PRIMA Nexus-Ness

11/04/2025

🎉 Yesterday, April 10, 2025, we held the Final Conference of the NEXUS-NESS Project in Rome!

Hosted at the Italian Farmers Association (Cia - Agricoltori Italiani), Via Mariano Fortuny 16, the event marked the closing of four years of intense collaboration, innovation, and research across the Mediterranean.

Under the theme:
"Technological and Socio-cultural Change for Achieving Sustainable and Fair Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem Resource Management", the conference brought together expert and partners form several countries.

We reflected on the achievements of the PRIMA Nexus-Ness project and shared lessons learned on how integrated WEFE Nexus approaches can lead to more just and sustainable resource allocation.
Panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive exchanges showcased the tools, strategies, and visions that will carry this work forward beyond the project’s lifetime.

A heartfelt thank you to all partners and participants who made this journey so impactful.
This is not the end, but a new beginning for Nexus-inspired action in the Mediterranean and beyond!

11/04/2025

09/04/2025

Happening Tomorrow🚨!

Join us for the 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 of the Nexus-NESS Project

Rome, Italy – April 10, 2025
Venue: Cia-Agricoltori Italiani (Italian Farmers Association),
V𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐲 𝟏𝟔

Hybrid Format – In-person and Online participation available

Theme: Technological and Socio-cultural Change for Achieving Sustainable and Fair Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystem Resource Management

This closing event brings together international experts, stakeholders, and partners to share results, exchange ideas, and explore the future of integrated WEFE Nexus solutions across the Mediterranean.

Join us online via this link: [https://meet.google.com/zez-xysp-yyt]

PRIMA NEXUS–NESS

03/04/2025

✨ Join us in Rome for the PRIMA Nexus-NESS Final Conference! ✨

On behalf of the NEXUS-NESS Consortium, we are excited to invite you to the Final Conference of the PRIMA Nexus-NESS project, taking place on April 10th, 2025 in Rome, at the headquarters of CIA – Italian Farmers Association

📍 Via Mariano Fortuny, 16

This event marks the closing of the European project

“NEXUS Nature Ecosystem Society Solution – Fair and Sustainable Resource Allocation Demonstrator of the Multiple WEFE Nexus Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits for Mediterranean Regions.”

It will be a unique opportunity to share insights, results, and strategies for a more sustainable and integrated Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus in the Mediterranean.

Registration required at:

https://forms.gle/fuvaeRUA4MeG2NPw9

More info at:

https://prima-nexus-ness.org/2025/04/03/final-conference-of-the-prima-nexus-ness-project/

Final Conference of the PRIMA Nexus-NESS Project Apr 3, 2025 | news Nexus-Ness PROJECT FINAL CONFERENCEROME, ITALY – APRIL 10, 2025Technological and Socio-cultural Change for achieving Sustainable and Fair Water, Energy, Food and ecosystem resource management Venue: Sede Cia-Agricoltori Italiani (...

05/03/2025

🌿 Sustainability & Agriculture in Val di Cornia: A Roadmap for the Future

📍 Livorno, Consorzio di Bonifica – Sustainability is at the core of discussions on the future of agriculture in Val di Cornia, a historically rich farming region known as the "Garden of Tuscany."

The recent meeting of the Nexus Ecosystem Lab Val di Cornia, organized as part of the European PRIMA Nexus-Ness project and the Val di Cornia UNESCO Observatory for Ecohydrology, brought together farmers, industry representatives, and researchers to tackle the pressing challenges facing the agricultural sector and explore solutions for long-term resilience.

A Vision for 2030: Integrated Resource Management

Rudy Rossetto from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, and project coordinator, highlighted the goal of developing an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable model for Val di Cornia by 2030. Achieving this requires:
-Integrated planning of water and energy resources
- Innovation in agricultural production
- A data-driven approach to sustainability

During the meeting, an analytical assessment of the current agricultural landscape was presented to guide the co-design of future strategies.

Agriculture in Crisis: Declining Farms & Shrinking Cultivated Land

The agricultural sector in Val di Cornia is under pressure, facing rising costs, bureaucracy, and generational turnover challenges.
According to Marino Geri, head of Cia Val di Cornia (Italian Farmers Confederation), the number of farms declined from 1,093 in 2020 to 1,062 in 2023, with concerns that the trend will continue.

To reverse this trend, the Nexus Ecosystem Lab has proposed:
-Enhanced irrigation efficiency
-Climate-resilient crop varieties
-Improving international competitiveness

"We must rethink the role of agriculture and farmers," stated Cinzia Pagni, president of Cia Etruria.

Through collaboration between farmers, policymakers, and researchers—initiatives like Nexus-NESS can provide a roadmap for a sustainable and resilient agricultural system. This will ensure the long-term viability of one of Tuscany’s most vital food-producing regions.

More info here: https://prima-nexus-ness.org/2025/03/05/sustainable-agriculture-in-val-di-cornia-challenges-and-innovative-solutions/

Sustainable Agriculture in Val di Cornia: Challenges and Innovative Solutions Mar 5, 2025 | news Livorno, Consorzio di Bonifica – Sustainability is at the heart of the debate on the future of agriculture in Val di Cornia, a historically agricultural region known as the “Garden of Tuscany.” The...

05/03/2025

🔹 PRIMA NEXUS–NESS Project in Nefta:

Strengthening Community-Driven Sustainability

On February 13–14, 2025, the NEL Tunisian team of the Nexus-NESS project traveled to Nefta, a historic oasis town 300 km from Médenine, following an invitation from SHANTI, a Tunisian association dedicated to fostering social and environmental innovation. This visit represented a key step in expanding the project's outreach and reinforcing synergies with local organizations working on community-driven sustainability initiatives.

The main objectives of the visit were:
- Presenting the Nexus-NESS project and the WEFE Nexus approach to local stakeholders.
- Learning from SHANTI’s experience in implementing social innovation projects that improve living conditions in Tunisia.

SHANTI’s mission closely aligns with Nexus-NESS principles, particularly in empowering communities to tackle social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges. Since 2016, SHANTI has been active in 18 out of Tunisia’s 24 governorates, impacting over 600 individuals and strengthening more than 90 organizations in the social and solidarity economy.

During the visit, the Nexus-NESS team engaged with SHANTI members and local actors to explore synergies in: capacity building, sustainable resource management, participatory approaches.

Discussions focused on integrating the WEFE Nexus approach into community-led projects, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, where access to water, energy, food, and ecosystems remains a key challenge.

🌍 Bridging Research and Community Action

This exchange highlighted the importance of scaling and replicating social innovation models, reinforcing the idea that community-driven solutions are crucial for sustainable development. By fostering collaboration between scientific research and grassroots organizations, Nexus-NESS aims to enhance knowledge-sharing and co-creation processes, ensuring solutions are adapted to local needs.

📍 The visit to Nefta strengthened the connection between research-driven innovation and community-based action, showcasing the pivotal role of associations like SHANTI in advancing inclusive and sustainable transitions in resource management.

More info here: https://prima-nexus-ness.org/2025/03/05/nexus-ness-project-presented-in-nefta-in-collaboration-with-shanti-association/

05/03/2025

🔹 Fourth Workshop – Matmata – 27th February 2025
Integrating the PRIMA Nexus-Ness for a Sustainable Future

The Tunisian team of the Nexus-NESS project successfully hosted the fourth workshop on February 27, 2025, at the Arid Regions Institute (IRA) in Medenine. Under the theme "Matmata 2050: Integrating the WEFE Nexus for a Sustainable Future", this event represented a key step in advancing the Nexus Plan and co-validating actions for a sustainable transition in the Matmata region.

🤝 Engaging stakeholders for a shared vision
The workshop brought together a diverse group of experts, farmers, policymakers, the farmers' union, the women's union, and community leaders. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on the most practical pathways to achieving the 2050 management vision for the region, with a strong emphasis on social inclusion—particularly the empowerment of women and marginalized communities.
One of the highlights of the event was the participation of former Minister Saad Seddik, a native of the region, who provided invaluable insights into funding opportunities, Tunisia’s WEFE Nexus strategy, and agricultural policies. His experience allowed for a meaningful comparison between proposed actions and real-world applications, enriching the conversation with practical perspectives.

📜 Refining the Nexus Plan
The draft Nexus Plan was presented, prompting an in-depth discussion on the effectiveness of proposed actions. While the session was highly productive, certain measures—especially those related to the Program of Agricultural Modernization (PAM)—sparked intense debate. Nevertheless, the workshop concluded with a voting session on future actions, marking a decisive step toward the sustainable development of the Matmata region.

This workshop reaffirmed the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in shaping effective sustainability strategies. By integrating the WEFE Nexus approach, Nexus-NESS continues to contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for Mediterranean regions.

More info here: https://prima-nexus-ness.org/2025/03/05/4th-workshop-in-tunisia-matmata/