The Mediterranean Centre for Renewable Energies (MEDREC) officially launched the MAENA project on November 26, 2025, at the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, marking a significant step towards securing water resources in the region. With “Water, Our Water” as a guiding principle, the project directly addresses a major Mediterranean concern: building resilience against climate change by restoring the small water cycle in agricultural landscapes.

The launch event, presided over by Prof. Zohra Lili, President of the Institution for Agricultural Research and Higher Education (IRESA), featured key figures including Mr. Fethi Ben Mimoun from the Ministry of Economy and Planning, Mr. Lluigi Gentile, Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Tunisia, Mr. Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Valencia Antenna for the Western Mediterranean – Interreg NEXT MED Programme, and Mr. Marco Polverari, Director of MEDREC and legal representative of MAENA project.

Speakers at the event underscored the Mediterranean region’s commitment to combating climate change and preserving precious water resources. They also emphasized the project’s strategic importance for the entire Mediterranean basin. Partners from Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Italy, Spain, and Malta joined together, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving MAENA.

The launch was followed by a visit to one of the demonstration farms selected by the project in Tunisia, offering a firsthand glimpse into the practical application of MAENA’s restorative agricultural techniques.

MAENA is designed to restore the small water cycle by improving water use efficiency on farms. This will involve demonstrating restorative practices, capacity building, and supporting farmers in adopting these practices.

Follow us for more information on the project’s next steps, activities, groundbreaking results, and upcoming local initiatives as MAENA works to make a tangible difference in the lives of Mediterranean communities.