The freshwater habitats of the Mediterranean support diverse human and animal communities. But these habitats are amongst the most stressed in the world. The arid conditions, climate change and human actions are combining to place these environments under great pressure, with profound consequences for people and for nature. 

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The region has a long history of human ingenuity in overcoming water scarcity. Through the millennia, people have interacted with nature to create unique habitats and landscapes. They have developed strong cultural and practical relationships with their streams, rivers and wetlands. The cultural heritage of the Mediterranean includes traditional water management systems and infrastructure. It includes diverse water management practices and technologies, skills and knowledge, stories and beliefs. This heritage has helped people to survive through the years and to thrive in difficult conditions. 

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We are working with communities around fresh water sources in Greece and the Balkans, and expanding our programme to other places in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. We are helping people to protect heritage relating to water. We are helping them to adapt it and integrate it with modern technologies and approaches in order to sustain freshwater ecological functions and maintain dignified livelihoods for themselves.