The project falls within the priority of the Interreg Italy-Tunisia program “A greener, more resilient and low-carbon cooperation area”, with the specific objective of improving access to water and fostering the sustainable management of natural resources. The initiative promotes the exchange of knowledge, technologies and innovative models to ensure a more sustainable agricultural future in the target territories.

Context and objectives

The water crisis is one of the main challenges facing Mediterranean agriculture. Sicily and Tunisia — regions highly dependent on the agricultural sector and increasingly affected by climate change — have been facing severe drought conditions for four consecutive years.

The ERPAD – Eau ressource pour l’agriculture de demain project aims to strengthen the resilience of local agricultural systems through:

• Sustainable water resource planning and the development of long-term investment plans.
• A cross-border approach to identify shared solutions to common challenges, with particular focus on the most vulnerable agricultural sectors.
• Support to agricultural SMEs to promote the rational and efficient use of water, including through innovative financial models (blended finance).
• Cooperation among key stakeholders — farms, research centres, technology providers and financial institutions — integrating ESG criteria (Environmental, Social and Governance).

Main activities

• Development of water management and sustainable investment plans for participating farms.
• Pilot actions in at least 15 farms in Sicily and 15 in Tunisia, focusing on fruit tree cultivation.
• Creation of cross-border partnerships between enterprises, research centres, technical suppliers and service providers.
• Activation of support tools for agricultural SMEs, facilitating access to financial resources and innovative technologies.
• Training and awareness-raising activities for local stakeholders on efficient water use and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Project partners