The launching event of the CLIMA project ("Cleaning Innovative Mediterranean Action: reducing waste to boost economies") took place in Sestri Levante (Italy) from 23^rd to the 25^th of January 2020. The event, hosted by the lead beneficiary Sestri Levante Municipality, saw the participation of the six CLIMA partners:

• Sestri Levante Municipality, Italy
• Bikfaya Municipality, Lebanon
• Mahdia Municipality, Tunisia
• Cooperazione per Sviluppo Paesi Emergenti (COSPE), Italy
• Arcenciel, Lebanon
• Centre International des Technologies de l'Environnement de Tunis (CITET), Tunisia

The CLIMA project aims to adress the environmental, economic and social problems related organic waste mismanagement by supporting the three Mediterranean partners in developing Municipal Waste Plans while financing the implementation of innovative technical solutions such as a compost drum in Taanayel (Lebanon), an improved pilot compost site in Mahdia (Tunisia), a membrane composting unit in Bikfaya (Lebanon) and promoting advocacy and educational campaigns involving both citizens and local businesses.

During the kick-off meeting, the partners discussed their current situation in terms of waste management. The policies of Sestri Levante Municipality for solid waste collection and promotion of separated waste collection and the challenges of the Liguria region, such as the lack of infrastructures, were the opening topics. The partners explained the programs and projects already implemented on their territories, such as the Tunisian Ecolabel Programme, and the problems they face with the existinglawas regarding waste collection. In addtion, the Italian representatives of the projeect presented some pilot actions such as the Zero Waste policy, the study case of “Tariffa Puntuale”, a tax calculated on the actual waste production and the opportunities of earthworm composting.

At the end of the meeting, partners discussed the next steps of project: Municipal Waste Management Plans integrated with performance targets and specific monitoring and evaluation indicators on organic waste management, the creation of the Mahdia composting site (starting with an impact/feasibility plan), the creation of a membrane compost unit in Bikfaya (firstly supplying service procedure to purchase the membrane), test on the Taanayel compost unit, the market analysis and support of social enterprises to strenghten the compost value chain, and well as the development of sensitization, advocacy and educational local campaigns.

For more information, please visit the CLIMA website.