In a continuous effort to strengthen living lab communities around the Mediterranean region, the OurMED team in Turkey recently undertook a significant trip to Konya. The main objective of this visit was to establish and consolidate the living lab community in the region, a crucial step towards achieving sustainable and collaborative solutions for local challenges.

The 5th edition of the Mediterranean Water Forum, held in Tunisia from February 05 to 07, 2024, focused on the theme "Together for shared water sobriety." The forum aimed to bring together key stakeholders in the Mediterranean water community to address pressing issues. It sought to provide innovative solutions to evolving water needs and serve as a platform for showcasing replicable solutions to emerging global water problems. 

In pursuit of sustainable solutions to water challenges, the Higher School of Engineers of Medjez Elbeb organized a living lab workshop on February 14, 2024, as part of the OurMED project. This event convened stakeholders identified during preparatory interviews, comprising 51 participants representing various sectors, including farmers, administrative bodies (CRDA, ONAS, SONEDE), municipal representatives, agricultural service companies, and ODESYPANO: the Northwest Sylvopastoral Development Office.

The study visit organized by SEMIDE in collaboration with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory and Tour du Valat on January 23-24 brought together partners and stakeholders of the Restore NAW project from Morocco and Tunisia. The aim was to exchange experiences and share best practices in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for the protection and restoration of wetland ecosystems, as well as for better adaptation to climate change.

Discussions focused on proven techniques and approaches used in various monitoring, conservation, and restoration actions in wetland environments. These initiatives were conducted by Tour du Valat and SEMIDE, along with their partners, in the Camargue region and other areas across the Mediterranean basin.

As part of this visit, a dedicated session was held for the OurMED project, during which OurMED’s French partners SEMIDE and Tour du Valat presented various project activities around the Mediterranean basin.

Our recent monthly project meeting was an electric affair, brimming with exciting progress and a shared commitment to the vision of OurMED. Partners shone brightly as they presented their impressive strides, showcasing the robust collaborative ethos driving our initiative's success.

A pivotal decision emerged during the meeting: to fortify connections with other Prima projects. In this spirit, we opened our doors to coordinators from diverse initiatives, heralding an exchange of innovative ideas and a mutual growth opportunity for all involved.

This paper explores the realm of enhanced hydrological monitoring, emphasizing the pivotal role of image-based techniques in deciphering water-related processes amid our rapidly changing world. The paper delves into the challenges and opportunities associated with image-based hydrological monitoring, stressing the critical need for innovative approaches to overcome current limitations. It showcases how this monitoring method significantly improves data collection, enhances analysis accuracy, and supports informed decision-making in a timely manner.

You can download the pdf articles here. 

EarthArXiv website.