About – Replenishing the small water cycle towards a more resilient Agriculture

MAENA project directly tackles critical water scarcity and climate vulnerability in the Mediterranean, a region where current water management policies overlook the vital role of Small Water Cycles (SWC)*. Recognising that agricultural overuse severely disrupts SWCs—which contribute up to 2/3 of land precipitation—MAENA introduces a new water management paradigm. Targeting up to 40% water savings, The project aims to enhance farm resilience through practical SWC restoration techniques. A participatory approach implemented across 20+ pilot farms, coupled with transnational training, will provide proof-of-concept of the proposed solutions. The ultimate goal is to form a strategic MED Hub to foster regional cooperation and enable decision-makers to replicate and scale up these practices for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in the region.

*SWC: Unlike the global water cycle that spreads water across a great range, the small water cycle keeps everything centralized. This localized loop helps retain water in the soil and contributes to the growth and reproduction of crops.