RESCOM

Location: Albania, Algeria, Egypt, Italy, Libye, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey

Duration: 2023-2029

Objectives:

The overall objective is to strengthen the social and environmental resilience of vulnerable natural areas, especially coastal, in the Mediterranean (sea, coasts, forests, small islands and wetlands) in order to meet the related social, economic ad climatic challenges, through the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and a more integrated approach. The project aims to restore and improve the ecological functioning and services provided by various ecosystems, by supporting and involving local stakeholders and riverside populations through advocacy, awareness-raising activities, training and technical or institutional support.

In particular it will:

  • Strengthen capacities across the Mediterranean to conserve and restore natural ecosystems through an integrated ‘multi-ecosystem’ and ‘multi-stakeholder’ approach at regional, national and local levels.
  • Promote the implementation of NbS by developing common initiatives ad programmes within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium (MBC) at various levels. The Consortium aims to overcome silos and revert to more effective cooperation between some of the most experienced conservation organisations working in the Mediterranean.

Actions:

  • Define and implement demonstrative NbS at six pilot sites, in close collaboration with national and local partners involved in site management.
  • Set up and implement a capacity building programme to strengthen the capacities of the project’s site managers and partners on NbS and other conservation and resilience measures
  • Promote the exchange of experience and good practices on the application of the NbS concept within an informal regional Think & Do Tank, leading to the deployment of small-scale projects and advocacy activities on a Mediterranean scale.
  • Advocate at local, regional and global levels for the implementation of NbS and key messages developed by the MBC throughout the project
  • Implement multi-functional and multi-ecosystem NbS on the ground through a call for small projects.

Expected results:

  • Updated ecological assessments and management plans at pilot sites.
  • Local actors, especially managers, academics and institutional partners have gained enhanced capacities and support to prioritise, design and implement NbS.
  • Increased awareness of NbS in the Mediterranean, greater visibility for the MBC’s approach, activities and common messages.
  • Coastal communities, economies and ecosystems are more resilient to climate change thanks to the effective implementation of NbS.
  • Create a community of exchange at the Mediterranean Bassin level on the basis of lessons learnt from the RESCOM project especially at pilot site levels and expand the regional network.

Role of MedWet:

  • Lead of Capacity Building Work Package.
  • Lead of Communications & Advocacy Work Package.

Achievements so far:

 

Funding: 

The French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM),  MAVA Foundation, Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

Partners:
Tour du Valat, IUCN-Med, International Association for Mediterranean Forests (AIFM), PIM Initiative, as foundational members of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium, alongside Conservatoire du Littoral.

Website:
https://www.medconsortium.org/projet-rescom/

MedWet contact:
Isabelle Perroud, perroud@medwet.org