H2020 investment projects: laying the groundwork

The first half of 2011 has been particularly fruitful in laying the groundwork for investment projects under the EU-funded initiative Horizon 2020 (H2020), with four feasibility studies currently being prepared or carried out for investment projects in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia. A press release said the Mediterranean Hot Spots Investment Programme – Project Preparation and Implementation Facility (MeHSIP-PPIF), implemented under the H2020 initiative, has also completed the pre-feasibility study stage of another two potential investment projects in Egypt. The third Draft Interim Progress Report was finalised at the end of July and is now available online. The state of play is as follows: 

• Egypt: Lake Burullus- Kafr El Sheikh Wastewater Treatment Systems

Following meetings and discussions with Egyptian partners, the project will now proceed to the feasibility study stage, and MeHSIP-PPIF is in the process of identifying local experts to undertake the technical studies. Two further potential projects, in Alexandria and Marsa Matruh, have completed the pre-feasibility stage.

• Jordan: Al Ekaider - Integrated Solid Waste Management Project

The Jordanian government has given the green light for the Solid Waste Management Project feasibility study. TORs for the feasibility study are being updated taking into account the latest USAID-funded intervention study.

• Lebanon: Al Ghadir - Wastewater Treatment Plant

Following the Inception Report, the MeHSIP-PPIF team is now in full thrust on the second deliverable, the ‘Intermediate Report’, which will present the developed options for the Al Ghadir Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade.

• Tunisia: Lake Bizerte - Integrated De-pollution Programme

The Diagnostic Report has been finalised and was presented at a consultation organised by the Tunisian counterparts in the Governorate of Bizerte. Present at this event were representatives of the Government authorities, local communities and academic institutions involved in the project as well as the EU Delegation and EIB representatives. This report clarified further pollution sources since the study in 2004 and highlighted less documented areas that require further investigation to finalise the priority interventions. The MeHSIP-PPIF team is currently engaged in further investigation as recommended by the Tunisian Government and EIB and a full report will be delivered in September to clearly define the focus of the feasibility study. The Horizon 2020 initiative aims to improve the quality of life of more than 420 million citizens living in the 25 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is an umbrella programme drawing together all the policies, strategies and action plans for enhancing environmental protection. Horizon 2020 has mechanisms in capacity-building, research, monitoring and review that place the initiative in an excellent position to address the challenges it faces and ensure the efficient and effective use of the available resources. The inclusion of the Horizon 2020 Initiative as one of the six components of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) adds to the political impetus to address major environmental challenges.

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MeHSIP-PPIF website 
Horizon 2020 - website