January 2025

Communicating the shift towards water resilience

AMWAJ Supports the Jibal Solidarity Fund in Lebanon

AMWAJ and Jibal are working together to support farmers in Lebanon who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict. Many have had to leave their land due to relentless bombing, losing not only their homes but also their livestock and crops.

One such person is Umm Shujaa, a farmer in Saadnayel, Bekaa, who, with her husband Abu Shujaa, works tirelessly in the fields cultivating cumin, chickpeas, aniseed, and rose plantations. But life has become unbearably difficult:

“Today, while we were working in the fields, bombs fell near Karak. The sky lit up and we fled on foot. How can we feel safe? How can we look after our children? Relatives from the south are staying with us, 20 people under one roof. My sister had to leave her olive trees unharvested. They came to us with nothing, and although my heart is always open, I pray that they will soon be able to return to their homes.”

Local farmers like Umm Shujaa and Abu Shujaa are struggling to survive. Their crops, livelihoods, and safety are at risk. The Lebanese NGO Jibal has set up the Jibal Solidarity Fund to help them rebuild.

In August 2022, Egypt launched its 100 Million Trees Initiative, an ambitious plan introduced by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to expand green spaces across the country and address the challenges of climate change. However, the initiative has raised numerous concerns. Read Mahmoud Abdel Rahman’s article for Raseef22 in Arabic or head over to AMWAJ to find the English translation.

Rising temperatures are putting millions at risk, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean, MENA, and Central America. Cooling is essential but often relies on energy-intensive methods that contribute to climate change. Sustainable cooling offers a solution by reducing emissions, lowering energy demand, and building resilience in the face of rising global temperatures. Read the article by Nicolás Marín Navas for AMWAJ.

REVOLVE – Rewilding Starts with People

For the first time in millennia, wild horses are roaming freely near the source of Spain’s Tagus River thanks to a rewilding initiative. Once widespread across Eurasia, the Przewalski’s horse nearly disappeared due to hunting and domestication. Thanks to recovery efforts in several countries, their population has now grown to around 3,000. Beyond conservation, these horses help shape ecosystems and support local communities by boosting tourism and employment. Read the full article by Jake Threadgould for REVOLVE.

CREAF – Discover CREAF’s First Mentoring Program

The FAR mentoring program at CREAF pairs postdoctoral researchers with experienced staff for a year-long exchange in a safe and confidential setting. The program fosters professional growth, mutual learning, and talent development while enhancing interpersonal skills. It is led by Teresa Rosas, head of Academic Talent and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at CREAF.

MedWaves – Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award – Applications Are Open

Mediterranean coastal cities and local authorities are invited to submit their applications for the fifth edition of the Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award (IEFCA).

The C4B Stakeholder Panel is an interactive platform designed for collaboration and knowledge sharing among professionals in agriculture, forestry, policy, and biobased industry.

CENER 21 represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in a JICA training program in Japan, joining participants from nine countries to explore waste management, circular economy practices, and the 3R framework.

Updated flood risk maps in Spain double the number of homes currently located in flood-prone areas to nearly 2 million, representing no less than 7.9% of the country’s housing stock. The new data are the result of calculations published by the Spanish newspaper El Diario, based on information from Land Registry (Catastro) and the National Flood Zone Mapping System (SNCZI).

Climate Justice: Through an Investigative Lens is a guide for journalists reporting on climate change in the Arab world, with a focus on climate justice. It covers key concepts, climate science, and impact on marginalised communities in the Global South. The practical guide offers tips on reporting, developing stories, and using data. Investigative journalism is key to holding governments and corporations to account. It is part of the SHARAKA project, which supports reporters in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Tunisia.

Unbias The News is seeking powerful, underreported stories on migration and the environment. Open to journalists of all backgrounds, especially those facing structural barriers.

Deadline: 9 February
Pay: €500 per story, per author

Every Wednesday, we share a digest of job opportunities, fundings, calls, trainings, and events in sustainability across the Mediterranean. Follow us for regular updates.

AMWAJ stands for A Mediterranean Water And Journalism platform for sustainable development. We aspire to build an energy and water community around the Mediterranean. An initiative by REVOLVE.