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SIRENA

Streamlining Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient and Sustainable Water Management in the Mediterranean Region
2026 01 / 06

to

2029 31 / 05
Climate Change
Nature-based Solutions
2.724.901,25 €
PRIMA
Present in 7 countries
Egypt
France
Greece
Italy
Morocco
Spain
Tunisia

The Mediterranean region is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable areas. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, flash floods, water scarcity, pollution and biodiversity loss are placing growing pressure on water resources, ecosystems and local communities. These challenges threaten the long-term sustainability of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus and require innovative, integrated and scalable solutions.

In this context, the SIRENA project aims to accelerate the adoption and upscaling of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to improve water resilience and climate adaptation across the Mediterranean region. The project contributes to the objectives of the European Water Resilience Strategy and the EU Adaptation Strategy by promoting sustainable water management approaches that restore natural water cycles, strengthen ecosystem services and support local communities in managing water-related risks.

Streamlining Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient and Sustainable Water Management in the Mediterranean Region

Background

The Mediterranean region is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable areas. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, flash floods, water scarcity, pollution and biodiversity loss are placing growing pressure on water resources, ecosystems and local communities. These challenges threaten the long-term sustainability of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus and require innovative, integrated and scalable solutions.

In this context, the SIRENA project aims to accelerate the adoption and upscaling of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to improve water resilience and climate adaptation across the Mediterranean region. The project contributes to the objectives of the European Water Resilience Strategy and the EU Adaptation Strategy by promoting sustainable water management approaches that restore natural water cycles, strengthen ecosystem services and support local communities in managing water-related risks.

Objectives

SIRENA seeks to demonstrate how Nature-Based Solutions can become a mainstream component of water management policies and practices throughout the Mediterranean.

The project will:

  • Improve water quality and water availability through innovative Nature-Based Solutions.
  • Enhance resilience to droughts, floods, pollution and biodiversity loss.
  • Promote community participation through co-creation processes and stakeholder engagement.
  • Develop digital tools to support water management and climate adaptation planning.
  • Strengthen governance frameworks and policy integration for Nature-Based Solutions.
  • Foster knowledge sharing and capacity building across Mediterranean countries.
  • Develop innovative business models that support the long-term adoption of Nature-Based Solutions.

The SIRENA Approach

SIRENA is structured around four complementary pillars:

Nature-Based and scalable systems for water resilience
Implementation and validation of Nature-Based Solutions addressing water scarcity, floods, pollution and ecosystem degradation.

Strengthening local capacities for participatory water management
Co-creation processes, Living Labs, stakeholder engagement activities and capacity-building programmes.

Policy frameworks for NBS uptake and Nature-Positive Economy
Development of governance frameworks, policy recommendations and financing mechanisms supporting NBS adoption.

Digital tools for adaptive water planning
Creation of digital platforms, monitoring systems, AI-supported modelling tools and decision-support systems to facilitate evidence-based water management.

pillars

Demonstration Areas

The project will establish three WaterMED Hubs, each connecting an Origin Lab (OL) and an Implementation Lab (IL), allowing successful solutions to be transferred and adapted across Mediterranean contexts.

WaterMED Hub 1

  • Mykonos (Greece)
  • Tunis (Tunisia)

WaterMED Hub 2

  • Bologna (Italy)
  • Fès-Meknès Region (Morocco)

WaterMED Hub 3

  • Osona, Catalonia (Spain)
  • Hurghada (Egypt)

These demonstration sites address key challenges such as droughts, flash floods, wastewater reuse, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.

map

Expected Results

SIRENA will deliver:

  • A Mediterranean Water Resilience Framework (MWRF).
  • A Mediterranean Water Resilience Atlas (MWR Atlas).
  • A portfolio of adaptable and replicable Nature-Based Solutions.
  • A digital platform and decision-support toolset.
  • Policy recommendations and governance frameworks.
  • Capacity-building methodologies and training programmes.
  • A Mediterranean Community of Practice dedicated to Nature-Based Solutions.
  • Business models and exploitation strategies supporting long-term sustainability and replication.

Role of SEMIDE

SEMIDE plays a key role in SIRENA by leading activities related to:

  • Policy and governance analysis.
  • Development of the Mediterranean Green Policy Inventory.
  • Design of the Mediterranean Green Governance Framework.
  • Capacity-building methodologies and stakeholder engagement.
  • Establishment of the SIRENA Community of Practice.
  • Business modelling, exploitation strategies and upscaling pathways for Nature-Based Solutions.

Project Information

Project Acronym: SIRENA

Full Title: Streamlining Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient and Sustainable Water Management in the Mediterranean Region

Keywords: Nature-Based Solutions, Water Management, Climate Adaptation, Water Resilience, Governance, Co-creation, Digital Innovation, Mediterranean Region.

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