EU Horizon Europe: Climate-Resilient Water Security and WASH Governance in the Mediterranean Region

The EU Horizon Europe call 'Climate-Resilient Water Security and WASH Governance in the Mediterranean Region' is a targeted funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, specifically within Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment). The call is part of the EU's broader commitment to addressing climate change impacts on water resources, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Mediterranean, which is already experiencing severe water scarcity, droughts, and pollution. The call has a total indicative budget of €12-15 million, with individual project grants ranging from €3 to €5 million. Projects must have a duration of 36 to 48 months and are expected to be implemented by consortia comprising at least three legal entities from different EU Member States or associated countries, with strong involvement of partners from Mediterranean third countries. The call emphasizes integrated, multi-sectoral approaches that address both water security and WASH governance, aiming to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation while enhancing the resilience of water systems to climate change. This includes promoting nature-based solutions, digital innovations, and governance reforms. Proposals must demonstrate a clear impact pathway, robust stakeholder engagement, and alignment with EU policies such as the European Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, and the UN SDGs. The deadline for submission is September 15, 2026, with successful projects expected to start within six months of the grant agreement. The call is particularly relevant for organizations working in water resource management, public health, and urban planning in the Mediterranean region. It encourages collaboration between research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors, fostering a transdisciplinary approach. The EU expects projects to deliver tangible outcomes, such as improved water use efficiency, increased access to WASH services, and strengthened governance frameworks. Additionally, projects should contribute to the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030' by reducing pollution and enhancing water quality. Given the competitive nature of Horizon Europe calls (success rate around 10-15%), proposals must be highly structured, with clear objectives, innovative methodologies, and measurable targets. GSLI's training courses, such as 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Project Management for Development,' can provide essential skills for developing a competitive application. The call also requires a detailed budget justification, as it uses lump sum funding, which simplifies financial management but demands accurate cost estimation. Applicants should also consider synergies with other EU initiatives, such as the EU Water-Smart Agricultural Systems and the EU Strategy for the Mediterranean. The call encourages open science practices, including open access to publications and data, and requires a data management plan. Moreover, gender equality and social inclusion must be integrated into all aspects of the project, from design to implementation. The evaluation criteria include excellence (50%), impact (30%), and quality and efficiency of implementation (20%). Therefore, proposals must clearly articulate the scientific and technological breakthroughs (excellence), the potential for economic and societal benefits (impact), and the feasibility of the work plan (implementation). GSLI's comprehensive suite of courses can help applicants address these criteria effectively, from technical content to capacity building and dissemination.

Strategic Overview

The EU Horizon Europe call 'Climate-Resilient Water Security and WASH Governance in the Mediterranean Region' is a targeted funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, specifically within Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment). The call is part of the EU's broader commitment to addressing climate change impacts on water resources, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Mediterranean, which is already experiencing severe water scarcity, droughts, and pollution. The call has a total indicative budget of €12-15 million, with individual project grants ranging from €3 to €5 million. Projects must have a duration of 36 to 48 months and are expected to be implemented by consortia comprising at least three legal entities from different EU Member States or associated countries, with strong involvement of partners from Mediterranean third countries. The call emphasizes integrated, multi-sectoral approaches that address both water security and WASH governance, aiming to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation while enhancing the resilience of water systems to climate change. This includes promoting nature-based solutions, digital innovations, and governance reforms. Proposals must demonstrate a clear impact pathway, robust stakeholder engagement, and alignment with EU policies such as the European Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, and the UN SDGs. The deadline for submission is September 15, 2026, with successful projects expected to start within six months of the grant agreement. The call is particularly relevant for organizations working in water resource management, public health, and urban planning in the Mediterranean region. It encourages collaboration between research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors, fostering a transdisciplinary approach. The EU expects projects to deliver tangible outcomes, such as improved water use efficiency, increased access to WASH services, and strengthened governance frameworks. Additionally, projects should contribute to the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030' by reducing pollution and enhancing water quality. Given the competitive nature of Horizon Europe calls (success rate around 10-15%), proposals must be highly structured, with clear objectives, innovative methodologies, and measurable targets. GSLI's training courses, such as 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Project Management for Development,' can provide essential skills for developing a competitive application. The call also requires a detailed budget justification, as it uses lump sum funding, which simplifies financial management but demands accurate cost estimation. Applicants should also consider synergies with other EU initiatives, such as the EU Water-Smart Agricultural Systems and the EU Strategy for the Mediterranean. The call encourages open science practices, including open access to publications and data, and requires a data management plan. Moreover, gender equality and social inclusion must be integrated into all aspects of the project, from design to implementation. The evaluation criteria include excellence (50%), impact (30%), and quality and efficiency of implementation (20%). Therefore, proposals must clearly articulate the scientific and technological breakthroughs (excellence), the potential for economic and societal benefits (impact), and the feasibility of the work plan (implementation). GSLI's comprehensive suite of courses can help applicants address these criteria effectively, from technical content to capacity building and dissemination.

Who is it For?

This call is open to a wide range of legal entities established in EU Member States, Horizon Europe associated countries, and, under specific conditions, third countries. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, public authorities, international organizations, NGOs, and private enterprises. Consortia must include at least three independent entities from different EU Member States or associated countries. Partnerships with Mediterranean third countries (e.g., Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey) are strongly encouraged and may be funded via specific mechanisms. For WASH-focused projects, collaboration with local water utilities, health ministries, and community-based organizations is essential to ensure local ownership and sustainability. Applicants should demonstrate expertise in water resource management, climate adaptation, public health, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Experience with EU-funded projects and familiarity with Horizon Europe rules (e.g., lump sum funding, reporting requirements) is advantageous. GSLI's courses in WASH, Public Health & Epidemiology, and Project Management for Development can strengthen the capacity of consortium partners, particularly those from non-EU countries, to meet the technical and managerial demands of the call.

Priorities

The EU's primary objectives for this call are to enhance climate resilience of water systems in the Mediterranean, improve access to safe WASH services, and promote good water governance. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include: reduction in water stress index (target: 10% decrease in project areas), number of people gaining access to improved WASH services (target: at least 50,000 per project), increase in water use efficiency (target: 15% improvement), and adoption of integrated water resources management plans (at least 2 plans adopted). The EU prioritizes innovative solutions that combine green (nature-based) and grey (technological) infrastructure, digital tools for monitoring and decision-making, and capacity building for local institutions. Cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, social inclusion, and youth engagement must be integrated. Projects should also contribute to the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' by reducing pollution and improving water quality in the Mediterranean. The expected impact includes strengthened regional cooperation, replication of successful models, and policy recommendations for EU and national frameworks.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are stringent. For consortia, the minimum requirement is three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries. Additional partners from Mediterranean third countries are eligible but must comply with EU financial rules. Entities must be established before the call deadline and not be subject to EU restrictive measures. Financial capacity will be assessed; applicants must demonstrate stable funding sources or submit a financial guarantee if in deficit. Spatial constraints: projects must be implemented in Mediterranean regions, with fieldwork in at least two eligible countries. Corporate legal form: any legal entity (public or private) can apply, but for-profit entities must demonstrate non-profit character for the project. Specific conditions apply for international organizations. Each proposal must allocate 30-50% of the budget to partners in Mediterranean third countries. Additionally, projects must ensure data management plans comply with FAIR principles and open science practices. GSLI’s Financial Management for NGOs and Grants Management courses can help applicants structure compliant budgets and avoid common eligibility pitfalls.

Path to Success

To secure funding, follow this strategic roadmap: 1) Consortium Building (Months 0-3): Identify and engage partners from EU member states and Mediterranean third countries with complementary expertise in water governance, climate adaptation, and WASH. Prioritize partners with existing relationships and proven track records in EU projects. GSLI’s Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course can help partners design robust impact measurement frameworks early. 2) Needs Assessment and Co-Design (Months 3-6): Conduct a participatory assessment with local stakeholders to identify specific water and WASH challenges, aligning project objectives with national and EU priorities. This phase should result in a detailed Theory of Change and logframe. GSLI’s Project Management for Development course provides tools for stakeholder mapping and logical framework analysis. 3) Proposal Development (Months 6-9): Draft the proposal with clear sections on impact, excellence, and implementation. Use the EU’s standard template and ensure lump sum budget justification is detailed. Include a risk matrix and mitigation measures. GSLI’s Writing Winning Proposals course offers step-by-step guidance on structuring non-technical sections and addressing evaluation criteria. 4) Internal Review and Submission (Month 9-12): Conduct a thorough internal review, including financial checks and compliance verification. Use GSLI’s Grants Management training to ensure all administrative requirements are met. Submit at least one week before the deadline to avoid technical issues. Throughout, maintain communication with the EU’s National Contact Points (NCPs) for feedback. Post-submission, prepare for potential interviews or clarifications.

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Deadline: 2026-09-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal