EMWIS Flash N°86, January 2011

EMWIS Flash - January 2011 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector EMWIS is a program of the Union for the Mediterranean. For further information: www.emwis.net Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- It is available in English, French & Arabic. (French & Arabic versions are available few days later)

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In this issue N°86 (www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash86)
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HEADLINE
1- Regional shared water resources database in the Arab Region, Damascus, Syria. (20-21/12/2010)
IN BRIEF

2- Towards a National Water Information System in Turkey, 15 December 2010
3- Union for the Mediterranean: ARLEM local and regional authorities discuss local water management, urban development and territorial dimension
4- The UfM Secretariat and EIB join forces to a concrete cooperation in the Mediterranean
5- Official websiteof the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean
6- EU Committee of the Regions (CoR) seeks input on sustainable water policies
7- Four priorities for the ENPI Regional Indicative Programme South, including: Environment, Water & Energy
8- EC: A new DG for Development and Cooperation: DG DEVCO, grouping DG EuropeAid and DG DEV
9- EU 2011 budget provides 9.3 per cent increase for ENPI programmes
10- Launch of UN-Water Activity Information system (UNW-AIS)
11- The 1st Arab Water Week, 5-9th December, 2010 (Amman)
12- International Seminar on Water, Energy and Environment, 1-3 March 2011 (Algiers)
13- FoEME: "Good Water Neighbors" Annual Regional Conference
14- France: Agreement Signed between ONEMA and the International Office for Water (OIEAU)
15- Spain: New Developments in the Integrated National Water Information System (SIA)
16- Spain: The Government plans to create a water observatory in Baleran islands
17- Spain: Befesa awarded contracts to improve two supply systems
18- Israel: Extreme measures may be considered due to rainfall shortage
19- Egypt: Bank Financing for Irrigation
20- Libya: Italian project includes desalination plant
21- Jordan: US$28-million project for water reuse, environmental conservation in Amman
22- Syria: shared Waters resources
23- The Maghreb Ministerial Council for Water & Irrigation: Action plan for water resources management & developing a Maghreb Water Information System
24- Morocco and France: a fund to support decentralized cooperation
25- Algeria: Foreign companies responsible for water management experienced mixed results
26- Tunisia: New AFD loan for financing access to drinking water and natural resource management
27- Tunisia: Sewerage of Sidi Hassine now operational
28- Integrated water management in coastal areas and climate change in the Mediterranean
29- UNICEF announces 2011 Tap Water Project
30- Satellite data provide a new way to monitor groundwater in agricultural regions
31- Swiss company claims it can create rain
32- Global warming will make Mediterranean less salty

NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS  
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
PROJECTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS

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HEADLINE
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1- The Regional Workshop on National & Arab Water Information System took place in Damascus (Syria) on 20 & 21 December 2010. The meeting organised by COFWS (Centre of Water and Arab Water Security Studies - Arab League) was attended by 40 participants, representing ministries from Arab countries, international organisations, as well as experts and journalists. EMWIS Technical Unit and ADASA Sistemas (Spain) presented the EU experience in terms of water information system with the guidelines for interoperability with WISE, the exemple of SIA (the Spanish Water information system)  and the approach recommanded by EMWIS to set-up National Water Information Systems. In the framework of this workshop, a session chaired by EMWIS was organized on the National Workshop on Syrian water information system (20/12/2010), 7 Syrian ministries took part in it. During this session, the discussions focused on the state of the art of water information/data management in Syria with the participation of the different ministries and water institutions, and more specifically on the main data responsibility/availability/needs for the water sector in Syria, the water data flows between Syrian institutions, the status of information systems in national agencies and finally the legal basis for data exchange and public information. Further information on EMWIS website.

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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- A Technical Workshop has been jointly organised by General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and EMWIS in Ankara (Turkey) last 15 December, with the support of the European Commission. EMWIS has  organised several national workshops in Mediterranean Countries in the framework of the project entitled “Towards a Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism compatible with the Water Information System for Europe (WISE)”. This project is providing tools and guidelines to help countries in setting up their national data system on water in a harmonised way, enabling them to easily report data when necessary and taking the benefits of lessons learned from other Euro-Mediterranean countries. The Turkish water stakeholders have shown strong needs for a better circulation of water information. Turkey already made great progress in information sharing with the Turkish Environmental Information Exchange Network (TEIEN) project. With this experience, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is in good position to launch the development of shared National Water Information System in clause collaboration with DSI that holds most of the water sector data. Further information on EMWIS website.

3- Members of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) meets for a plenary session in Agadir (Morocco) on 29 January to discuss the adoption of three reports prepared in 2010. This meeting will be the first to be held in a southern Mediterranean country since the assembly was set up. This joint assembly, co-chaired by Committee of the Regions' president Mercedes Bresso and by Mohamed Boudra, president of the Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region, supports dialogue and the exchange of expertise on tangible issues between local and regional authorities on both sides of the Mediterranean. The first report is on local water management, the second on urban development and the last on the territorial dimension in the Union for the Mediterranean. The reports will be transmitted to the UfM and its general secretariat. Further information on EMWIS website.

4- Ahmad Masa’deh, former Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and Philippe de Fontaine Vive, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), responsible for FEMIP, signed on 17 January 2011 a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing a close collaboration in the areas of economic, social and sustainable development. The MoU has the aim of implementing a global and regional strategy of development in order to reinforce policy and business networks in Mediterranean and to create a prosperous and sustainable Euro-Mediterranean region by further socio-economic development and private sector investments. The parties agree to collaborate in order to facilitate the financing and implementation of UfM projects identified and chosen by the UfM Secretariat (UfMS) and in accordance with its priorities. More specifically, and upon request from the UfMS, EIB may provide support with regards to the processing of projects in the form of carrying out project analysis in view of their possible funding by financial institutions. The privileged relationship between EIB and the UfMS is also reflected by placing EIB experts within the Secretariat. Further information on EMWIS website.

5- The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) pursues peace and cooperation and aims to transform these ideals into actions in a partnership for progress. The creation of the joint Secretariat contributes to reinforce co-ownership of EU-Mediterranean relations and to achieve visibility through projects. The ultimate success of the initiative also rests in the active involvement of civil society and the private sector. The Secretariat of the UfM launched officially its website. Further information on EMWIS website.

6- Water policy must promote efficient and sustainable management of water resources, local and regional authorities have an important role to play in this context. As part of the "Resource Efficiency" Flagship Initiative of the Europe 2020 strategy, the European Commission will carry out a review of EU water policy by 2012. With this in mind, the Committee of the Regions -CoR- intends to adopt an outlook opinion on "The role of regional and local authorities in promoting a sustainable water policy" at its plenary session in June this year. Nichi Vendola (IT/PES), President of the Region of Puglia, member of the CoR Environment Commission and the political coordinator of the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, will take on the role of rapporteur for this opinion. Against this background, the CoR's Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform has launched a survey on Sustainable Water Policy with a deadline of 4 March 2011 for submissions. The answers will contribute to preparations for the CoR opinion and will also feed into the second CoR Monitoring Report on Europe 2020 which is scheduled for publication in December this year (2011). Further information on EMWIS website.

7- Some €288 million has been allocated by the European Commission under the Euro-med Partnership 2011-2013 to regional integration, investment and regulatory convergence, sustainable development and cultural dialogue. The four priority areas defined in the ENPI Regional Indicative Programme (2011-2013) to benefit are: Common regional institutions, confidence building measures and media development (16%); Regional integration, investment, regulatory convergence (including approximately 30% of the total regional allocation for the FEMIP) (43%); Sustainable development (15%), including: Environment and Water, Energy; and Social inclusion and cultural dialogue (14%). 12% of the total amount has been assigned as Global Allocation, constituting the necessary funds to cover expenditure associated with the preparation, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluation activities directly necessary for the implementation of the Regional and National Indicative Programmes and for the achievement of its objectives. Further information on EMWIS website.

8- The European Commission can now speak with one voice on development and cooperation issues, the new Directorate-General, DG DEVCO formally began its work, and will be responsible for designing European development policy and delivering aid throughout the world. DG DEVCO brings together two former Directorates General: DG Development and DG EuropeAid. Having one address for development policy and implementation will provide a single contact point for stakeholders both inside and outside the EU, a press release said. DG DEVCO will also be the single interlocutor for the European External Action Service (EEAS), and for all sectoral DGs. The press release added that the new Directorate-General would reinforce the ability of the EU to design state-of-the-art development policy for all developing countries, and enhance policy coherence for development while further improving implementation and delivery mechanisms. It will also define the future development policy drawing from the objectives of the EU's Green Paper on development policy and contribute to global challenges ahead. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- The 2011 EU budget, which was now formally adopted by the European Parliament, provides more funding for core European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) programmes. Some €2.6 billion will be made available through the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), with €1.8 billion available through the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). This represents an increase of 9.3% from the 2010 ENPI budget. During the final plenary session of the year in Strasbourg, MEPs also managed to secure additional funding worth €2.5 million for the Baltic Sea Strategy. An extra €100 million has also been allocated to Palestine and the peace process. The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) is the main financial mechanism through which assistance is given to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Partner Countries, as well as Russia. It is the cooperation instrument, managed by EuropeAid, through which decisions taken on a political level are turned into actions on the ground. Further information on EMWIS website.

10- The UN-Water Activity Information system (UNW-AIS) is now online. Through this system you can search and find activities, projects, programme etc. of UN-Water agencies according to certain criteria. More specifically, the UN-Water Activity Information System (UNWAIS) developed by the UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development (UNW-DPC) in consultation with UNECE and UNESCO as well as the UN-Water communications manager, is an online tool for managing, representing, analyzing and querying as well as disseminating information on existing water-related programmes, projects and activities carried out by UN-Water members, partners and associated programmes. The UN-Water AIS provides a "common point of entry" to UN agencies' activities on transboundary waters for countries, donors, academia and any other interested member of the public. Currently, the UNWAIS contains information on UN-Water members' and partners' activities regarding transboundary waters which were collected in 2009-2010 during the Mapping Exercise of the UN-Water Thematic Priority Area on Transboundary Waters, co-coordinated by UNECE and UNESCO. Further information on EMWIS website.

11- The Arab Countries Water Utilities Association “ACWUA” hosted the 1st Arab Water Week entitled: “Cost Recovery at Water and Wastewater Utilities: Achievement, Challenges and Solutions" in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Amman from 5-9 December 2010. The Arab Ministerial Council for Water had approved in its session held on the 2nd of July, 2010 - holding the Arab Water Week under the umbrella of the Arab League. ACWUA had since been working to make this event the first of its kind in the Arab region, and to define it as a bi-annually recurring conference.  About 350 Arab and international specialists and experts in the water sector have participated in the conference, in addition to expert speakers in the conference sessions coming from international organizations. The conference was sponsored by several international organizations such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the German Agency for Development (GTZ), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Berlinwasser International, IFAT – the world’s leading trade fair for water, sewage and waste management, and the German Water Partnership. Further information on EMWIS website.

12- The First International Seminar in Water, Energy and Environment ‘ISWEE01’’ will take place in Algiers (Algeria) on 1-3 March 2011, with a focus on the following topics: Water (Water scarcity in MENA region, Desalination technologies, Pre-treatment and post-treatment, Brine disposal and removal of specific compounds, Brackish water desalination, Recent developments in desalination, Membranes for water treatment, Water for irrigation, Capacity building strategy, Desalination projects in Algeria), Energy (Desalination and renewable energy sources, Nuclear desalination, etc.) and Environment (Impact of desalination on the environment, Desertification in MENA region, Soil salinisation and erosion, Groundwater pollution, Climate Change, etc.). Desalination technologies have been identified as one of the possible solutions to meet the future demands with regard to water supply and sanitation, in another hand membranes are increasingly becoming an important component in integrated treatment schemes for advanced water treatment. Water, energy and environment are the issues of this millennium. This international seminar will be devoted to advances towards providing fresh water for all, at affordable cost and at economical energy requirements with controlled environmental impact. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) divided up its annual "Good Water Neighbors" regional conference this year, holding one for the Jordan River / Dead Sea communities entitled "One Basin – Conflicting Visions" in Amman Jordan, on November 2nd -3rd; and one for the Mt. and Coastal Aquifer communities, entitled "A Water Agreement Cannot Wait", in Jerusalem, on Nov. 30th. The conference in Amman included 150 Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian mayors, municipal representatives, community residents as well as water experts from all the countries to discuss the different development plans being undertaken for the Jordan River / Dead Sea Basin. A new Model Water Agreement was presented to participants. The cross border municipal experience of our Good Water Neighbors communities was highlighted in this event, with discussions and examples given of the difficulties in dealing with the present Joint Water Committee, and calling for a new structure / institution to be created. Further information on EMWIS website.

14- On December 17, 2010, Patrick Lavarde, CEO of the French National Agency for Water and Aquatic Environments (ONEMA) and Pierre Roussel, President of the International Office for Water (OIEAU) have signed a multi-year agreement to strengthen the dissemination of technical knowledge on water and aquatic environments, to organize the administration repository of data, to promote exchanges between water stakeholders and enhance data. This three years agreement includes annual program starting for the year 2011 with a budget of 2.9 million euros. Further information on EMWIS website.

15- Responding to the dynamic and innovative spirit that characterizes the project of the Spanish Integrated Water Information System (SIA), a serie of improvements have been recently launched. They are intended to provide the ultimate user access to all information related to the water in Spain. First, there has been a change regarding the location of the system. The new addresses are available on the website of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs. Second,  the system architecture: the ArcGIS Server map server was replaces by the ArcIMS, and the Tomcat application server has replaced SAP WAS server used in the previous version. Third, An update has been made regarding the the wealth of information offered by the system, specifically, information from major sources such as the National Statistics Institute (INE), the Spanish Geographic Mineral Institute (IGME) and the Centre for Research and Experimentation of Public Works (CEDEX), among others. The last of the novelties offered by the new Water Information System is the direct access to all system applications through geographical Viewer, by adding a menu in the upper right corner that links directly with the Digital Water Paper, the Indicators System and the Top of the SIA. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- The Spanish Government proposes to create a technical reference center that acts as a Balearic observatory for water and responsible for coordinating the publication of statistics, reports and studies as well as providing forums for citizen participation to achieve more sustainable consumption of this resource. This was reflected in the document "Balear Strategy for Communication Sustainable Water Management" which was drawn up by the Ministry of Environment through the Directorate General of Water Resources and with the collaboration of many experts. The guide marks several objectives to be achieved in a first phase that goes from 2010 to 2015, such as reducing demand for water for urban use and industrial 10% in each case, and is about 15% for agricultural uses , livestock and golf. It also seeks to improve the status of groundwater, reducing pollution and the ecological status of wetlands and coastal water bodies. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- Befesa Agua, a subsidiary of Befesa Medio Ambiente, an international technology company that specialises in generating and managing water through the design, construction and operation of infrastructures in the integral water cycle, has been awarded two new water supply projects in Spain worth a combined €13 million. Egmasa (Empresa Pública de Gestión Medioambiental, S.A.), which is part of the regional ministry of the environment of Andalusia, has awarded Befesa the works to improve the upstream supply for El Cerrillo – Parque de Los Villares in Cordoba, worth around €6.0 million. The objective of the works is to strengthen and guarantee the supply of drinking water to Los Villares and to Cerro Muriano, using the resources of Cordoba’s municipal supply. The works will consists of constructing a pumping station, with a capacity to raise 140 litres per second to 360 mWC (metres of water column), a 7,000 cubic metre tank, as well as two sections of ductile iron pipes stretching more than 10 kilometres, which will connect the tank to the supply network for Cerro Muriano. The company will also construct a domestic supply network to supply drinking water to the various facilities of the park. The work to be carried out will mainly consist of the construction of a water capture system for the Bárcena reservoir, a pumping station in Bembibre and a regulation tank. It will also include the construction of some 22 kilometres of pipelines and improvements to the drinking water treatment stations in Bembibre and Congosto. Befesa Medio Ambiente (BMA) is an international company that provides solutions for managing and recycling industrial waste and for water generation and management, with a strong emphasis on social responsibility to help create a sustainable world. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- Israeli Water Authority has been considering a change in water prices such that the average user would pay less and the wasteful one more. Water Authority head Prof. Uri Shani clarified this month that extreme measures to conserve water would only be considered if less than 70% of the average amount of rain fell this winter. So far, less than a third of average rainfall has fallen. Current forecasts say that by winter’s end, about 60-70% of average rainfall rates will have fallen. The Water Authority is also preparing solutions in the event rainfall is significantly less. Shani issued his clarification in response to various claims in the press. He clarified that prohibitions on watering grass and gardens would be considered, but that the drought levy would not return. At the same time, the Water Authority has been considering a change in water prices such that the average user would pay less and the wasteful one more. As such, the average price of water would remain the same. A change in price would be done in conjunction with all the relevant agencies and only after a lengthy public hearing process, the authority added. The emergency plan would generate another 200 million cubic meters a year by 2014, mainly through increased desalination, more wells and cleaning up polluted wells. Further information on EMWIS website.

19- The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved two new loans for Egypt in support of two projects: Farm-level Irrigation Modernization Project ($ 100 million) and additional financing for the Egypt National Railways Restructuring Project ($ 330 million). Agriculture remains vital in Egypt employing 30% of the country’s workforce and supporting 55% of the population even as agriculture’s share of GDP falls in a diversifying economy. The project underpins the Government of Egypt’s (GoE) Strategy of Sustainable Agricultural Development 2030, in the first phase of a longer-term national program to modernize irrigation on 5 million feddans (a feddan equals about 0.42 hectare). The project aims to increase agricultural profitability and improve access to higher-quality water for around 140,000 small-scale farmers on 200,000 feddans in the command areas of Mahmoudia, Manaifa and Meet Yazid, located in the Nile Delta. Further information on EMWIS website.

20- Italian energy company Eni announced on 19 December 2010 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding for development of a social project in El Agheil, Libya, including construction of a desalination plant. The project includes a significant investment by Eni for the construction of 1,000 residential units with associated infrastructure service and a naval port, as well as the construction of industrial works, including a water desalination plant. Eni will be part of the steering committee and control with the Libyan government, which in turn will drive the implementation of the works. The memorandum outlines the undisclosed terms for construction of a shipping port and related infrastructure, a water desalination plant and 1,000 houses in an area near the Gulf of Sidra. Eni is one of the most-active foreign companies operating in Libya.  Further information on EMWIS website.

21- AECOM Technology Corporation, a leading provider of professional technical and management support services for government and commercial clients around the world, announced that it has been selected for a task order under the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Global Architecture Engineering Infrastructure Indefinite Quantity Contract. The US$28-million, five-year task order pertains to USAID's Water Reuse and Environmental Conservation Project based in Amman, Jordan. Under the agreement, AECOM will work with USAID to increase industrial wastewater reuse, reduce energy consumption, improve regulatory enforcement, expand knowledge sharing, and reduce industrial pollution in the region. Further information on EMWIS website.

22- In the modern Middle East, Syria’s position is unique in that it has a stake in three of the region’s four largest transboundary rivers. These consist of the Euphrates, which rises in the mountains of eastern Turkey, flows through Syria and joins the Tigris in Iraq to form the Shatt Al-Arab before emptying into the Arabian Gulf; the Asi-Orontes River, which springs north of Baalbek in Lebanon, flows through Syria into Turkey before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea; and the Jordan River which originates in Syria and Lebanon and flows to the Dead Sea and includes the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers, as well as Israeli-occupied Lake Tiberias and the water resources on the Golan Heights. In 1999, the last year for which figures are available, the Euphrates-Tigris and Asi-Orontes basins accounted for 50 and 20 percent of Syria’s water withdrawal respectively, making their management of vital interest to the country. A number of agreements have been struck with Syria’s neighbours to manage the country’s numerous transboundary river systems. To the north, in 1987 Turkey agreed to guarantee Syria a minimum flow of the Euphrates of 500m3 per second, amounting to some 15.75km3 of water per year, until a final water sharing agreement is signed. Two years later Syria and Iraq struck a deal, with 58 percent of the Euphrates’s waters going to Iraq and 42 percent going to Syria. To the south, Syria and Jordan agreed to build the Unity Dam on the Yarmouk River in 1987. Under the agreement, Syria’s share of the water from the 100m m3 dam is 6m m3 when it is filled to capacity. The quota decreases proportionately in accordance with the volume of storage. Since the dam was finished, however, disputes over water have continued, generally involving Jordan accusing Syria of not allowing enough water to flow into the country. Another round of protests from Jordan early last year resulted in both countries agreeing to install devices to measure the quantity of water in the river. In 1994, Syria and Lebanon reached a water sharing agreement regarding the Asi-Orontes River. Under the deal, Lebanon receives 80m m3 of water per year if the river’s flow inside Lebanon is 400m m3 or more. Further information on EMWIS website.

23- The preparatory meeting of the Maghreb Ministerial Council for Water and Irrigation took place on 7 December 2010 in Tunis with the participation of experts from the Maghreb. The Council's work focused on several issues, including monitoring the implementation of the recommendations agreed in the last Council, held in Nouakchott in January 2007, the evaluation results of workshops held in the Maghreb with relation to water and irrigation, and the establishment of programs for this area. The proceedings of this meeting (7-9 December 2010) were crowned by the signing of a convention on the future strategy decided by the board in the water sector and to develop prospective studies on water resources medium and long terms. This strategy aims to develop an action plan in the Maghreb water sector (water saving irrigation and drinking water), to establish a water information system for the Maghreb and intensify cooperation in the region, especially for what concerns the use of unconventional resources. The plan also aims to intensify cooperation on the use of non-conventional water resources, and preparation of plans for the Maghreb in the field of water saving irrigation and drinking water. This strategy also aims to harmonize efforts in the Maghreb area, before the holding in 2012, of the World Water Forum in Marseille (France). Further information on EMWIS website.

24- Local governments provide much in the relations between France and its Mediterranean partners. Antoine Joly, Delegate to the external action of local authorities at the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, signed December 9, 2010 an agreement to provide financial support for decentralized cooperation between France and Morocco with the creation of a support fund. The French government will provide 1.2 million Euros and the Moroccan government will provide 1 million Euros, with the financing of two thematic projects: support for local governance and development of cooperation between French and Moroccan regions. Further information on EMWIS website.

25- Foreign companies in Algeria, responsible for managing the water supply (DWS) in the four major cities are experiencing mixed fortunes. According to a statement made by the Minister of Water Resources, Abdelmalek Sellal, broadcast on National Radio 5 January 2011, a marked improvement is seen in Algiers where the 24 hours a day water supply increased from 8% in 2006 over 90% today, thanks to a partnership signed on that date with the French group Suez-Environment. This partnership has also enabled to train Algerian employees in the management of modern networks. In Oran, the situation has improved under the leadership of the Spanish group Agbar Agua, even if users are complaining of higher water bills that have doubled or even tripled. The balance sheet appears, however negative in Constantine where management of the ASP operates in partnership with the Water Company of Marseilles (SEM). The targets were not met, the government has launched a formal notice to the SEM. Idem in Annaba, in which the German operator Gelssen-Wasser was ordered to "take responsibility" and an audit was commissioned by the authorities to assess the situation. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- Financing agreements worth 115 million Euros, nearly 208 million dinars (MTD), were concluded, last December in Tunis, between the French Development Agency (AFD) and Tunisia. A loan agreement worth 40 million Euros was signed in the drinking-water supply sector. Two other subsidies worth 1,85 million Euros would also be granted by the French World Environment Fund (FFEM) regarding natural resources' management. The other subsidy aims to protect the coastal ground water in the region of Gabes which is part of the Union for the Mediterranean project. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- The sanitation project in Tunis West aims, firstly, to meet an urgent need to improve treatment capacity in Greater Tunis and provide sanitation services in the districts of Sidi Hassine and secondly improving the environment, quality of life by avoiding costs associated with sewage. The project is part of the national sanitation program aimed at preserving the ecosystem, improve the quality of life, reduce the risks of uncontrolled disposal of waste water, fight against pollution of soil and sub-soil and protect the water environment. Further information on EMWIS website.

28- The CIRCLE-2 MED sub-network hosted its first Project Outreach Seminar outside Europe. Held at the Scientific Institute of Rabat - University Mohammed V-Agdal in Rabat, Morroco, on the 14th December 2010, the Seminar was dedicated to "Integrated water management in coastal areas and climate change in the Mediterranean: North-South scientific cooperation". Moroccan research teams have been involved in four of the eight CIRCLE-2 MED funded projects (AQUIMED, CLIMWAT, MEDCODYN and WATERKNOW). This seminar intended to showcase and promote the outcomes of these projects by involving researchers and stakeholders in that country. The need for the science-policy dialogue was stressed by all participants who expressed the wish to further develop the links created during these projects. The policy-makers were grateful for this initiative and asked for an early involvement in future projects. Further information on EMWIS website.

29- In its fifth year, the UNICEF Tap Project is set to return during World Water Week, March 20-26, 2011. The award-winning program that started in 300 New York restaurants, has since expanded to become a nationwide movement. Through numerous fundraising and volunteer work, the UNICEF Tap Project celebrates the clean water we enjoy on a daily basis by giving many an opportunity to give water back to the children around the world that need it most. Based on the concept: “When You Take Water Give to The award-winning UNICEF Tap Project, i.e.  restaurants would ask their patrons to donate $1 for the tap water they usually enjoy for free in support of bringing clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world.” During World Water Week, restaurants across the US will encourage their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. In 2010 alone, nearly 1,000 restaurants participated in the national campaign, making it the largest volunteer mobilization effort for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Further information on EMWIS website.

30- When you dive into that salad full of lettuce grown in the American West, there's a good chance you are enjoying the product of irrigation from an underground water source. These hidden groundwater systems are precious resources that need careful management, but regulatory groups have a hard time monitoring them, owing to a lack of accurate data. Now, scientists at Stanford have found a way to cheaply and effectively monitor aquifer levels in agricultural regions using data from satellites that are already in orbit mapping the shape of Earth's surface with millimeter precision. The amount of water in a groundwater system typically grows and shrinks seasonally. Rainfall and melted snow seep down into the system in the cooler months, and farmers pull water out to irrigate their crops in the warmer, drier months. In agricultural regions, groundwater regulators have to monitor aquifer levels carefully to avoid drought.  As the amount of water in an aquifer goes up and down, specialized satellites can detect the movements of the land above the water system and hydrologists can use that information to infer how much water lies below. Previously, accurate elevation data could only be acquired on barren lands such as deserts. Plants -- especially growing crops, whose heights change almost daily -- create "noise" in data collected over time, reducing their quality. Hydrologists and regulatory bodies looking for more data to better understand their groundwater system could one day set policies requiring farmers to leave a patch of land clear for InSAR data collection. Furthermore, the technique could be used in agricultural regions anywhere in the world, even those that lack modern infrastructure such as wells. Further information on EMWIS website.

31- A Swiss corporate has introduced the successful checking out of a new weather control technology, which it claims has created as many as fifty rainstorms within the barren, arid deserts of Abu Dhabi (UAE). The corporate, Zug, Switzerland-based totally Meteo Techniques has invented a gadget that uses large ionizers -- essentially cloth-loose umbrellas on long steel poles. Those generate fields of negatively charged particles that upward push with mud from the desolate tract and advertise cloud formation, the company says, and due to this fact rain. Meteo Systems filed a patent application on February 4, 2010, for the new technology, which it brands Weathertec. The patent app describes "methods and devices for modifying atmospheric conditions, known in this context as weather modification, by enhancing electric forces exerted on and between particles of atmospheric air such as water particles, aerosols, molecular clusters, and water molecules possessing their own electric dipole moment." Reports suggest that this ionizing technology also created hailstorms, which leads Golden to speculate that the researchers involved may be connected to an anti-hail project from the 70s. While the potential to create rain in the desert would be revolutionary, Golden and others stress that without data, there's simply no way to verify the hype. Further information on EMWIS website.

32- The Mediterranean Sea will not become more salty due to the growth of desalination plants that leave salt residue behind, according to an Italian expert who participated in a decade-long census of world marine life. Instead, said Prof. Roberto Danovaro of the Polytechnic University of Marché, the melting of Arctic glaciers due to global warming will make the Mediterranean and oceans less saline. The head of the department of marine science at the Italian university was speaking in Jerusalem on December at a workshop held at the Israel Academy of Science and the Humanities to mark the end of the census, in which 2,700 scientists from 80 countries, including Israel, participated. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
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33- The General Director of the International Office for Water (OIEAU) Jean-François DONZIER has been named "Knight of the Legion of Honor" by decree of French President on December 31, 2010 - Publication in the Official Journal of 1 January 2011. Jean-Francois DONZIER is Engineer of Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry and Agricultural Engineer from the Institut National Agronomique of Paris. He is Director General of the International Office for Water (OIEAU) and Permanent Technical Secretary of the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO). Mr. DONZIER is also Chairman of the Programmes Committee of the Global Water Partnership (GWP). Further information on EMWIS website.

34- The General Director of Water in Lebanon, Dr Fadi Comair George obtained the Ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit) by decree of French President on 11 November 2010, given by the Ambassador of France in Lebanon, Mr Denis Pietton in a special ceremony in Beirut. Dr. Fadi Comair, General Director of Hydraulic and Electric Resources, Ministry of Energy and Water of Lebanon. Mr. Comair is also chairman of the Mediterranean Network of Basin Organizations (MENBO) with 23 years of civil services. Further information on EMWIS website.

35- In a strategic move, Gary Jackson, Executive Director and General Manager of ACWA Emirates, has appointed a well-known figure in the Middle East desalination market, Hany Haddad, as Chief Officer - Business Development and Strategy. Further information on EMWIS website.

36- Final call for nominations for the Stockholm Industry Water Award: The Stockholm Industry Water Award (SIWA) recognizes the business sector's contribution to sustainable water management.  Nominations close 15 February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

37- Post-Doc-Artificial Photosynthetic Systems for Solar Water Splitting in the University of Cambridge (UK) - Department of Chemistry: Applications for a post-doctoral research associate are welcome to work in the group led by Dr Erwin Reisner on the photocatalytic splitting of water using solar energy.   Closing Date: 18 February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

38- University Research Scholarships: University of Leeds (UK) - Faculty of Environment Session 2011/12: The University of Leeds is offering a number of University Research Scholarships for students from the UK and EU.  Closing Date: 25 March 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

39- The call for a new WssTP PCC Leader is still open! The role of the Pilots Co-ordination Committee (PCC) Leader is to coordinate the activities of the European Water Platform (WssTP) working groups and to ensure that the recommendations derive from the Strategic Research Agenda of WssTP  and  the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management. Deadline for applications: February 16, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

40- The International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage (ICID) is inviting nominations for the WatSave Awards 2011 from individuals/ team working in the area of irrigation, drainage and flood management. The deadline for receipt of the entries from the National Committees  is 30 June 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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PUBLICATIONS
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41- EMWIS published last December its newsletter n°7: "EMWIS in the context of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean (from Marseille 1996 to Florence 2010)". This issue is available online in English & French. This newsletter was presented at the occasion of EMWIS Steering & Coordination Committees meetings held in Florence (Italy): 2-3/12/2010. Further information on EMWIS website. See also EMWIS book (available in English & French) and presented at the same occasion.

42- A publication on Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Regional Cooperation is now available in English, French and Arabic from the EU-funded ENPI Info Centre. This publication describes how Regional Cooperation can build bridges between the EU and its Mediterranean Partners through the funding of multi-country programmes and projects that contribute towards creating an area of peace, security and prosperity. Further information on EMWIS website.

43- Final declaration of the Euromed Summit of Economic & Social Councils and similar institutions, Rome 10-12 November 2010:  involvement of civil society in the UfM and more specifically the setting up of an Assembly of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions in the UfM institutional structure. The participants adopted several recommendations, among others on the role and participation of civil society in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) as well as on Mediterranean Water Strategy. Further information on EMWIS website.

44- "Challenges of Developing an EU Strategic Approach to Water Scarcity": The introduction in 2000 of the Water Framework Directive provided the first coherent EU legal tool to address water scarcity and this has been supported by further policy aimed directly at water scarcity. However, there are also many other policy issues which need to be addressed to tackle water scarcity, such as agriculture and domestic water use. Such policies must include investment in innovation, new infrastructure, water saving technology, implementation of full cost recovery for water supply and, not least, strict regulation. The complexity of the policy environment and the complexity of the dynamic social and economic interaction with hydrological systems present a major challenge for addressing water scarcity. This paper, given at the 4th International Conference on Water Scarcity and Arid Environments, describes the challenges of addressing this complex policy landscape. Further information on EMWIS website.

45- The Finnish Institute of International Affairs has published a report titled: "Managing Blue Gold: New Perspectives to Water Security in the Levantine Middle East".  Further information on EMWIS website.

46- The Arab World Initiative (AWI) is a World Bank Group partnership with the countries of the Arab world designed to foster effective cooperation and collaboration in the interests of economic integration and knowledge sharing. This website offers access to the latest data, research, feature stories, briefs, multimedia presentations and project documentation about efforts in the Arab world to find opportunity and advantage in economic integration both across the region and with the wider world. Further information on EMWIS website.

47- Intergroup Water/ Newsletter #1: The 1st newsletter of the Intergroup Water is now available and this issue includes articles on: "Water and agriculture: mutual interests and a joint future", "2012 blueprint to safeguard Europe's water", "For the creation of a 'Water Parliament'", "Innovation and the water sector".The next meeting of the Intergroup Water is scheduled for 8 February 2011 (17h00-18h30). Further information on EMWIS website.

48- The abstract volume of the World Water Week in Stockholm, September 5–11, 2010: "Responding to Global Changes: The Water Quality Challenge – Prevention, Wise Use and Abatement" is now available online. Further information on EMWIS website.

49- EC brochure on "Membrane technologies for water applications": A series of Community research projects administered by the European Commission under the Environment Theme of the RTD Framework Programmes, has investigated and tested new membrane technologies from lab-scale to full-scale for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, as well as for drinking water production by routes including the desalination of seawater and brackish water. This brochure outlines some of the notable successes to date. Further information on EMWIS website.

50- "When access to water becomes a governance issue" by Mohamed Larbi Bouguerra, Darmame Khadija & Moussa Diop: This book is based on two case studies to identify key governance issues raised by water management. TOne of the case studies focuses on water in the city of Amman in Jordan, where this issue never leaves the political landscape, the problem being Kafkaesque: while 97% of the population has access to electricity, water flowing into drains once a week. Further information on EMWIS website.

51- "The water management in the Middle East": This book explains the tensions around the basins and rivers in the Middle East will not lead to armed conflict but in a situation of no war and no peace. The author proposes a model for allocating water resources between residents of a watercourse. In a design goal of new models of water management is a cooperative model proposed here, the draft inter-basin transfer, to address the misallocation of the resource in the Middle East. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- "Reuse of Wastewater in Mediterranean Region, Egyptian Experience": Water scarcity in the Mediterranean region is one of the most seriousissues. A number of reasons are behind this situation, which include, but are not restricted to, the relatively uneven distribution of precipitation, high temperatures,increased demands for irrigation water, and impacts of tourism. Climate change isexpected to aggravate the situation even more. The use of wastewater is one of themost sustainable alternatives to cope with water shortage. The official reuse of agricultural drainage water in irrigation amounted to 4.84 km3/year in 2001. Further information on EMWIS website.

53- The African Development Bank (AfDB) launched during the 3rd Africa Water week two major reports. The “Water sector governance in Africa” report finds that poor governance has been a major reason for the poor record of sustainability of water and sanitation services affecting millions of Africans. The “Guidelines for User Fees and Cost Recovery for urban and rural water and sanitation” touch upon a very critical issue for all water sectorinvestments: how to ensure that water and sanitation services are financially viable, in addition to being environmentally and socially sustainable? Further information on EMWIS website.

54- The “Guidelines for User Fees and Cost Recovery for urban and rural water and sanitation” touch upon a very critical issue for all water sectorinvestments: how to ensure that water and sanitation services are financially viable, in addition to being environmentally and socially sustainable? Further information on EMWIS website.

55- The Section of Hydrological Processes and Climate, Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO IHP has launched a new book series on floods as a contribution to the International Flood Initiative (IFI). Further information on EMWIS website.

56- "Managing water shortages - the problem is people, not climate": A recent study of water shortages around the world over the past two millennia has shown that population growth has been the most significant pressure on water supplies and this will continue to increase as a threat in future. Dealing with water scarcity therefore will increasingly require improved water governance, management and policy measures, which are fully integrated into societal development. Further information on EMWIS website.

57- "Water scarcity and shortage: Footprinting": Water scarcity results when demand exceeds supply. Increases in demand come from increases in population, eating meat and foods that take more water to produce, greater consumption of products that take water to produce, and other factors. Falling supplies can result from pollution, regulations that require more water for the environment, past depletion of "fossil" water resources, and changes in flows resulting from fluctuations in weather or the impacts of climate change. Scarcity leads to shortage when water managers fail to balance supply and demand. In other words, Nature makes a drought, but Man makes a shortage. Further information on EMWIS website.

58- UNEP Releases Africa Water Atlas: This Atlas is a visual account of Africa's endowment and use of water resources, revealed through 224 maps and 104 satellite images as well as some 500 graphics and hundreds of compelling photos. Further information on EMWIS website.

59- Alternatives mix could improve current water supply: Adoption of a mix of water supply, including alternative systems such as desalination and water reuse, may provide a better and more flexible solutions than current systems. This is the conclusion of a study carried out by the Department of Environmental Engineering in the University of Denmark: Increasing urban water self-sufficiency: new era, new challenges in the January 2011 issue of the Journal of Environmental Management. Further information on EMWIS website.

60- The Water Governance Facility published a new Regional Water Intelligence Report, providing updates on the political economy of transboundary water resource issues, management and developments in the Nile basin, assessing different scenarios in relation to the South Sudan independence referendum. The report looks at the socio-economic aspects of water management and highlight the links between water, energy, food and human security from a regional perspective. Further information on EMWIS website.

61- The question of how to integrate water resources management has been carefully studied in the new book entitled ‘‘Integrating Water Resources Management - Interdisciplinary Methodologies and Strategies in Practice" by IWA Publishing. This is the second book originating from the STRIVER project co-ordinated by NIVA and Bioforsk (both Norway). Further information on EMWIS website.

62- "Dynamic climates of Morocco": This work is the reference book for those who care about the climate of Morocco, particularly those responsible for water policy, land use, agriculture, forest ecosystems, tourism, transport, etc.. Detailed data are unique and useful for economic planning. Further information on EMWIS website.

63- Resources, heritage, territory and sustainable développeent, Peter Lang, coll. "Ecopolis", 2010: This book follows the international conference "The problems of sustainable development twenty years later: new theoretical interpretations, methodological innovations, and areas of expansion" (University Lille 1, November 2008). Further information on EMWIS website.

64- Book "Fear and enjoyment of water" under the direction of Bernard Barraqué and Pierre-Alain Roche. Further information on EMWIS website.

65- Under the title "A day on water and culture — Considering cultural dimensions of water and groundwater management: the qanats as an example", UNESCO-IHP and the French Water Academy organized a colloquium on 9 December 2010 at the UNESCO House. The issues range from water fears and enjoyment to the concrete consideration of cultural dimensions of water in local management schemes. Five presentations focused on the use and rehabilitation of qanats or foggara. UNESCO recently completed a successful qanats rehabilitation project in Iraq. Further information on EMWIS website.

66- IWRM-Net Final Conference documentation: The ERANET “IWRM-NET” held its final conference on December 1st-3rd in Brussels. The opening session particularly addressed the different initiatives undertaken by the European Commission to boost research and innovation in the water sector. Further information on EMWIS website.

67- The first in a new series of JMP Technical Task Force reports (Sanitation and Estimating Progress) is now available on the web site of the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. Further information on EMWIS website.

68- Connecting people for better water management - AWARE Newsletter: AWARE’s focus is on human-caused deterioration of coastal water ecosystems. The project engages scientists, policy makers and the public in jointly creating and analysing scenarios for improved water management in coastal areas. This is the most recent issue of the AWARE newsletter, a European-funded FP7 project. Further information on EMWIS website.

69- UNESCO Water Portal Bi-monthly Newsletter No. 243: Water and Financing. Further information on EMWIS website.

70- Twin2Go newsletter nr 3 - Synthesising research for adaptive water governance: The Twin2Go project reviews, consolidates, and synthesises research on integrated water resources management in (transboundary) basins around the world. The aim is to develop policy relevant results on adaptive water governance issues in the context of climate change, and to help make those results transferable to other basins. Further information on EMWIS website.

71- WATER NEWS - Issue n00 - Winter 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

72- The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) has just published its newsletter "Resonances" No. 14. Further information on EMWIS website. (Available only in French)

73- The Institutional Coordination and Streamlining Partners Activities in the Framework of GEWAMED Project has just published its Newsletter n. 18. Further information on EMWIS website.

74- New version of Water Evaluation And Planning system (WEAP) is available now for download. Further information on EMWIS website.

75- The Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate (CPWC) is cleaning up its stock. Most reports and DVDs are still available. You are invited to request them – they will be sent free of charge, worldwide. First-come, first-served! Further information on EMWIS website.

76- Arabic Terminology in the Field of Productivity and Sustainable Development: "Glossary of Shared Water Resources, Technical, Socio-Economical and Legal Terminology (Advanced Copy)"; Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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77- "ENPI-MED CBC: call for strategic projects announced": The Joint Management Authority announced that the call for proposal on strategic projects for Cross-Boarder Cooperation in the Mediterranean will be launched in March 2011. These projects will involve a minimum of four partners representing four different countries, of which at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country. Their budget range from a minimum of € 2 million up to a maximum of € 5 million. Budget announced for this call about € 37 million. Water management will be one of the priority topics with 2 sub-themes: i) Quantity and quality of supply, with a focus on alternative water supplies and wastewater re-use; ii) Efficient use of water resources, with a focus on agricultural use. The following partner countries have signed a Financing Agreement with the European Commission : - Egypt - Israel - Jordan - Lebanon - Palestinian Authority - Syria - Tunisia. These countries are now fully eligible to receive Programme funds. All the Financing Agreements have been countersigned by the Joint Managing Authority. Further information on EMWIS website.

78- ENPI CBC-MED call for proposals on standard projects: Call for proposals on standard projects (one-step open procedure) focusing on the four Programme Priorities.  Indicative launch date: September 2011. Indicative amount allocated: € 33 million. Further information on EMWIS website.

79- LIFE+ 2011 call for proposals: The 2011 call for proposals will be published in Mid-February 2011, with a deadline for submission for the end of Mid-July. Applicants may already begin preparing their proposals on the basis of the 2010 application package, but should be aware that there may be some small changes in the 2011 application package and very possibly a major change in the submission procedure. The European Commission has also scheduled Information Sessions in each EU member state, in the national language, for potential LIFE+ applicants. The Sessions will provide valuable advice and guidance on what national authorities and the Commission expect from project proposals. Potential applicants are advised to attend one of these Sessions, which will take place in February,March or April 2011. The 2010 call (up to €243 million available for co-financing of projects) is now closed, and the proposals received are being evaluated. Further information on EMWIS website.

80- "African Union Research Grants: 2011- Open Call for Proposals": The African Union Commission is seeking proposals for research focusing on the following thematic priorities articulated in Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) and its Lighthouse Projects:  (a) Post-harvest and Agriculture, (b) Renewable and Sustainable Energy, and (c) Water and Sanitation in Africa. The programme is financed through the Financing Agreement between the European Commission and the ACP Group of States under the ACP Research for Sustainable Development Program of the 10^th EDF Intra-ACP Envelop. The First Call for Research Projects and Proposals will be limited to the following science and technology strategic priority actions: Post-harvest and Agriculture; Renewable and Sustainable Energy, and Water and Sanitation. The deadline for submission of proposals is April 30, 2011 at 1700 hours (+3 GMT) Addis Ababa time. Further information on EMWIS website.

81- Awarded Projects from last FP7 ENV Call: The list of awarded projects has been released by the European Commission. Those related to water are: AFROMAISON, EPI-Water, Routes, END-O-SLUDG, CLARA, WASHtec, WAHARA, WHaTeR and two projects to which WssTP was involved, TRUST based on the work of WssTP members, and the new ERANET on Eco-Innovation to which WssTP contributed during their consultation process. Further information on EMWIS website.

82- The European Commission has just launched an online public consultation to gather views on the next financial instrument for the environment, to succeed LIFE+ in the period 2014-2020. Your opinions on its objectives, priorities and support modalities are welcome.This online consultation is one part of a wider public consultation, whose responses will be taken into account in the European Commission's proposal for a new instrument. The consultation is in the form of a series of 19 questions, and you also have the possibility to give your opinions and suggestions. It is open until mid-February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

83- Launch of ACQUEAU Call 3: ACQUEAU, the EUREKA Cluster for Water launched its Call 3 on 13th January 2010. The topics will be: Call 3A “Sustainable Wastewater Treatment” and 3B “Follow-up Call – Membrane Technologies and Real Time System Management.” The deadline to submit a Project Outline is 21st February. Deadline for submission: 21^st February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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84- The World Water Week in Stockholm calls for abstracts and event proposals:  The deadline for abstract submittal is February 15, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

85- The objective of the 6th International Symposium of the European Water Resources Association (EWRA) is to provide an open forum for analyzing the main challenges for an effective water resources management, also able to adapt to climate change impacts. The first section will include papers referring to the implementation of EU Directives in the European member states. The second section will accept conventional academic papers and the third section will be more applied and practical. Deadline: 15 February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

86- Call for papers for the First International Conference on Sustainable watershed management (SuWaMa): The deadline for abstract submission to the "1st International Sustainable Watershed Management (SuWaMa) conference, 19-23/09/2011, Istanbul" has been extended to 31 January 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

87- First Announcement & Call for Papers: "Professional Environmental Education for Sustainable Development: Plugging the Hole" (16–17 November, 2011 - Birzeit University, Palestine). The objective of the Conference is to start to join up the educational gaps between disciplines and organizations, and between all disciplines and the wider goals of sustainability. The conference forms part of an EU funded TEMPUS project and is organized by representatives from the project partners and local water and environmental organisations. Abstract submission deadline is: 10 March, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

88- The  deadline for the  submissions of papers to the international conference "acqua alta 2011", to be held in the CCH- Congress Center Hamburg/Germany from 11-13 October 2011, has been extended to the 15th February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

89- Call for papers for HYDRO 2011 - Practical Solutions for a Sustainable Future: The deadline for submitting an abstract for HYDRO 2011 is 18 February. This conference will take place in Prague (Czech Republic) on 17-19/10/2011. Conference themes include: global needs and challenges, security/safety around dams, synergy with other renewables, financing, environmental and social aspects, system management, project management, sedimentation management, marine energy, and plant life extension. Further information on EMWIS website.

90- Call for applications: "Water Governance: Meeting the Challenges of Global Change". The conference “Water Governance: Meeting the Challenges of Global Change”, may be of interest to you. The objectives of the conference to be held in Austria (5-10 June 2011), are to: establish state of the art on major recent insights and advances in concepts and methodology in analyses of water governance and policy; bridge regional and global scales in multi-level analyses of water governance; and strengthen the emerging community of water governance scholars. Closing date for applications: 21 February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

91- Call for presentations for SCENES Final Conference - "Future Waters for Europe": The future of Europe’s waters is influenced by a set of environmental, social, political and policy drivers, such as global change, population growth, land use change, economic and technological developments. Abstract submission for poster & oral presentations: Before 15 February 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

92- Call for papers for the EAERE 18th Annual Conference: You are invited to submit theoretical and applied papers in all areas of environmental and natural resource economics for presentation at the EAERE's annual conference to be held in Rome, Italy June 29 – July 2, 2011. Deadline for submission of papers is: February 1, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

93- Call for abstracts for the "VI International Symposium: Water Engineering and Management in a Changing Environment": The objective of the 6th International Symposium of the European Water Resources Association -to be held in Catania (Italy) on June 29 / July 2, 2011 - is to provide an open forum for analyzing the main challenges for an effective water resources management, also able to adapt to climate change impacts. Deadline for submission of abstracts: February 15, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

94- Call for papers for TIAC’12 - IV International Conference on Technology Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers / III International Symposium on Coastal Aquifers and Desalination Plants: Deadline for receipt of summary: October 31, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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TRAINING
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95- Days of the International Office for Water (OIEAU) 2011 in France: It aims to shedding light on concrete and practical water topics. They are led by experienced water players that give them career guidance, based on evidence and feedback from field experiences. They are addressed to elected officials and executives of local authorities, associations or offices, distributors of water, industrialists from all over France. Further information on EMWIS website.

96- The European Desalination Society is promoting two sets of courses looking at desalination using renewable energies: The first is an e-learning course is offered over the internet as part of the training activities of the ProDes project, co-financed by the European Commission through the "Intelligent Energy for Europe" programme. This training initiative is addressed to people interested in this field of knowledge: professionals related with water or energy, technical students, major water users, water managers. The five different editions of the course stretch from 1 March to 11 July 2011. The second event is a 3-day course on Desalination with Solar Energy, in Almeria, Spain, on 9-11 May 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

97- Call for applications for a short course 2011: "Water Security for Policy Makers and Practitioners": The course is designed for entry and mid-level water and development policy-makers and professionals in government, donor, NGO or implementing agencies. A number of places will be made available to environmental journalists, consultants and activists wishing to take their knowledge on water resources further. Participants are expected to acquire a wide variety of tools and analytical frameworks from a variety of disciplines. While the focus is on policy, the extensive field and analytical competence of the lecturers ensures that participants benefit from grounded theory and experience. Further information on EMWIS website.

98- Call for Applications - 2011 EAERE-FEEM-VIU European Summer School in Resource and Environmental Economics, July 3-9, Venice, Italy: Deadline for applications: February 1st, 2011. The 2011 Summer School will take place from the 3rd to the 9th of July, at the VIU campus on the Island of San Servolo, in Venice, located just in front of St. Mark’s Square. The theme of this Summer School is Developments in Resource Economics. Further information on EMWIS website.

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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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PROJECTS (Projects database)
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WATER PROJECTS DATABASE (MEDA-NIPs, MEDA-Water, LIFE, SMAP, INCO-MED, FP4-FP7, INTERREG, etc.)

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