Every year, World Water Day draws the world’s attention to key global water issues. World Water Day 2017 focuses on Water and Wastewater. Wastewater can be a valuable resource in the circular economy and an efficient investment in the health of humans and ecosystems.
The MENA region is the most water scarce region in the world, with 15 countries in the region suffering from extreme water scarcity (less than 500 m³/year of renewable water per capita per year). Numerous phenomena are further worsening water security in the region, notably climate change and environmental factors, population growth, increased urbanization, ongoing water mismanagement and faulty water service provision systems.
Wastewater is an important means to reverse this downward spiral, and can contribute to viable regional mitigation and adaptation measures in order to increase water security in the Mediterranean. It has an important role to play in agriculture, urban green spaces, domestic water use (e.g. sanitation) and landscape restoration, amongst others. However, negative perceptions related to wastewater limit its safe use. Better understanding how and where it can be used safely is an important step in making wastewater socially acceptable.
About The Contest
Youth has an important role to play in working towards water security and increased water awareness. Young people are involved in innovative water-related projects and research around the Mediterranean, and are key in securing a more sustainable water future in the region.
For all of these reasons, the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) is organizing a youth-focused Mediterranean event entitled “Youth Innovating with Wastewater for a Sustainable Mediterranean”, on March 21-22 2017 in Marseille, France. The aim of this event is to focus on wastewater as an important means for combating water scarcity in the Mediterranean region.
In the run-up to this event, the “Mediterranean Water Heroes” youth contest will offer young water activists from around the Mediterranean the opportunity to showcase their innovative work on wastewater and the circular economy.
The Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI), in collaboration with its Water Hub partners (AFD, GIZ, EIB, CIHEAM, World Bank, Plan Bleu), organizes this contest.
Who can participate?
- Networking: Sponsored registration at the Stockholm Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden (August 27-September 1, 2017);
- Connecting with international experts: Key speaking role during the CMI “Youth Innovating with Wastewater for a Sustainable Mediterranean” World Water Day event in Marseille, France (March 21-22, 2017);
- Visibility: Showcasing of your work on the Center for Mediterranean Integration and partners’ websites;
- Video: Featuring your work in a CMI video on wastewater reuse in the Mediterranean;
- Mentoring: Peer-to-peer mentoring with other Mediterranean water activists and experts.
To learn more about contest rules and eligibility click here, and to apply fill out the online application form here. The submission deadline is February 25, 11:59 pm CET time, 2017.
How to Apply?
Applications will be submitted through this page in either English or Arabic. For applicants facing difficulties in filling out the forms in English or Arabic, we can offer limited language support for other Mediterranean languages. E-mail us at: mkarner1@worldbank.org with the subject line: “Language support – youth contest”. Only completed applications will be taken into consideration.
