NAWAMED, a project funded under the ENI CBC Med Programme (the predecessor of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme), has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 REGIOSTARS Awards, the European Commission’s annual competition that highlights the most impactful and inclusive EU-funded regional development projects. Chosen among a record number of 266 applications from across Europe, NAWAMED was recognised under the “Green Europe” category for its innovative work in sustainable water management and its contribution to advancing cross-border cooperation in the Mediterranean. More specifically, NAWAMED (“Nature Based Solutions for Domestic Water Reuse in Mediterranean Countries”) implemented nature-based solutions in community facilities, including schools and universities in Itay, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia, to turn buildings into water “producers” rather than mere “consumers”.

Thanks to the deployment of green walls and façades, NAWAMED has demonstrated the huge potential of nature-based solutions for treating and reusing grey water, a crucial issue amid rapidly increasing water scarcity across the Mediterranean region. These installations not only enhance building aesthetics and contribute to biodiversity but also engage decision-makers, professionals, and youth in building a sustainable future. The short film “Gocce di Rugiada” (“Drops of Drew”), awarded in different international film festivals, captures the project journey, inspiring viewers by nurturing their eyes, minds, and souls through cinematic storytelling.

NAWAMED and the other finalists in the REGIOSTARS Awards will pitch their projects in front of a jury on 14 October in Brussels during the 23^rd  European Week of Regions and Cities. In addition, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite project in the Public Choice Award. The vote will begin 2 September and closes on 15 October at midday on this page.