The first National RESWATER Living Lab in Tunisia brought together stakeholders from across the water sector and beyond to discuss how Non-Conventional Water Resources can contribute to more resilient water management in Grand Tunis.
Held in Tunis on 9 July 2026 and organised by the Centre for Water Research and Technologies (CERTE), the Tunisian partner of RESWATER, the event marked the beginning of a participatory process that will continue through further Living Labs and Community of Practice meetings.
The event brought together 37 participants representing 21 institutions and entities, including public authorities, water service providers, research organisations, environmental organisations, planning bodies and private-sector actors.
During the Living Lab, participants were introduced to the RESWATER project and its activities in Tunisia, as well as the Living Lab approach and the water-related challenges facing Grand Tunis. Discussions focused on decentralised solutions for mobilising and making better use of Non-Conventional Water Resources, including treated wastewater and greywater reuse, as well as rainwater and stormwater collection and use.
A participatory workshop then gave stakeholders the opportunity to discuss which solutions could be most relevant for Grand Tunis. Participants considered their potential uses, practical constraints and the technical, economic, institutional and regulatory conditions that could influence their implementation.
The Living Lab is the first step in a wider process. The solutions and priorities identified will be considered alongside data on water supply and demand, results from the CERTE demonstration site, and technical and economic feasibility analyses. This work will ultimately contribute to the preparation of an Urban Water Management Plan for Grand Tunis, exploring different scenarios for integrating decentralised water solutions into the area.
Through this participatory approach, RESWATER is bringing together local knowledge, technical expertise and stakeholder experience to explore practical ways of strengthening water resilience in Grand Tunis.