The LIFE3 TCY/INT/031 Maghreb wetlands project was a large EC funded project under the DG Environment. It aimed to reinforce the participating countries’ capacity building on a national level, in order for them to be able to implement policies for the conservation and wise use of their wetlands, while taking into consideration the ecological functions of specific sites and promoting a trans-regional cooperation about the use of specific tools and methodologies. The results of the project were positive and some of the outputs are still in place like in the Reghaia Lake in Algeria educational centre built during the project.

This project was an initiative aiming at the resolution of conflicts on the use of a common water resource at local or sub-basin level through stakeholder involvement and dialogue in the MENA region. To a certain extent, the capacity building program had “action–research” characteristics and provided an opportunities to local and national actors to build their capacity for integrated water water resources management. The project was done with the support of InWEnt and GWP.

This project was implemented in close collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSCN) in Jordan. MedWet acted as the mentoring NGO and twinning partnerships were created with the other partners and knowledge was transferred on environmental policy promotion in the framework of collaborating with ministries and local people, involving stakeholders in wetland management, using digital technology, considering socio-economic issues in site management, and operating in the framework of EU policies and directives

MedWet information and knowledge network for the sustainable development of wetland ecosystems. MedWet was the coordinator of this project which was funded by the EU’s Interreg IIIC programme. Project activities took place in France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Estonia, Cyprus and Serbia, with 4 of the project partners being members of the MedWet Scientific and Technical Team. The purpose of this project was the exchange of current knowledge and expertise on methods of inventorying and monitoring wetland ecosystems. One of the main goals was to streamline MedWet Inventory tools in line with new EU regulations, while incorporating Earth Observation technologies and creating an on-line information system for recording wetland data of EU member states.

This project involved three wetland sites in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia and ran from 2004 to 2006. It aimed to reinforce capacity building on a national and local level so that “wise use” of wetlands policies could be implemented. Socio-economic aspects were taken into consideration and were used to involve local stakeholders and improve the income of local communities. Practically, this involved the training of the technical personnel and site managers in the management and monitoring (data collection) of the site. Environmental education centers were established and ecotourism was promoted.