CES-MED - Cleaner and Energy-Saving Mediterranean Cities
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia.
Timeframe: 2012-2017
Budget: €4.4 million
Objectives
The project aims to develop the capacities of local authorities in the region to formulate and implement sustainable local policies, such as those implied by joining the Covenant of Mayors. It intends to expand the use at local level of sustainable policies, such as renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency measures to reduce CO2 emissions, as well as efficient water and waste management, environment-friendly public transport, etc. The project will also contribute to making national authorities more aware of and responsive to the need for and advantages of a strong involvement of cities in local sustainable policy issues. What does it do? The project assists a selection of 2-3 Local Authorities per beneficiary country in analysing their current sustainability situation and in developing and implementing sustainable local policies such as the Covenant of Mayors. In parallel, the project works with national authorities to improve their understanding of how the implementation of sustainable policies at local level can be beneficial at a national level. The project also contributes to raise the awareness of the local population with regard to local sustainable policies and seeks to build lasting partnerships between local authorities in the EU and in the ENPI region.
Actions in brief
- Organises regional networking events and seminars (e.g. local sustainable policies days);
- Provides direct expert assistance, training for local authorities and exchange of best practice;
- Carries out information and awareness raising activities for cities and local population (e.g. preparation of tailored made materials on sustainable urban development policies, such as the Covenant of Mayors);
- Helps local authorities prepare action plans for sustainable local development policies;
- Provides technical assistance on local sustainable policies via two helpdesks (one in the Maghreb and one in the Mashreq), which liaise with the Covenant of Mayors Office for Sustainable Energy Action Plans and with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) for technical and scientific issues.