1st Coaching Activity: Farming Practices Session 1 & 2

The NATMed recently kicked off its 1st Coaching Activity with a two-part session dedicated to Farming Practices, offering practical, science-based guidance to improve water management and soil health in Mediterranean agriculture.

The third co-design session of Case Study 1 took place on 11 February 2025 at the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery, Water and Rural Development, in Seville. The main objectives of the sessions were:

• Evaluate the efficiency of the NbS implemented in the NATMed CS1 project, identifying challenges and lessons learned and their potential for scalability and replication.

• Promote knowledge exchange between different actors and stakeholders, technologies and good practices in water management in different contexts.

• Facilitate interaction among attendees to collectively address the challenges and opportunities associated with water management and NbS.

Organized by our Turkish partners and the Bozcaada Municipality, a seminar was recently held on December 2024, at the Public Education Center, led by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Kurucu and Prof. Dr. Tolga Esetlili from Ege University.

The event featured two tailored presentations: one for adults and another designed specifically for primary and secondary school students. Both sessions were met with great enthusiasm and interest.

The municipality was well-represented, with Deputy Mayor Gülay Elbir Uslu, Mustafa Kırlı, Hülya Koloğlu, and Bilgütay Ergül in attendance, highlighting their commitment to community engagement and education.

NATMEd PRIMA Project Showcased at CONAMA2024 in Madrid

On December 2, 2024, our partners CARTIF and NBSCLIMATE represented the NATMEd PRIMA Project at the National Environmental Congress (CONAMA2024) in Madrid.

CONAMA (Fundación Conama) is Spain’s leading sustainability and environmental event, bringing together experts, organizations, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions to today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

During the congress, CARTIF delivered an oral presentation outlining NATMEd’s objectives and progress in advancing sustainable water management through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).

Additionally, a poster presentation featuring Case Study 1 – Carrión de los Céspedes provided attendees with insights into the practical application of NbS in enhancing water resilience in Mediterranean ecosystems.

The event offered a valuable platform to showcase NATMed’s achievements, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaborations for a more sustainable future.

On December 4th, the Dipartimento di Agraria at the University of Sassari hosted a specialized training course on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and IUCN procedures for tackling environmental challenges.

Case Study Highlight: Arborea and the implementation of a Forested Infiltration Area to mitigate groundwater nitrate contamination.

As part of the course, 20 students participated in a field visit, gaining firsthand experience on how the NATMEd Project applies nature-based solutions to real-world environmental issues. This hands-on approach allowed them to bridge classroom learning with practical application in the field. Innovation, nature, and learning coming together for a more sustainable future.

Using the IUCN Global Standard for NbS in NATMed Project

One of the NATMed project’s key goals is to set up a series of Full Water Cycle Nature-based Solutions (FWC-NbS) to improve water management and address challenges like water scarcity, climate change, and soil degradation. To ensure these solutions are effective and sustainable, we are applying the IUCN Global Standard for NbS in all five case studies. This standard provides a holistic framework to evaluate the impact of NbS and refine its implementation.

The IUCN Global Standard for NbS is a comprehensive tool for guiding the design, implementation, and evaluation of NbS projects. It ensures that interventions effectively address identified challenges while benefiting nature and people. The standard helps extract best practices, identify areas for improvement, and generate recommendations that can be shared and scaled up and is built on 8 key criteria.

NATMed & The 3-Co-De-s Webinar – Exploring Nature-Based Solution!

Three PRIMA Program projects, OurMED, NATMed, and SALAM-MED, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, joined together to host the 3 Co-De-s Webinar, which took place on 16 October 2024 at 10 am (CEST time), via Zoom. The collaboration between the 3 Prima projects resulted in the creation of a Working Group named: “Sustainable water management in the Mediterranean region (SUSTAIN-MED)”.

This online event, which involved seven speakers discussing different aspects related to water management, brought together over 30 participants and featured contributions from six EU-funded projects. The webinar focused on how Co-Design, Co-Demonstration, and Co-Decision serve as three powerful approaches necessary for achieving sustainable water management in the Mediterranean region. Participants explored practical solutions and co-created strategies aimed at ensuring sustainable use of water resources across key sectors — from agriculture and domestic use to ecosystems.

Valuable insights were also shared by three other completed PRIMA projects —INTEL-IRRIS, InTheMED, and REXES, extended the discussions on how to build stronger frameworks for stakeholder cooperation and long-term impact through knowledge co-creation and participatory approaches.

Water management challenges brought by climate change in the five case studies

One of the objectives of the NATMed Prima Project is to address the water management challenges brought by climate change in the five case study areas. These challenges include both common issues across the Mediterranean region and specific challenges based on local conditions.

According to the State of the Environment and Development in the Mediterranean (SoED), the region faces eight major threats, including climate change, air pollution, reliance on fossil fuels, and high population densities in coastal areas. However, ensuring water security remains one of the most urgent challenges for sustainable development in the Mediterranean region. (Source: NBSCLIMATE, NATMed Project Partner).

NextGen4MED is an exciting initiative born within the SUSTAIN-MED working group, a collaborative effort uniting three PRIMA projects: OurMED, NATMed, and SALAM-MED.

This platform aims to build a vibrant network of young researchers, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration across diverse fields of study to tackle the pressing challenges of sustainable water management in the Mediterranean hotspot.

Open to all researchers under 40, regardless of their affiliation, NextGen4MED invites passionate minds to contribute their expertise and innovation to shape the future of water sustainability. Together, we will organize impactful events, drive cutting-edge research, and create opportunities for growth and development.

EXPLORE NATMED CASE STUDIES

Advancing Water Reuse in Agriculture through Nature-based Solutions

In the NATMed Prima Project’s Carrión de los Céspedes case study (CS1), we continue implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to enhance water reuse in agricultural areas and mitigate the effects of droughts and water scarcity.

What have we achieved so far?

Monitoring 10 artificial wetlands, analyzing them individually to determine the most effective combination that meets both EU Regulation (2020/741) and the newly approved Spanish Royal Decree 1085/2024 for irrigation.

Evaluating plant species in floating gardens to determine those more resistant to high temperatures and water scarcity. The selected species have been replanted to improve the system’s resilience and sustainability.

Implementing ultra sound technology in the storage pond and tank to reduce algae growth and improve water quality, including E. coli removal.

Ongoing monitoring of water quality and quantity, soil health, and biodiversity to assess the impact of these solutions on ecosystem services.

Engaging key stakeholders from across the quintuple helix: Academia, Civil Society, Government, Industry, and the Natural Environment.

This progress is made possible through the collaboration of our partners CENTA - AMAYA, Social Climate, NBSCLIMATE, and CARTIF.🍃

High-resolution aerial survey of Lake Chimaditida, Greece

Our partner, University of Western Macedonia (UoWM), recently conducted a drone survey of Lake Chimaditida, one of the five cases studies in the NATMed Prima Project. The drone, equipped with a high-resolution camera, covered an impressive area of 400,000 square meters. This mission aimed to monitor aquatic vegetation, particularly common reed (Phragmites australis), and track its changes over time.

Using a carefully planned flight path, the drone ensured comprehensive area coverage. The collected data was processed with advanced photogrammetry and Geographic Information System (GIS) software to create a highly detailed 2D ortho map of the lake.

This map provides superior clarity to satellite imagery, making it a powerful tool for studying vegetation patterns.

These digital maps will enable in-depth analysis of environmental changes and trends. Such insights are vital for assessing the ecological health of Lake Chimaditida and surrounding reedbeds, ensuring informed and sustainable management of this valuable ecosystem.

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