About ReWater MENA
In 2018, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and its partners embarked on a 4-year project that will help expand the safe reuse of water in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The project will address barriers to reuse in the region and promote safe reuse practices that improve food safety, health and livelihoods.
In many parts of the world there is not enough water to meet growing demand. One promising solution is the smart use of water that has already been used. Water can be used in cities and reused in agriculture, with benefits for all. Drawing on experience with water reuse strategies already developed in the region, the project will identify promising innovations and validated reuse models, with the aim of resolving past management bottlenecks. These include cultural barriers, institutional fragmentation, inappropriate regulations and lack of financial models for cost recovery. With a focus on Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, the project will facilitate inclusive and participatory engagement with stakeholders, to support the development and uptake of project results.
The project will equip key stakeholders to implement sustainable water reuse models across the MENA region through the following results:
A MENA Water Reuse Sourcebook
A MENA water reuse sourcebook to document lessons from existing innovations, validated and promising reuse models, and past management challenges in and beyond the region.
National strategies for more and safer water reuse in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. Building on current national policies, the project will help countries make the next policy step based on stakeholder demand.
OUTPUT THREE |
Local Water Reuse Plan
Local water reuse plans for six sites in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. These will include conceptual designs and associated implementation plans for feasible water reuse solutions at the selected sites.
OUTPUT FOUR |
Stakeholders’ Capacity for Safe Water Reuse
Stakeholders’ capacity for safe water reuse will be strengthened. Reuse stakeholders will be sensitized, trained, and linked with a network in MENA to speed up the adoption and replication of reuse solutions.
ACWUA As A Partner
With an aim of strengthening the capacity and spread the knowledge in the MENA region, ACWUA will train selected practitioners on reuse technologies, economic models for reuse projects, reuse safety plans, reuse governance, public acceptance and gender integration in reuse interventions. Accordingly, ACWUA adapted the following approach while executing the project: 1. Identification of the training target groups: ACWUA targeted a carefully selected critical mass of reuse professionals in the region. In doing so, right selection of target group from each partner country was required with a special attention for women participation. 2. Assessment of training needs of selected groups and defining training objectives: ACWUA conducted training needs assessment for the identified target groups. An online survey tools was used to collect training needs and analysis for collected data. Based on the survey analysis results, ACWUA formulated training objectives for the targeted groups. 3. Designing training courses and developing targeted training materials: ACWUA developed training materials specialized for wastewater reuse in the MENA Region in both Arabic and English. The following topics were covered during the training courses: reuse technologies, economic models for reuse projects, reuse safety plans, reuse governance, public acceptance and gender integration in reuse interventions. 4. Conducting online training courses to reach out maximum number of beneficiaries: A specialized e-learning admin from ACWUA team will organize and manage the online training courses process delivery. A team of e-tutors is proposed to coach and follow up online training course materials with a group of 300 trainees.
The International Water Management Institute is a non-profit, scientific research organization focusing on the sustainable use of water and land resources in developing countries. Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with regional offices across Asia and Africa, the Institute works with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have a real impact on poverty reduction, food security and ecosystem health.
The Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA) is a global centre of excellence that partners with water supply and wastewater utilities in the Arab Countries on building capacities within the utilities and on instituting best practices in order for the utilities to achieve their objectives.
Sida is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world. Through our work and in cooperation with others, we contribute to implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development (PGU).
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. It believes that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.
The Arab Water Council’s mission is to promote deeper understanding and better management of the water resources in the Arab states in a multi-disciplinary, non-political, professional and scientific manner, and to disseminate knowledge.
LARI is a governmental organization under Minister of Agriculture Supervision. The institute conducts applied and basic scientific research for the development and advancement of the agricultural sector in Lebanon. In addition, the Institute keeps close ties to the farmers and tries to develop research activities aiming at solving their problems. The LARI has at its disposal eight experimental stations.
The Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe is a recognized international Centre of Excellence for environment and development, championing the transition to a resource-efficient future, rooted in Sustainability, Leadership and Innovation.
The Royal Scientific Society is the largest applied research institution, consultancy, and technical support service provider in Jordan and is a regional leader in the fields of science and technology. RSS provides expert testing services via over 38 specialized locally and internationally accredited laboratories and prides itself on offering both the public and private sectors a unique scientific resource and a wide range of project expertise. Supported by more than 500 science specialists, researchers, technical support staff, highly skilled management, and faculty, the RSS has truly become recognized as a local, regional and international research and development hub.
Lisode is a consultancy firm based in Montpellier, France, specialized in designing, animating and evaluating public participation processes, whether in territorial management, natural resources management or management of organisations. They specialise in organising multi-stakeholder dialogue (from end-users to decision-makers) on different levels (from local to national) in pursuit of sustainable and consensual solutions.