MEDITERRANEAN SOS NETWORK

The initiative aimed at creating a framework for public dialogue with citizens and stakeholders on the sustainable water management in Greece in order to:

(a) further develop and enliven the debate over water resources,
(b) jointly elaborate concrete proposals laying down rules and procedures for the sustainable development and protection of water resources,
(c) ensure free access to this precious public natural resource.

• Decision makers (e.g. competent Ministries, Regional authorities, political parties, members of the National Parliament, etc)
• Institutions involved in water management
• Municipal Enterprises for Water Supply and Sewerage
• Research and Academic community
• Technical consulting and research companies
• Management Bodies of Protected Areas
• Professional Unions
• Banks
• Civil Society (NGOs, Citizens' movements)
• Citizens (Water end-users)

10 months

The initiative aimed at creating a framework for public dialogue with citizens and stakeholders on the sustainable water management in Greece. A special online platform (http://medsos.gr/platform) was created to facilitate the overall dialogue process. The identified stakeholders were asked to provide comments and input on the 20+1 MedSOS’ proposals. Furthermore, a number of targeted meetings with representatives of key stakeholders were held to get a more comprehensive picture of their views. Eventually, participated 36 individuals/representatives of bodies and institutions (universities, parties, companies, etc) in the platform and 262 comments were submitted. A synthesis of the results of the public consultation was held after five months and the original proposals reformed in order to incorporate issues of convergences but also to record points with deviations or additional comments. The restated proposals constitute now a final document which includes the positions of a wider range of stakeholders. Moreover, the proposals of the organization were updated and submitted to the relevant policy actors. The whole initiative was widely communicated during the World Water Day (22/3) with relevant articles in print and electronic media.

As always, MedSOS has been cooperated with representatives of universities, scientific and research centres, Municipal Enterprises for Water Supply and Sewerage, experts,  intsitutions and public bodies dealing with water management in Greece.

2 MedSOS employees on a regular basis. In addition, specialized personnel is involved in the main awareness raising activities organized by MedSOS in specific locations with special water management interest/needs.

National level (Greece)

The public dialogue had a considerable added value, since from the beginning there was direct and active participation of important water managemenet experts who shared their knowledge and expressed their opinions reacting with specific comments (more than 250) and documents in the invitation of the organization.

This action provided a great opportunity for direct public involvement and participation of interested parties in water management issues and also for the promotion of public dialogue in such a core issue for the organization.