Young Mediterranean innovators still have until 25 February to submit their ideas for the “Mediterranean Water Heroes” youth contest, which will offer them the opportunity to showcase their work on wastewater and the circular economy.  The contest is part of a youth-focused event marking World Water Day entitled “Youth Innovating with Wastewater for a Sustainable Mediterranean”, on March 21-22, focusing on wastewater as an important means for combating water scarcity in the Mediterranean region. 

The EU-funded SwitchMed programme is a partner of the event, which is being organised in Marseille by the Centre for Mediterranean Integration (CMI). 

Young people (aged 18-30) are being invited to submit entries their innovative work around the following themes:

• Zero Waste and Water in the Mediterranean: How can wastewater be perceived as a resource and used to increase water security in the Mediterranean?
• The Multiple Uses of Wastewater: What are the different ways in which wastewater can be safely reused to benefit both humans and the environment?
• Wastewater and the Circular Economy: How can wastewater contribute to creating new economic opportunities, specifically for young people, in a sustainable circular economy? 

Full details of eligibility, rules and prizes can be found here.

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 SwitchMed sustainable consumption and production programme aims to promote a switch by the Mediterranean economies towards sustainable consumption and production patterns and green economy, including low-emission development, through demonstration and dissemination of methods that improve resource and energy efficiency. It also seeks to minimise the environmental impacts associated with the life cycle of products and services and, where possible, to promote renewable energy. 

Read more

Press release 

SwitchMed training programme

SwitchMed website