership composed by 7 organisations from 6 Mediterranean countries and reinforced by 3 pools of associated partners and supporters from the whole basin. Moreover, it encompasses up to 8 activities oriented at building skills, planning and decision-making capabilities for Mediterranean institutions from public and private sector, and based on the most successful practices previously implemented in the region. Consequently, decision policy-makers will find a platform to promote better governance in the sustainable use of resources and management of waste, moving towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production at Mediterranean level, whilst developing joint and common policy responses.
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) supports the development and implementation of this project within the 2030 GreenerMed Agenda. UfM provides regular policy and technical advice and facilitates the integration, coordination and upscaling of the main project activities and outcomes within the relevant UfM Policy Frameworks and beyond, maximising the dissemination of results among UfM countries and stakeholders at Euro-Mediterranean level.
Aim Of The Project
Med4Waste aims to build on and improve existing knowledge, to foster the capitalization of innovative, integrated and effective social practices of the public, private and social sectors in waste management, with a particular focus on waste prevention, circular economy practices and the organic component.
Guidance and training to public administrations and relevant private and social actors will be provided, to implement transfer actions and to facilitate new governance models for integrated and efficient urban waste management policies across the Mediterranean.
This project will capitalize on the results of projects already implemented under the ENI CBC MED 2014-2020 program and other EU instruments.
Activities
- Building on and improving existing knowledge, to foster capitalisation of socially innovative, integrated and efficient practices from public, private and social sectors in waste management across the Mediterranean region, with special focus on waste prevention and circular economy approaches.
- Offering guidance and training for public administrations and relevant private and social stakeholders, to apply transferring actions and exploitation measures and to support planning, adapting and re-addressing of waste management plans, policies and other management actions and normative drivers (regulations, financial plans, service contracts).
- Supporting dissemination of key results and increasing awareness among key stakeholders, promoting cross-border and cross-sectorial networking, and fostering long-term commitment of decision and policy makers to promote an environmental, socio-economic and institutional transition towards green growth.
Expected Results
- Mapped Mediterranean case studies, practices, experiences and technologies in waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, waste disposal and separation of waste at source to reach higher efficiency in organic waste sorting, compost and combusting for energy recovery (bioenergy and materials).
- Increased awareness of multiple stakeholders on the importance of waste management and circular economy approaches that have resulted in real improvements.
- Enhanced capacities of key stakeholders to transfer the identified most relevant waste management practices.
- Developed integrated municipal solid waste management plans, aligned to the regulatory/legislative framework of each country.
- Mainstreaming of project recommendations for integrated waste management plans with a more effectively engaged private sector.
- Fostering of green employment in the Mediterranean and enhanced markets for recyclables.
- Direct contribution to the implementation of the “2030GreenerMed” Agenda of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Parternship
Fundació Universitària Balmes (Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya) (Spain)
MedCities Association (Spain)
Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (Greece)
Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises (Tunisia)
Environment and Sustainable Development Unit, American University of Beirut (Lebanon)
EDAMA – Association for Energy, Water and Environment (Jordan)
COSPE – Cooperation for the development of Emerging Countries (Italy)
The Med4Waste Catalogue - Leading Waste Management Best Practices
The Catalogue highlights the remarkable achievements and challenges encountered by four capitalized projects: CEOMED, MED-InA, REUSEMED, and CLIMA. We encourage you look into the Catalogue to gain valuable insights that can pave the way to successful replication and risk avoidance.
Med4WASTE Catalogue_ESDU's version_English.pdf
Med4WASTE Catalogue_ESDU's version_French.pdf
Med4WASTE Catalogue_ESDU's version_Arabic.pdf
"ECObuilder" The Innovative Med4Waste Game for Sustainable Change
The catalogue and the game are more than just tools; they are catalysts for learning, ideation, and practical application. They empower participants to think innovatively, anticipate potential obstacles, and design effective strategies to transform waste management into a sustainable and efficient sector. You can access the PC version of the game by clicking on the link below:
Game:
https://med4waste-game.web.app/