20 March 2026 | The PRIMA Work Programme 2026, dedicated to research and innovation in water management, farming systems, and the agri-food value chain within the Mediterranean region, has been officially published.

Download the PRIMA Work programme here: https://prima-med.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/C_2026_1799_F1_ANNEX_EN_V2_P2_4681089.pdf

The 2026 programme represents the second Work Programme implemented under the extended PRIMA partnership operating under Horizon Europe rules, following the extension of PRIMA until 2031, in accordance with Decision (EU) 2024/1167.

The programme continues to implement PRIMA’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), supporting innovative solutions for sustainable water management, resilient farming systems, and sustainable agri-food value chains through a Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The calendar below is the reference document for all submission deadlines and takes precedence over the calendar published in the Work Programme. Please refer to the calendar below.

 Please note: The submission deadline has been adjusted this year.

Exceptionally, proposals for both Section 1 and Section 2 must be submitted by 13:00 CET on 15 May, rather than 17:00 CET as in previous years. Please refer to the updated calendar below and plan accordingly.

Download calendar (PDF)

To provide potential applicants with detailed information on funding opportunities and application procedures, an Info Day will be organized on the 26th of March (10.00-13.30CET) to present the 2026 call topics and address any questions.

More information: https://prima-med.org/save-the-date-prima-info-day-2026/

The post The PRIMA Work Programme 2026 has been adopted, access now the final version appeared first on PRIMA.

Every year on March 22, World Water Day reminds us of water’s central role in sustaining life, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

In 2025, PRIMA made a strategic choice. Rather than simply funding incremental improvements to conventional water infrastructure, we placed a deliberate bet on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as the cornerstone of our water management theme under the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus.

Why Nature-Based Solutions?

Nature has been managing water for millennia. Wetlands filter pollutants. Healthy soils absorb and store rainfall. Restored ecosystems regulate floods and recharge aquifers. These solutions don’t just address one problem, they deliver multiple benefits simultaneously: climate resilience, biodiversity restoration, improved food production, and stronger communities.

But despite their proven potential, Nature-Based Solutions have remained trapped at pilot scale. Evidence on their cost-efficiency and socio-cultural impacts has been fragmented. Holistic approaches for upscaling them across entire catchments have been lacking. And critically, there has been insufficient demonstration of how different types of NBS can be combined and integrated to tackle the Mediterranean’s interconnected water challenges, from salinity management and agricultural pollution to extreme weather events and coastal degradation.

PRIMA’s 2025 Call for Proposals on “Upscaling Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Water Management to Address Extreme Events in the Mediterranean” was designed to close these gaps. The call sought projects that would move beyond isolated demonstrations to prove that NBS can be scaled, replicated, financed, and governed effectively across diverse Mediterranean contexts.

Four projects were selected.

Today, on World Water Day 2026, we’re proud to spotlight these four initiatives: FLOW4Med, INVESTWATER, NBS360, and SIRENA.

FLOW4Med: Nature-Based Solutions across the water cycle

The challenge: Water scarcity, pollution, and ecosystem degradation across diverse Mediterranean landscapes
The solution: Context-specific nature-based interventions that restore ecosystems while securing water

Water problems look different everywhere, polluted rivers in Lebanon, degraded farms in Crete, overheated cities in Cairo. FLOW4Med wishes to tackle all three. The project demonstrates how nature-based solutions can be tailored to vastly different contexts: constructed wetlands that turn wastewater into safe irrigation water, regenerative farming techniques that make soil hold more water, and urban green infrastructure that cools cities while recycling greywater. By testing these approaches in real-world conditions across three countries, FLOW4Med proves that ecological restoration and water security can happen together.

Why It Matters: Most water solutions are either high-tech and expensive, or they only work in one specific setting. FLOW4Med shows that working with nature, not against it, can address multiple problems at once: pollution, drought, heat stress, and food production, all while restoring degraded ecosystems.

The expected impact: The project will provide ready-to-use blueprints for nature-based water management that Mediterranean communities, farmers, and cities can adapt to their own conditions. This means cleaner rivers, more resilient farms, cooler cities, and communities that can manage water sustainably even as climate pressures intensify.

FLOW4MED is a Section 1 PRIMA project led by Coordinator Boris Heinz (Technical University of Berlin, Germany).

INVESTWATER: making Nature-Based Solutions trustworthy and scalable

The challenge: Communities hesitate to adopt nature-based water solutions, they don’t know if they’ll work
The solution: Decision-support tools that prove how well these solutions perform before you invest

Nature-based solutions sound good in theory: wetlands that filter water, green infrastructure that captures rain, restored ecosystems that recharge aquifers. But will they actually work in your region, under your climate conditions, with your budget? INVESTWATER answers that question. The project builds digital tools that combine satellite data, climate projections, and physical models to predict how specific nature-based solutions will perform in specific places. Tested across four pilot sites in Cyprus, Portugal, Italy, and Tunisia, these tools don’t just demonstrate what’s possible, they give decision-makers the confidence to scale up what works.

Why It Matters: The biggest barrier to nature-based water management isn’t technology, it’s trust and understanding. Local governments, farmers, and communities need proof that these solutions deliver results before committing resources. Without that proof, even the best innovations stay stuck at pilot scale.

The expected impact: INVESTWATER will provide Mediterranean regions with validated frameworks to choose, finance, and implement nature-based water solutions that fit their specific conditions. This means faster adoption, smarter investment, and water management strategies that actually get deployed, not just demonstrated.

INVESTWATER is a Section 1 PRIMA project led by Coordinator Constantinos Panagiotou (Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, Cyprus)

NBS360: a 360-degree innovation ecosystem that connects science, advanced digital tools, inclusive governance and sustainable financing

The challenge: Isolated pilots prove nature-based solutions work, but they never scale
The solution: A full 360-degree innovation system that connects science, digital tools, governance, and financing

Mediterranean water problems don’t exist in isolation, soil erosion feeds reservoir siltation, droughts alternate with flash floods, inefficient irrigation accelerates salinization. NBS360 tackles this complexity head-on. Across seven demonstration sites, the project will test integrated nature-based solutions that address multiple risks at once, then builds the complete infrastructure needed to scale them: real-time monitoring systems, a Digital Twin that lets communities simulate different scenarios before investing, financing mechanisms like Payments for Ecosystem Services, and participatory governance structures that give local authorities and farmers the tools to make informed decisions. This isn’t just another pilot, it’s the full support system that pilots have been missing.

Why It Matters: We already know nature-based solutions work in controlled settings. The problem is everything that happens after the demonstration: Who pays for long-term maintenance? How do you adapt a solution tested in Cyprus for use in Tunisia? Who makes the decisions, and are communities actually on board? Without answers to these questions, even successful pilots die on the vine.

The expected impact: NBS360 will provide Mediterranean regions with a proven, replicable model for turning nature-based water management from demonstration projects into functioning systems,complete with the digital tools, financial mechanisms, policy frameworks, and community ownership needed to sustain them for decades.

NBS360 is a Section 1 PRIMA project led by Coordinator Evangelos Tziritis(Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos – Dimitra, Elgo, Greece)

SIRENA: from demonstration to deployment at scale

The challenge: Nature-based water solutions remain stuck in pilot mode, and it’s challenging for them to reach full-scale deployment

The solution: Living labs that co-create, test, and scale solutions with communities, backed by digital tools and policy frameworks

Most nature-based solutions never make it past the demonstration phase. SIRENA changes that by building complete innovation ecosystems around six WaterMED Living Labs across the Mediterranean. These aren’t just test sites, they’re collaborative hubs where researchers, communities, policymakers, and practitioners co-design nature-based interventions to tackle droughts, floods, pollution, and biodiversity loss, then develop everything needed to scale them: participatory governance structures, AI-powered scenario modeling platforms, financing mechanisms, and policy recommendations. The project creates the Mediterranean Water Resilience Framework, a comprehensive toolkit integrating real-time environmental data, citizen science, and decision-support dashboards that help stakeholders select, implement, and sustain the right solutions for their specific conditions.

Why It Matters: We don’t lack effective nature-based water solutions, we lack the institutional capacity, governance models, digital infrastructure, and financing pathways to deploy them beyond isolated pilots. Without these enabling conditions, even successful demonstrations fail to achieve systemic change.

The expected impact: SIRENA will provide Mediterranean regions with a proven model for moving nature-based solutions from concept to widespread adoption, complete with the participatory frameworks, digital tools, policy roadmaps, and multi-stakeholder engagement strategies needed to make water resilience a practical reality, not just an aspiration.

SIRENA is a Section 1 PRIMA project led by Coordinator Simos Malamis (National Technical University of Athens, NTUA, Greece)

The post World Water Day 2026: PRIMA’s bet on Nature to Secure Mediterranean Water Futures appeared first on PRIMA.

The following article is a copy of an official announcement from the European Commission. For the original statement and additional details, please visit the European Commission’s official website.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-research-and-innovation-news/eu-and-algeria-conclude-prima-negotiations-2026-03-11_en

11March 2026 | On 11 March 2026, the European Union and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, successfully concluded negotiations on Algeria’s participation for 2025-2027 in PRIMA- the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area.

The agreement was initialled (on-line) by Mr Abderrahmane Yousfate, Director of Cooperation and University Exchanges at the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Ms Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit for International Cooperation at DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission.

The conclusion of these negotiations further strengthens the scientific cooperation between Algeria, the EU, and the 19 other countries participating in PRIMA. It also demonstrates the shared priority both parties place on sustainable development, and prosperity through science and innovation. In addition, this renewed commitment to PRIMA underscores the strategic importance of the initiative in addressing global challenges, particularly in water and food security.

Next steps

The European Commission and Algeria are committed to continue working closely to finalise the next procedural steps required for the agreement to enter into force. 

Once approved, this agreement will allow Algerian entities (such as universities, higher education institutions, research centres, foundations, NGOs and businesses) to fully participate in PRIMA projects in 2025-2027.

Alongside the funding provided by the European Commission to PRIMA, Algeria is expected to contribute EUR 6 million to the Partnership between 2025 and 2027.

Background

Algeria has been involved in PRIMA since its launch in 2018 and has participated in 99 out of 269 PRIMA funded projects supporting sustainable agriculture, integrated water management, food security and the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems nexus (WEFE nexus), with a total funding of EUR 12.4 million, out of which EUR 5.1 million by the EU and EUR 7.3 million by Algeria. Algerian organisations coordinate two projects.  

The post EU and Algeria conclude PRIMA negotiations appeared first on PRIMA.

[IMPORTANT NOTE: The draft PRIMA Annual Work Programme 2026 (AWP 2026 was published on 6March 2026. This draft version was made public before the formal adoption of the Work Programme to provide potential applicants and stakeholders with an overview of the expected priorities and planned actions for the 2026 calls.]

Register now: https://eu01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Og54NBCyQr6zDoLquf32iw#/registration

Whether you’re preparing your first proposal or submitting another one, this event is tailored to guide you through the process and ensure you’re fully equipped to submit a competitive and impactful proposal.

Submitting a proposal for a PRIMA project is an exciting journey, but it can also raise questions or doubts regarding the process, eligibility criteria, and budget preparation.

As the 2026 PRIMA Work Programme is the second under the extended PRIMA partnership, now operating under Horizon Europe rules following PRIMA’s extension until 2031, understanding the new frameworks and expectations is crucial.

Save the Date:

26th March – PRIMA Info Day 2026 (Online)

Join us online for this essential event designed to provide an in-depth overview of the upcoming PRIMA calls and offer answers to all your burning questions. The PRIMA Info Day will provide you with the tools and insights necessary to successfully navigate the 2026 calls and prepare your proposal with confidence.

On the Agenda:

• Overview of the PRIMA Annual Work Plan 2026
  Get a comprehensive insight into the main objectives and priorities for 2026
• Detailed Look at the 2026 Call Topics and Rules of Participation
  Dive deep into the specifics of the call topics, eligibility criteria, and rules of participation. Understand how to tailor your proposal to align with PRIMA’s strategic goals and increase your chances of success.
• KPI Framework and Impact Pathway Monitoring for PRIMA
  Learn directly from PRIMA Project Coordinators and Officers on how to navigate the KPI framework and effectively monitor the impact pathway of your project. These insights will help ensure your proposal’s alignment with PRIMA’s key performance indicators.
• How to Develop a Competitive Proposal? Tips & Tricks and Lessons Learned
  Gain practical insights and tips on crafting a strong, competitive proposal. Learn from past experiences and successful proposals to avoid common pitfalls and enhance your submission.
• How to Create a Competitive Budget
  Budget preparation is critical to a successful proposal. This session will offer key strategies on how to create a realistic and competitive budget that aligns with the PRIMA guidelines.

Register now: https://eu01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Og54NBCyQr6zDoLquf32iw#/registration

The post SAVE THE DATE: PRIMA INFO DAY 2026 appeared first on PRIMA.

The 2026 programme represents the second Work Programme implemented under the extended PRIMA partnership operating under Horizon Europe rules, following the extension of PRIMA until 2031, in accordance with Decision (EU) 2024/1167.

The programme continues to implement PRIMA’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), supporting innovative solutions for sustainable water management, resilient farming systems, and sustainable agri-food value chains through a Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach.

This draft version is made publicly available before the formal adoption of the Work Programme to provide potential applicants and stakeholders with an overview of the expected priorities and planned actions for the 2026 calls.

Only the officially adopted PRIMA Annual Work Programme 2026 will have legal value.

The formal adoption of the PRIMA Work Programme 2026 will be announced on the PRIMA website.

An Info Day on the PRIMA Work Programme 2026 will be organised by the end of the month to present the priorities and topics of the upcoming calls. Further information will be shared soon on the PRIMA website. 

Please stay updated.

The post Publication of the Draft Version of the PRIMA Work Programme 2026 appeared first on PRIMA.

Date: February 24–26, 2026

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus (Hybrid)

Organised by: Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), UNEP/MAP, PRIMA — under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU

PRIMA representatives: Octavi Quintana Trias (PRIMA Director), Ali Rhouma (PRIMA Project officer, will contribute online)

Framework: PRIMA project WEFE4MED and GEF MedProgramme

Agenda: Here

23 February 2026 | From 24 to 26 February 2026, Nicosia will host a decisive Mediterranean gathering with a spotlight on the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE). Under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the meeting will bring together decision-makers, researchers, investors and practitioners with a clear purpose: turning alignment into execution.

Prepared jointly with the Union for the Mediterranean, UNEP/MAP and PRIMA, and situated within the WEFE4MED and GEF MedProgramme frameworks, the conference will mark a shift for the WEFE Nexus.

Building on the momentum of the 2021 WEFE Nexus Science Advances Conference, the Conference will catalyse coordinated action for integrated natural resource management and regional water, food and energy security by advancing implementation of the WEFE Nexus Strategy across the Mediterranean Source-to-Sea continuum.

It will refine the technical foundations of an operational Action Framework, showcase concrete regional applications and measurable pilot results, strengthen the design and bankability of Nexus investments, and enhance alignment with broader climate resilience efforts, including the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative.

From strategy to implementation

The Mediterranean WEFE Nexus Strategy S2S continuum outlines a systemic approach that replaces sectoral silos with a connected reading of resources, tracking water, energy, food systems and ecosystems as interdependent components of one continuum. Developed under the leadership of the Union for the Mediterranean, the European Commission and UNEP/MAP, with strong technical input from PRIMA and regional partners, it calls for coordinated planning, climate-smart investment, shared metrics and financing models designed for integrated solutions.

In Nicosia, attention will turn to implementation: governance, institutional alignment and the financial architecture required to move beyond pilot scale.

PRIMA: grounding the Nexus in practice

PRIMA has been among the earliest Mediterranean initiatives to give operational meaning to the WEFE Nexus.

The first dedicated call in 2019 supported Research and Innovation Actions, laying the analytical and scientific groundwork necessary to understand water–energy–food–ecosystem interdependencies. Modelling platforms, system analysis tools and integrated assessment frameworks provided the evidence base.

Yet science alone does not transform governance.

Recognising this, PRIMA progressively shifted towards Innovation Actions, supporting pilot sites, technological demonstrations, Nature-Based Solutions and governance experiments under real Mediterranean conditions. The goal has been constant: show decision-makers that integrated approaches are not theoretical ideals, but viable, cost-efficient responses to scarcity and climate stress.

To reinforce this transition, PRIMA funded a Mediterranean WEFE Nexus Community of Practice under the WEFE4MED project (CSA), connecting projects, practitioners, policymakers and investors. This structured network fosters peer learning, encourages replication and strengthens cross-country alignment.

At the Nicosia conference, PRIMA will be represented by its Director Octavi Quintana, reaffirming the programme’s institutional commitment. Ali Rhouma will present the paper he contributed to“Financing the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus project: challenges, opportunities, and pathways for sustainable investment”*, addressing one of the most pressing barriers to scaling integrated solutions: investment.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-resource-management/articles/10.3389/fsrma.2025.1590161/full

Making the Nexus structural

The WEFE approach is no longer confined to a thematic call within PRIMA. It now informs the entire architecture of the programme. Projects in water management, sustainable farming and agri-food value chain are expected to examine cross-sector impacts, strengthen ecosystem resilience and connect scientific results with policy and investment decisions.

As PRIMA advances its future Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda under Future4PRIMA, the Nexus perspective will increasingly shape priorities and funding orientations. Standardisation, shared indicators, interoperable data systems and comparable impact metrics, will play a central role in strengthening investor confidence and regional policy coherence.

From demonstration to deployment

Across the Mediterranean basin, PRIMA-supported initiatives illustrate what integration looks like in practice: resilient irrigation systems, renewable energy embedded in agri-food chains, watershed restoration through Nature-Based Solutions, digital planning tools and participatory governance models.

These experiences will generate evidence. Yet evidence alone will not guarantee scale. Institutional fragmentation, regulatory uncertainty and limited blended finance instruments continue to constrain systemic deployment.

Scaling the WEFE Nexus will therefore require deliberate reform, policy alignment, clearer impact measurement, public–private cooperation and financial mechanisms capable of valuing environmental co-benefits.

A turning point

The Mediterranean faces intensifying stress: declining water availability, energy transition pressures, fragile food systems and degraded ecosystems. Addressing these pressures separately is no longer realistic.

In Nicosia, the region will take a step toward operational coherence. For PRIMA, the next phase will focus on consolidating alliances, mobilising capital and embedding integrated practice across the Source-to-Sea continuum, transforming coordination from principle into measurable progress.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-resource-management/articles/10.3389/fsrma.2025.1590161/full

Rhouma A, Daher B, Vrachioli M, Mohtar R and Gil JM (2025) Financing the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus project: challenges, opportunities, and pathways for sustainable investment. Front. Sustain. Resour. Manag. 4:1590161. doi: 10.3389/fsrma.2025.1590161

The post PRIMA at the Regional Conference on the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source-to-Sea Continuum appeared first on PRIMA.

UNU-FLORES and PRIMA spearheaded the development of the policy brief, drawing on contributions from researchers within the broader Nexus community.

Following the Dresden Nexus Conference in 2025, which also marked its 10th anniversary, a policy brief was developed by researchers from the Nexus community. The development of the Policy Brief was led by UNU-FLORES and PRIMA.

The policy brief is titled “What ‘Nexus’? Towards Resource Nexus Standardization.”

The Policy Brief:

1. Proposes a new definition of the Resource Nexus;
2. Identifies key steps for the operationalization and certification of the Resource Nexus;
3. Demonstrates how a Resource Nexus framework can enhance policy coherence, manage trade-offs, and unlock synergies across sectors and scales.

The brief recommends a standardization scheme for Resource Nexus projects to ensure consistency, transparency, and impact across initiatives supported by public and donor funding. Standardization of the Resource Nexus involves harmonizing core elements of project design, assessment, and implementation.

The Policy Brief was authored by: Floor Brouwer (UNU-FLORES, Germany), Ali Rhouma (PRIMA Foundation, Spain), Daniel Karthe (UNU-FLORES, Germany), Antonella Autino (PRIMA Foundation, Spain), Bassel Daher (Texas A&M University, USA), Edeltraud Guenther (UNU-FLORES, Germany), Rabi Mohtar (Texas A&M University, USA), Annette Huber-Lee (SEI, USA), Zeeshan Tahir Virk (University of Oulu, Finland), Chrysi Laspidou (University of Thessaly, Greece), Nidhi Nagabhatla (UNU-CRIS, Belgium), Claudia Ringler (IFPRI, USA), Maria Vrachioli (Technical University of Munich, Germany), and Michael Jacobson (Penn State University, USA).

Suggested citation: What “Nexus”? Towards Resource Nexus Standardization : UNU-FLORES, 2026.

The post What “Nexus”? Towards Resource Nexus Standardization appeared first on PRIMA.

10 February | As today, February 10, marks World Pulses Day, we celebrate the role of pulses in our diet. Pulses have long been part of Mediterranean food traditions, and today they are more relevant than ever in addressing challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and food security.

But first, are you familiar with pulses?       

Pulses are a subgroup of legumes, harvested dry for their edible seeds, and include crops such as chickpeas, lentils, dried peas, and common beans.

Pulses: climate champions? Yes! See why:

• Pulses are nutrient-dense, providing essential vitamins and minerals for good health
• Their long shelf life helps diversify diets while reducing food loss and waste
• Pulses enhance agrobiodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience in cropping systems
• They fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility, which reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers
• Intercropping and rotation with other adds significant value, by diversifying the agricultural landscape and reducing the risks associated with monoculture farming.
• Pulses have a substantially lower water footprint compared to other protein sources.
• Pulses generate employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for rural women and youth

PRIMA in action: small seeds, big impact

PRIMA-funded projects are developing diversified crop rotations, improved chickpea and lentil varieties with enhanced drought tolerance, and innovative approaches to integrating underutilised legumes into farming systems. These projects deliver key exploitable results that strengthen farm resilience, reduce environmental impacts, and support sustainable production under changing climatic conditions.      

Let’s have a look to 3 PRIMA-projects (concluded):

• DIVICIA | Revalorising faba bean and vetches

Through DIVICIA, PRIMA-supported research showed how pulses like faba bean, chickpea, lentil, and vetch can be grown again in Mediterranean farming systems. The project tested crop rotations using barley, chickpea, and lentil in different Mediterranean areas. Results showed that growing pulses improves soil health, reduces plant diseases, and helps crops survive drought.

DIVICIA also created digital tools to help farmers plan which crops to grow and when. These tools use weather data and crop information to give farmers practical advice for growing pulses successfully in Mediterranean climates.

The project has succeeded to collect 300 accessions (unique plant samples collected from different locations or sources for conservation and research) of Vicia faba (faba bean), 280 accessions of Vicia sativa (common vetch), and a collection of Vicia narbonensis, and evaluated them across diverse Mediterranean environments.

These accessions were systematically screened for their tolerance to drought and resistance to multiple diseases, supporting the identification of resilient genetic resources for sustainable crop production.

Impacts:

• 20% less pesticide use
• 15-25% lower farming costs
• 20-40% more local animal feed from pulses

DIVICIA is a concluded project (2020-2024, Section2), led by “l’Ecole Supérieure des Agricultures – ESA Angers” (France).

• LEGU-MED 2 | Strengthening chickpea and lentil agrobiodiversity

The PRIMA project LEGU-MED 2 has contributed to valorising Mediterranean pulse agrobiodiversity by identifying and characterising new chickpea and lentil genotypes with improved performance under challenging environmental conditions. Through detailed phenotypic and genotypic analyses, the project highlighted varieties with enhanced drought tolerance, better nutritional traits, and increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

These results provide a concrete foundation for developing more resilient pulse-based farming systems, reducing dependency on chemical inputs while supporting stable yields and nutritional quality in the face of climate change across the Mediterranean basin.

LEGU-MED 2 is a concluded project (2020-2024, Section2), led by the Universita di Firenze – UniFi (Italy)

• BENEFIT-Med | Unlocking the potential of orphan legumes

The PRIMA project BENEFIT-Med focused on “orphan legumes”, under-used pulse crops that are naturally adapted to extreme soil and climate conditions in North Africa and the Mediterranean region. The project showed how different seeds perform during germination and in the field under various climatic conditions, such as salinity, drought, and heat.

While these legumes are naturally well-adapted to harsh conditions, they suffer from low yields and poor germination rates due to limited historical breeding efforts.

BENEFIT-Med tackled this challenge by improving seed quality through genetic selection and developing better germination performance. Using seed priming techniques that coat seeds with beneficial bacteria and fungi, the project increased both germination rates and crop resistance to drought and diseases, ultimately boosting yields.

The project BENEFIT-Med improved understanding of how seed quality influences crop establishment and yields. These results support the development of better-adapted seed systems and sustainable priming techniques, helping to bring climate-ready orphan legumes from research settings into farmers’ fields and local value chains.

BENEFIT-MED is a concluded project (2022-2025, Section2), led by the “Universita di Pavia – UniPV (Italy)

——————————

Going beyond pulses: PRIMA and alternative proteins

Pulses are part of what we call “alternative proteins”. Research and innovation on alternative proteins are essential to support the transition toward healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food systems in the Mediterranean. The region faces increasing pressure from climate change, water scarcity, population growth, and dependence on imported protein sources.

Alternative proteins, including plant-based, legume-derived, fermentation-based, and novel protein sources, offer opportunities to reduce environmental impacts, strengthen food security, and align with the Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on plant-forward nutrition.

Since 2018, PRIMA has funded 8 projects on alternative proteins, representing a total budget of €14.58 million and involving 78 entities across the Mediterranean. These investments support the development of safe, nutritious, culturally acceptable, and affordable protein solutions, while creating new economic opportunities and reinforcing the sustainability of Mediterranean agri-food systems.

The post Rooted in the Mediterranean: how pulses support climate-ready farming appeared first on PRIMA.

2 February | World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day comes around each year as a reminder of what we stand to lose, but this year in the Mediterranean, it’s also about what we’re determined to save.

‘Wetlands for Our Common Future’ is this year’s theme, and in the Mediterranean, that future is being built right now. From rice paddies in Spain to salt-crusted coastlines in Egypt to sensor-equipped fields in Portugal, the answer to what comes next is taking concrete form.

Since 2018, PRIMA has funded eight projects directly focused on wetland-based farming systems, mobilizing 81 research institutions and farming organizations across the region with a total budget of €15.54 million.

Last year, PRIMA took a further step and bet on the wetlands, and dedicated one funding call for the wetlands under the topic: “Enhancement of Sustainable Farming Systems within Mediterranean Wetlands for Conservation and Coexistence”.

Four projects were selected. Four very different approaches to the same challenge.

Halophytes? Carbon credits? IoT sensors in rice paddies? If these sound disconnected from wetlands, today we’re decoding this jargon with these four PRIMA projects recently selected.

These four projects form a comprehensive wetlands strategy: HALO-FORCE develops new crops for degraded land, ReMEDI reimagines existing agriculture as ecosystem restoration, WetAgriMed provides the technology and governance to manage it all sustainably and WETCARB creates the economic incentives to make it last.

Preserving Mediterranean wetlands is ultimately about preserving water, its availability, its quality, and its role as the backbone of resilient farming systems and healthy ecosystems.

Four Projects, one ecosystem approach

1. HALO-FORCE: Turning salt into opportunity

The challenge: Coastal wetlands degraded by saltwater intrusion
The solution: New salt-tolerant crops from wild plants

Where most see ruined farmland, HALO-FORCE sees potential. The project scouts Mediterranean coastlines for halophytes, wild plants that thrive in salty conditions, and develops them into nutritious crops. By combining genetic analysis, nutrient profiling, and farmer trials across eight countries, HALO-FORCE transforms the biggest threat to coastal agriculture (salinity) into its greatest asset: climate-resilient crops that restore degraded wetlands while feeding communities.

Why It Matters: Many coastal areas have salty, degraded soil where normal crops won’t grow. These wild plants naturally thrive there, and many are packed with nutrients. The project wants to identify the best varieties and turn them into practical farming options.

The expected impact: If successful, farmers in coastal areas could grow nutritious crops using less water and fertilizer, while also helping restore wetland ecosystems. This addresses both malnutrition (“hidden hunger”) and environmental degradation in regions increasingly affected by saltwater intrusion and climate stress.

2. ReMEDI: Rice Paddies as living wetlands  

The Challenge: Separating agriculture from nature destroys both
The Solution: Treating rice paddies and wetlands as one ecosystem

ReMEDI asks a radical question: what if rice paddies are wetlands? Through living labs in Spain, Egypt, Italy, and Turkiye, the project proves that organic rice farming can support biodiversity, store carbon, and produce food simultaneously. By mimicking natural wetland cycles through rotational flooding and wildlife corridors, ReMEDI shows that the most productive agricultural landscapes can also be the most ecologically rich.

Why It Matters: Mediterranean rice-growing regions face climate change, biodiversity collapse, and water shortages. Traditional farming often uses heavy chemicals that damage water quality and wildlife. Rice paddies are actually wetland ecosystems that could support birds, store carbon, and filter water, but only if managed differently. These are some of the most productive yet threatened landscapes in the Mediterranean.

The expected impact: Farmers get viable organic methods that work with nature instead of against it. Wetlands regain their ecological functions, cleaner water, wildlife habitat, carbon storage. The project produces policy recommendations for the EU Green Deal and Nature Restoration Law, helping scale these practices region-wide.

3. WetAgriMed: Smart Technology meets natural cycles

The Challenge: Managing resources efficiently without losing ecological function
The Solution: AI-powered monitocarbonring & nature-based practices

Can sensors and algorithms serve nature instead of replacing it? WetAgriMed wants to prove they can. The project deploys IoT networks and AI across Mediterranean sites to monitor water, soil, and emissions in real-time, then uses this data to optimize agroecological practices like constructed wetlands and beneficial bacteria. By combining digital precision with ecological wisdom, WetAgriMed gives farmers the tools to work with wetland cycles, not against them.

Why It Matters: Mediterranean wet agriculture faces water scarcity, soil salinity, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecological degradation. Farmers need better tools to manage resources efficiently while maintaining productivity, but solutions must work across diverse climates, cultures, and governance systems on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Expected impacts: Farmers gain AI-powered digital tools for smarter resource management alongside validated nature-based practices that reduce water use, control salinity, and cut emissions. The project produces governance frameworks and policy recommendations scalable across the Mediterranean. Through joint supervision of graduate students across institutions, WetAgriMed builds lasting North-South research partnerships while transforming wet agriculture into a climate-resilient, ecologically sound sector.

4. WETCARB: Making Conservation Pay

The Challenge: Farmers can’t afford to protect wetlands
The Solution: Carbon markets that reward ecosystem services

If wetlands store carbon, why aren’t farmers getting paid for it? WETCARB creates the missing link: a system to measure, verify, and monetize the carbon Mediterranean wetlands store. Using drones and ground sensors, the project quantifies wetlands’ climate value and helps over 50 farmers access carbon markets. For the first time, protecting wetlands becomes economically viable, turning conservation from a cost into an income stream.

Why It Matters: Mediterranean wetlands are powerful carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots, but farmers can’t currently benefit financially from the carbon their land stores because there’s no reliable way to measure and certify it. This means wetlands remain undervalued and underprotected, despite their climate mitigation potential. Farmers need new income streams to make wetland conservation economically viable.

Exepcted impacts: Farmers gain new income from carbon credits while maintaining productive farms, making wetland conservation financially sustainable. Wetlands are protected and enhanced as carbon sinks and biodiversity havens. The MRV system and digital platform provide the infrastructure for scaling carbon markets across the Mediterranean, supporting EU climate and nature restoration goals while strengthening rural livelihoods and contributing to climate mitigation.

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Titled “Regional Conference on Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus in the Mediterranean Source-to-Sea Continuum: From Strategy to Action”, the conference is organised under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), UNEP/MAP, and PRIMA, and within the framework of the PRIMA WEFE4MED Project and the GEF MedProgramme.

From Strategy to Action: advancing integrated solutions

The conference will focus on future pathways for implementing WEFE Nexus solutions, with a strong emphasis on moving from strategy to action. Discussions will address policy coherence, investment and financing mechanisms, innovation, and climate resilience, while promoting systems thinking and interdisciplinary approaches capable of delivering cross-sectoral benefits at scale.

At the heart of the conference lies the Strategy for the WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source-to-Sea Continuum, jointly developed within the frameworks of UfM, the Barcelona Convention/UNEP MAP, and the European Union, with technical support from GWP-Mediterranean, the EU Water & Environment Support (WES) Project, and PRIMA.

PRIMA’s Contribution to the Regional Strategy

PRIMA has been involved in the development of the WEFE Nexus Strategy, contributing scientific expertise, innovation capacity, and links to the research and innovation community. The Strategy underwent extensive formal consultations with national governments, alongside a structured regional consultation process engaging civil society, financing institutions, academia, and other stakeholders.

This consultative journey was launched during the 1st Regional WEFE Nexus Roundtable in Rabat (June 2023) and continued at the 2nd Regional WEFE Nexus Roundtable in Tunis (February 2024), both attended by PRIMA. The Strategy was adopted at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) of the Barcelona Convention and by the 15th Meeting of the UfM Regional Platform on Water, in preparation for the 2nd UfM Ministerial Conference on Water in March 2026.

The adoption of the Strategy is expected to inject new momentum into sustainable development efforts in the Mediterranean, paving the way for the elaboration of a regional Action Framework to support implementation, foster synergies, and mobilise financing.

PRIMA: A Pioneer of the WEFE Nexus Approach

PRIMA has been at the forefront of the WEFE Nexus since 2019, when the approach was first introduced as a dedicated thematic area in PRIMA calls. To date, 12 WEFE Nexus projects have been funded, representing a total investment of €34 million.

Building on this foundation, PRIMA took a decisive step forward in 2024 by mainstreaming the WEFE Nexus across all its calls. With the 2024 and 2025 calls, 67 new projects integrating the WEFE Nexus approach are entering the PRIMA portfolio, mobilising a total budget of €114 million directly invested in Nexus-driven research and innovation across the region.

The WEFE Nexus Community of Practice: Turning knowledge into impact

Through the PRIMA-funded WEFE4MED Project, PRIMA supports the WEFE Nexus Community of Practice (NCoP), launched in 2024. The NCoP provides a collaborative platform to identify, test, and disseminate WEFE Nexus solutions, while showcasing their benefits to policymakers and stakeholders through concrete case studies.

As a key instrument for supporting the future Action Framework of the WEFE Nexus Strategy, the NCoP facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the scaling-up of solutions across the Mediterranean.

A Conference Focused on Action

The conference will:

• Contribute to the elaboration of an operational Action Framework aligned with the upcoming Rome Initiative;
• Showcase practical applications of the WEFE Nexus and Source-to-Sea approaches, including governance innovations, pilot results, digital solutions, and scalable investments;
• Promote the design of WEFE Nexus investments and improved access to financing;
• Strengthen alignment with regional climate initiatives, including the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative, to embed climate resilience into Nexus actions.

Event Details

The conference will take place 24–26 February 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus, and online. It will be held under the auspices of the 2026 Cyprus Presidency of the EU, within the frameworks of UNEP MAP, UfM, and PRIMA, and with the support of the GEF UNEP MAP MedProgramme and the PRIMA WEFE4MED Project.

The event is organised by the Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean and the Cyprus Institute, in synergy with the EU WES BCA Project.

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