In the framework of the Med4Waste project, more than 50 participants -15 of those MedCities members- took part in the project’s seminar entitled: “Towards sustainable models of local governance for integrated and circular policies for urban waste management” in Mahdia, Tunisia.

Almost all MedCities Tunisian members and five Libyan guest municipalities, apart from other Tunisian municipalities of the area, participated in the event that aimed at disseminating the main lessons learned and results of the Med4Waste project in Tunisia and discuss new governance models for integrated and circular urban waste management policies.

In this sense, the mentoring program run by MedCities in Mahdia and M’Saken was presented. This program has allowed these two Tunisian municipalities to develop, in the case of M’Saken, and improve, in the case of Mahdia, a Municipal Waste Management Plan (“PCGD” in French). The program also includes the implementation of a pilot action aligned with the plan development, taking part in an international study visit in a city from another ENI project that has implemented a solution to enhance their waste management system, and developing a social entrepreneurship program for 2 local SMEs and start-ups tackling local challenges on waste management.

Ms. Samira Laabidi, Director General of the Ministry of Home Affairs gave the keynote speech on the challenges of waste management and inter-municipal cooperation in Tunisia.

Following the keynote speech, two round tables were organized. The first one, entitled “Integrated municipal waste management planning – a circular approach” included the presentation of the PCGD of Mahdia, M’Saken, and Bizerte, followed by an animated discussion on the monitoring and evaluation, challenges and good practices in waste management planning.

The second session, entitled “Circular economy, sustainable governance of resources and waste management – Success stories implemented in Tunisia”, included the presentation of the ENI CBC Med project experiences in Tunisia. Particularly the CLIMA project experience on organic waste management in Mahdia, the MED-Ina project experience on zero waste public policy in La Marsa, and the INNOMED-UP project experience on the promotion of waste recovery in the circular economy through innovation and education for creative industries in Tunis. The discussion raised up interesting topics like the role of the private sector and civil society in circular economy models and/or how to strengthen the recovery of organic waste in Tunisia.

To close up the seminar held on the 26th of September, participants visited the organic waste composting unit inaugurated recently in Mahdia thanks to the CLIMA project.