Every year, World Water Day draws the world’s attention to key global water issues. World Water Day 2021 will focus on the theme of Valuing Water, (location to be confirmed soon). Youth has an important role to play in working towards regional water security and increased water awareness. Young people are involved in innovative water-related projects and research around the Mediterranean and are key to securing a more sustainable water future in the region.

To amplify the voice of regional youth on this topic, the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) is launching the fifth edition of its Mediterranean youth workshop on Valuing Water. In the run-up to this workshop, the fifth edition of the “Mediterranean Water Heroes” youth contest will offer young water researchers and activists from around the Mediterranean the opportunity to showcase their innovative work on water.  

Find out more about the previous CMI World Water Day youth workshop.

Edition (2017) here / Edition (2018) here / Edition (2019) here / Edition (2020) here

The Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) is leading the contest with funding from the UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and the CMI Water Hub partners (The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Center for Water Management Services (CEWAS), French Development Agency, German Development Agency, European Investment Bank, CIHEAM, World Bank, Plan Bleu), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and the CMI-supported Mediterranean Youth Water network (MedYWat).

• Young people aged 18 to 35 and working and/or studying the water sector in the Mediterranean. 
• Regardless of their place of residence, applicants must be nationals from one of the following Mediterranean countries: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Palestinian Territories, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.
• Applications from Libya, Algeria, and Egypt are strongly encouraged.
• Applicants may be active within public institutions, research institutes, start-ups, NGOs, or are freelancers. 
• The official languages of the contest are English, French, and Arabic.

Contest prizes will be announced during the World Water Day 2021 event.

In addition to the prizes, the selected contest winners will be offered a speaking role in the different World Water Day 2021 workshop sessions as well as:

• Connection with international water experts and young water professionals:  
• Visibility: Showcasing your work on the online channels of the Center for Mediterranean Integration and its partners
• Mentoring: Peer-to-peer mentoring with other Mediterranean water activists and experts.

Other selected participants will also be invited to participate in the workshop in April 2021.

CMI encourages applications from all backgrounds, including young water activists, entrepreneurs, and researchers. 

The applications should submit their solutions and proposals under one of the three following sub-themes.

1. Valuing water infrastructure (Technical).
2. Value of water in Hydro- Diplomacy and transboundary waters (Policy).
3. Water services and management (Social and Economic).

• Deadline January 24^th midnight Paris time
• January 29^th, 2021: Announcement of the contest results
• March: Onboarding Webinar to prepare participants for the workshop
• April 2021 (TBC): Participation of the contest winners at CMI World Water Day

Only completed applications will be taken into consideration. Water-related projects and research will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Regional relevance and reproducibility
• Innovative value
• Environmental, social and economic impact
• Youth involvement
• The overall quality of the application

The jury will consist of the CMI team and selected water experts from CMI’s Water Hub partner organizations, notably the World Bank, AFD, GIZ, EIB, CIHEAM, Plan Bleu, IWMI and CEWAS as well as the CMI-managed Mediterranean Youth for Water Network (MedYWat)

Applications will be submitted through this page in either English and Arabic.

For any questions regarding the contest, kindly get in touch with us at [email protected]

Note:  The selected participants will be invited to join the Mediterranean Youth for Water (MedYWat) network

The above competition rules are binding throughout the entire duration of the “Mediterranean Water Heroes” World Water Day Youth Contest. Participating in the contest indicates that applicants have read and accepted these rules and regulations and agree to abide by them. CMI reserves the right to disqualify any contest applicant that it believes is not abiding by the rules of the CMI World Water Day Contest.