RedeeM: Resilience in Desertification and Drought for Mediterranean

RedeeM is a strategic Interreg Euro-MED project aimed at strengthening climate resilience and preventing desertification in Mediterranean rural and agricultural areas. The project addresses increasing water scarcity affecting farming systems, rural livelihoods, and ecosystem sustainability by promoting integrated water governance through the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus. By combining nature-based solutions with innovative agricultural water management technologies, RedeeM supports sustainable irrigation practices, improved water efficiency, and climate-informed decision-making. The project brings together 12 Mediterranean partners to jointly develop tools, governance strategies, and pilot solutions that enhance water resilience in rural agricultural territories.

RedeeM is implemented through coordinated technical, pilot, and governance activities focused on improving water resilience in Mediterranean rural and agricultural landscapes.

The project begins with the assessment of territorial WEFE nexuses, analysing how water use interacts with agriculture, energy consumption, food production, and ecosystem health. This process identifies pressures arising from irrigation demand, groundwater overexploitation, and climate-induced drought affecting rural economies. The assessment supports the development of a practical toolkit enabling authorities and agricultural stakeholders to implement water-efficient solutions.

Pilot interventions demonstrate sustainable agricultural water management practices adapted to rural conditions. These include the rehabilitation of rainwater reservoirs supporting irrigation, solar-powered drip irrigation systems improving water-use efficiency, drone-based monitoring of irrigation practices, and ecosystem restoration measures that enhance soil moisture retention and reduce evaporation losses. Each pilot is accompanied by replication and scaling plans to support adoption across Mediterranean farming regions.

Local Working Groups composed of farmers, public authorities, water managers, and technical experts co-develop Water Resilience Plans tailored to rural territories. Training workshops, policy learning seminars, and stakeholder dialogue events strengthen institutional capacity and promote the uptake of climate-adaptive agricultural practices.

The project culminates in a joint Strategy for Integrated Climate-Informed Water Governance and a decision-support toolkit enabling Mediterranean regions to implement sustainable water management solutions supporting resilient rural agriculture.

RedeeM will deliver an integrated water governance strategy, a practical toolkit for addressing water scarcity, and tested pilot solutions that can be replicated across Mediterranean regions to improve water efficiency and climate resilience in Mediterranean rural and agricultural areas. The project strengthens institutional capacity, improves cross-border cooperation, and supports public authorities in adopting climate-resilient water management approaches. By improving water governance and supporting agricultural adaptation to drought, RedeeM contributes to reducing desertification risks, protecting rural livelihoods, and ensuring long-term sustainability of Mediterranean agricultural systems.