We are pleased to announce the successful launch of the Moroccan Living Lab under the EMPOWERMed project, held on June 17, 2025, in a hybrid event at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Ben Guerir, Morocco.
This meeting brought together EMPOWERMed consortium universities and key Moroccan stakeholders involved in the national Living Lab initiative. The collaboration included consortium partners including Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) as host and project coordinator, National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), and Ibn Zohr University (UIZ), alongside key Moroccan stakeholders – General Directorate of Hydraulics, Ministry of Equipment and Water (DRPE), Hydraulic Basin Agency of Sebou (ABHS), National School of Mines of Rabat (ENSMR), Irrigation and Agricultural Land use Planning Department (DIAEA), Bouregreg- Chaouia hydraulic Basin Agency (ABHBC), REGIONAL Directorate of Agriculture Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (DRA), and Directorate of Planning of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE-BO). The objective was to initiate dialogue, align on the project’s vision, and coordinate efforts toward co-designing innovative solutions for water scarcity management within the Moroccan context, using expertise of consortium partners and knowledge of national governmental agencies.
💧 About EMPOWERMed
EMPOWERMed (Enhancing Management of Water Scarcity through Proactive and Innovative Water Accounting Approaches in Mediterranean Regions) is a research project funded under PRIMA Section 2 call. It aims to improve the management of water scarcity in the Mediterranean through innovative water accounting approaches that integrate hydrological modeling, socio-economic analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
The project is focused on implementing demonstration activities and building Living Labs in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Turkey, promoting climate-resilient and sustainable water management practices.
🔹 Meeting Highlights – Living Lab Morocco
During this one-day session, participants engaged in:
✅ Overview of EMPOWERMed’s objectives and its relevance for Morocco’s water challenges
✅ Presentation of the Moroccan demonstration site and its specific water challenges
✅ Discussion of institutional roles, data availability, and coordination mechanisms
✅ Introduction to advanced modelling approaches and technical components such as SWAT modeling and DSS tool
✅ Planning of the Living Labs co-construction phase and stakeholder engagement process roadmap
We sincerely thank all participating institutions – DRPE, ABHS, DIAEA, ABHBC, ORMVAG, DRA, and ONEE-BO, for their engagement, valuable contributions, and commitment to supporting the implementation of EMPOWERMed objectives in Morocco.
👥 EMPOWERMed Moroccan Living lab
The EMPOWERMed project brings together a Mediterranean consortium of research institutions and experts. For the Moroccan Living lab, this lunch meeting united the Moroccan consortium partners with key national stakeholders to establish the framework for local implementation. The Moroccan academic Universities /Institutions is led by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) with Dr. Mohamed Ouarani, as coordinator, alongside the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), represented by Dr. Yassine Bouslihim, Dr. Lahcen Hssaini, Dr. Abdessamad Hilali and Mr. Samir Fakhor; Ibn Zohr University (UIZ), represented by Dr. Fatima Abdelfadel and Dr. Mohammed El Hafyani. These institutions collaborated with Moroccan governmental stakeholders including the Directorate of Irrigation and Agricultural Land Management (DIAEA), represented by Mr. Mohammed El Kossir, the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), with Mr. Abdeslam El Issami. Other key partners include Dr. Wafae El Harraki from the National School of Mines of Rabat (ENSMR), Mr. Ali El Bilali from the Hydraulic Basin Agency of Bouregreg and Chaouia (ABHBC), Ms. Ikram Benchbani from the Directorate of Water Research and Planning (DRPE), and Ms. Najlaa El Kozdali from the Regional Directorate of Agriculture (DRA). This Moroccan team combines academic expertise with operational knowledge to develop locally-adapted water management solutions in the region.
🔜 What’s Next?
The Moroccan team will now launch the Living Lab co-construction phase, initiate hydrological modeling and data collection, and support the development of EMPOWERMed’s regional tools and knowledge-sharing network.
Stay tuned as we continue to share more updates and results from this exciting initiative!
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