Agriculture is by far the largest consumer of freshwater in the Mediterranean region.

Climate change and severe water scarcity are threatening food security.

Sustainable irrigation requires holistic management of the WEFE Nexus

The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus approach recognises the dynamic interdependence of the water, energy, food and ecosystems sectors, aiming to manage them sustainably.

NexusLabs will combine innovative technological solutions from the food, energy and water sector and apply them in 9 demonstration areas in 6 Mediterranean countries.

It will provide market-ready solutions to reduce water use and energy footprint in agriculture, while protecting the environment and enhancing resilience against climate change.

From Nexus Knowledge To Nexus Practice

NexusLabs aims to provide the stakeholder community with a comprehensive package of innovative solutions, tested and demonstrated in real-world Living Labs and integrated in novel holistic tools for scenario analysis and impact assessment (accounting for the full Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus), along with training and market preparation strategies for upscaling to larger areas and user communities.

From Nexus Knowledge To Nexus Practice

A portfolio will be developed of innovative technologies and strategies currently existing, in use, or within reach of Living Labs, covering a broad range of technologies (like smart farming, ICT, alternative water and energy sources) and strategies (like agroecology, other Nature-based Solutions).

Smart farming

Remote sensing combined with data from field sensors to generate spatial maps for in-field management zones, enabling variable rate irrigation and fertilisation

Nature-based Solutions

Exploring and integrating suitable NbS into agricultural management to preserve natural resources and exploit co-benefits.

Agroecological Practices

Evaluating and integrating successful agroecological best practices, which can address cross-sectoral challenges

WEFE index

A new composite index assesses the impact of different irrigation practices on WEFE components.

Advanced weather forecasting tool

An early warning system for crop hazards, empowers farmers to optimize planting & irrigation and manage resources.

Participatory System Dynamics Modelling

Simulates “what-if” scenarios and assess potential solutions in a dynamically evolving WEFE system.

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment

Evaluates the environmental, economic and social impact of NexusLabs proposed solutions.

Water & Energy footprint

Remote-sensing-assisted water accounting and footprint and land suitability assessments.

Alternative Water & Energy sources

Exploiting opportunities of using treated wastewater and renewable energy in irrigated agriculture

Implementation & evaluation in 6 Mediterranean countries

NexusLabs in numbers

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Mediterranean demonstration sites

Practical implementation to close the gap between theory and practice.

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Living Labs

Bringing together stakeholders from across the WEFE sectors.

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PRIMA project

Funded by the EU

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Consortium partners

Coordinated by UCLM (Spain)

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year project

1 April 2025 – 31 March 2028