Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing challenge across the Mediterranean. Communities, businesses and agricultural sectors are experiencing growing pressure on water resources, while the demand for potable water continues to rise. In this context, the transition towards more efficient and circular water management solutions is essential.
SHARE.MedWATER participated in the closing session of the TIPLab on Water Scarcity, organised by the CPMR Intermediterranean Commission within the framework of Dialogue4Innovation, alongside the final event of the BLUE ECOSYSTEM project at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini, Italy.
The session brought together regional authorities, project partners and stakeholders involved in innovative water management initiatives, including AQUAMAN, WEGOCOOP and SHARE.MedWATER, to discuss policy and governance solutions that can strengthen water resilience across Mediterranean territories.
During the event, Tiziana Campisi (Clust-ER Greentech) presented the SHARE.MedWATER approach based on the concept of Water Communities. Inspired by the model of renewable energy communities, Water Communities promote the local collection, treatment and sharing of non-conventional water resources, such as rainwater and treated wastewater, among citizens, businesses and public bodies.
As part of the project, a pilot action will be implemented in Cervia (Italy), where rainwater harvesting solutions will be integrated with an existing renewable energy community, creating a practical example of a community-based and circular water management model.
The discussion also highlighted encouraging feedback from citizens, who expressed a strong willingness to use rainwater for non-potable purposes, provided that safety, transparency and fair governance mechanisms are guaranteed.
Participants agreed on several priorities for future policy development, including:
- Recognition of Water Communities as a formal legal entity.
- Greater regulatory support for the use of rainwater and treated wastewater for non-potable applications beyond irrigation.
- Development of fair and transparent governance, billing and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The outcomes of the discussion will contribute to the development of the Mediterranean Joint Policy Position on Water, helping policymakers explore innovative solutions to address water scarcity and enhance climate resilience across the region.
Our message will feed into the Mediterranean Joint Policy Position on Water. Because every drop counts, and every community can make a difference.
SHARE.MedWATER would like to thank CPMR-IMC, Dialogue4Innovation, BLUE ECOSYSTEM, as well as fellow projects AQUAMAN and WEGOCOOP, for the valuable exchange of experiences and perspectives on sustainable water management in the Mediterranean.
Through the promotion of Water Communities, SHARE.MedWATER continues to support innovative, participatory and circular approaches that can help Mediterranean territories make every drop count.
