The SWIM-H2020 programme, funded by the European Union, was presented at the opening of the international COP 22 climate conference taking place in Marrakesh until 18 November.
A SWIM-H2020 presentation document indicated that this programme ultimately seeks to "reduce marine pollution and promote the sustainable use of low water resources" in the Mediterranean basin, where environmental problems are particularly visible "at a level of the land-sea interface and coastal zone". In addition, "economic and social crises, as well as substantial flows of refugees come on top of climate variability and planet change, which make the management of these combined problems more difficult". In addition to these general problems, there are also more specific factors including "uncontrolled coastal developments, demographic growth, the development of tourism, loss of biodiversity and pollution stemming from previous developments and bad practices in municipal waste management, waste water and industrial emissions".
The SWIM-H2020 programme is the result of the merger between two previous EU financed programmes: H2020 CB/MEP (2009-2014) and the support mechanism for the integrated sustainable water management programme (SWIM SM) (2010-2015). (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)