The BONEX Project, funded by the EU-Foundation “Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)” held its first annual meeting at the German Jordanian University from 30th May to 1st June 2023.
The meeting is part of a workshop that was organized by the German Jordanian University with the support of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN-ROWA). The BONEX project in Jordan has a specific focus on the Wadi Mujib Basin and has the ambition to explore and develop specific solutions promoting the linking of governance with practice to overcome barriers to WEFE (water, energy, food, ecosystem) nexus and policies.
The first day of the program included activities related to scoping assessment and evaluating the different methods in light of the diagnostic approach. This was carried out through group work from the different participants. On the evening of Day 1, a social dinner was organized in Madaba for all participants. On Day 2, a visit was organized to Dhiban Youth Cooperative where two hydroponic and two traditional greenhouses were established by the BONEX project. Presentations were delivered by all DP leaders of technologies about performance, socio-ecological fit, targeted problem; and alternatives to address problems, and all DP leaders presented their performance for the technology demonstration pilots. The remaining of the day also included the REWEFe water accounting tool and innovation management team meeting. Day 3 of the event covered issues related to project management and a gender committee meeting.
The BONEX Project Manager in Jordan, Dr. Serena Sandri, thanked the IUCN partners for their continued support., as well as Dhiban Youth Cooperative for their valuable contributions. And a special thanks to all the attendees from selected Demonstration Projects (DPs) across Italy, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Jordan, contributing to the diverse MedRegion contexts.
Finally, she expressed her gratitude to the GJU-BONEX project team represented by Dr. Munjed Alsharif, Dr. Arwa Abdelhay, Dr. Luay Jum’a, Dr. Noah Alshyab, and Dr. Ismail Abusheikha for their continued support.