The contribution of the Mediterranean cities and regions to building water resilience

Water is perhaps the Mediterranean region's most scarce commodity, with some 180 million people already suffering from water scarcity. The already water-scarce population is expected to increase to over 250 million before 2050, given predictions about climate change-induced hazards and risks, including water stress. Effectively, an additional 25 billion cubic metres of water will be needed annually to meet the needs of citizens of the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Water resilience guarantees that cities and regions can cope with shocks and stresses related to water, such as periods of prolonged drought, but also sea level rise or storm surges (increased risk of flooding). Acceleration of such resilience is especially important for Mediterranean cities, where overall demographic trends, as well as those linked to urbanisation and additional industrial and irrigation needs, are skyrocketing (hence an increase in water demand, and likewise with mismanagement practices). This study aims to explore the role that Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in ARLEM countries play in building water resilience, current achievements in this area, the remaining challenges, and potential solutions.1 Lastly, it provides LRAs with recommendations for expanding this role. This memo consists of: 1. a brief analysis of the water resilience challenges in the Southern Neighbourhood countries; 2. two case studies of LRAs playing an active role in building water resilience; 3. an outline of the role that cities and regions in the Mediterranean can play in efficient water management; 4. identified funding possibilities, but also funding gaps and other financial obstacles to pursuing water resilience-oriented projects. Key recommendations drawn from the case studies and the challenges faced by the LRAs concerning water resilience vary from soft actions focused on education and awareness-raising campaigns, to technical know-how development of water infrastructure following the rules of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM).