CisWEFE-NEX
Circular Systemic Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus CCRI Demonstrator for Regions facing Severe Water Stress
CisWEFE-NEX project aims to implement a circular systemic Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus in regions facing severe water stress. The project focuses on integrating sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies to address environmental challenges like water scarcity, drought, and the overexploitation of natural resources.
Partners
Months
Million EUR
SDGs addressed
Why CisWEFE-NEX?
The CisWEFE-NEX project addresses the urgent global challenge of water scarcity, worsened by climate change. As water stress increases worldwide, the sustainable management of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus is vital for human survival, environmental health, and economic stability. CisWEFE-NEX integrates innovative solutions to optimize the interconnections between water, energy, food, and ecosystems within a circular economy framework, aiming to close resource loops and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. Acting now is essential to build resilient systems that reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and ensure efficient water management.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are explicitly aligned with the project’s objectives. The project contributes directly to several key SDGs:
CisWEFE-Nex pilot region(s)
The pilot region selected to test the CisWEFE-NEX system is the Algarve region, in Portugal, an area facing significant environmental challenges.
Severe water stress: Extreme water scarcity due to droughts and overuse of groundwater, with 77% used in agriculture.
Wastewater mismanagement: Olive mill wastewater is mostly lost through evaporation, further straining water resources.
Limited nutrient recycling: Only a small portion of wastewater nutrients is recycled, missing sustainable resource use opportunities.
Economic challenges: High unemployment and limited job opportunities highlight the need for sustainable job creation.
Environmental degradation: Overuse of water and poor nutrient management threaten the region’s ecosystem health.
This pilot will gather critical data and insights, driving the development of a systemic Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus to then be replicated in other regions facing similar environmental stresses. The replication regions will be located in Portugal (Alentejo), Andalusia (Spain), Region Sud (France) and Central Macedonia (Greece).
News & Events
Reach out to connect with the CisWEFE-NEX team, learn more about our project, and discover opportunities for engagement and participation as we work together to implement resilient solutions within the WEFE nexus.
