A multi-partner mission in Tunisia serving territorial cooperation

A new mission was recently carried out in Tunisia by HAMAP-Humanitaire, with several aims linked to decentralised cooperation, the sustainable management of resources and stronger institutional partnerships.

Taking part in the Mediterranean Water Forum

At the Mediterranean Water Forum, several major themes were addressed.

Main lines of discussion

  • The need for hydro-diplomacy around transboundary basins
  • Water as a factor of peace and cooperation
  • Shared governance of water resources

Recommendations and tools discussed

  • The use of tools such as the WASHREG matrix
  • Giving gender greater weight in governance
  • Better inclusion of local populations in water management
  • Collaborative approaches to managing transboundary resources

Decentralised cooperation between Aude and Soliman

The mission also made it possible to support the representatives of the Aude departmental council in following up the project in Soliman, linked to the preservation of a sensitive natural area and to access to drinking water for disadvantaged populations.

Those involved

  • The commune of Soliman
  • The CERTE and CBBC research centres
  • The environmental association AEDS
  • Local institutional partners

Review of the first phase

  • Assessing the build-up of contaminants in plant species
  • Proposing a technology package for rehabilitation through phytoremediation
  • Setting up a demonstration plot for validation

Prospects for the next phase

  • Physiological characterisation of endemic species
  • Designing protocols for selecting and preparing the plants
  • Monitoring and improving the demonstration area

Ramonville and Mellouleche cooperation: water, sanitation and biomethanation

The project between Ramonville and Mellouleche is developing further in several complementary areas.

Activities and expected results

  • Connecting 67 homes to the public drinking water network (SONEDE)
  • Launching a study on collective sanitation
  • Assessing a pilot biomethanation unit on a local farm

This project combines improvements to essential services with the testing of innovative approaches to managing resources.

Lescar and Testour cooperation: solid waste management

Within the partnership between Lescar and Testour, HAMAP-Humanitaire is supporting the setting up of an integrated household waste management project.

Project objectives

  • Improving environmental conditions
  • Protecting residents' health
  • Building a structured waste management system

Lines of work identified

  • Developing a collection and recycling chain
  • Awareness-raising and behaviour change
  • Rehabilitating the existing landfill

Discussions with local representatives made it possible to identify priority needs and current practices, so that the work can be adapted to realities on the ground.

Strengthening institutional partnerships

The mission was also an opportunity to meet several key institutional actors:

  • The French Embassy
  • The National Federation of Tunisian Municipalities

These exchanges help strengthen coordination between the different levels of actors involved in cooperation projects.

A lasting dynamic of territorial cooperation

This mission illustrates the importance of decentralised cooperation as a lever for local development, by combining:

  • Sharing expertise
  • Involving local authorities
  • A participatory approach
  • Solutions suited to local contexts

Through these initiatives, HAMAP-Humanitaire continues its commitment to the sustainable management of resources, to strengthening local capacity and to delivering concrete projects for the benefit of local people.