Nostrum

The Mediterranean basin is characterised by a strong heterogeneity of cultures, economies and societies that often implied problematic interactions. It is one of the areas where water resource scarcity and conflicts between different water users are more dramatic. The need and relevance for sustainable integrated water management strategies is therefore clear. Policy makers have not yet exploited the great theoretical potential of Dss tools to apply the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to manage socio-political conflicts over competing demands for water uses in different environmental situations. Extensive evidence suggests that their potential is often not exploited for various reasons, as lack of communication between scientists and policy makers. A need for reorientation of science to support policy making and for the adoption of multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary approaches integrating socio-economic and environmental considerations is evident. NOSTRUM-Dss will address this gap by approaching the analysis of needs expressed by stakeholders belonging to the various Mediterranean countries, directly involved in the project activities and by fostering mediation between policy objectives and scientific knowledge to create an environment appropriate for a more equitable and efficient water resource management in the basin.

The key objectives of this Co-ordination Action are:

to establish durable links between scientific institutions, governments, NGOs, SMEs and other stakeholders and improve public awareness on water management;

to improve scientific knowledge and applied methodologies in IWRM;

to promote the development of suitable Dss tools built upon real needs of policy making in IWRM