PRIMA – Section 1 –Thematic Area 1-Water Management in the Nexus – Topic 1.1.1-2026 (IA): Decentralised Brackish Water Desalination for Climate-Resilient and Resource-Efficient Mediterranean Agriculture
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area is the most ambitious joint programme to be undertaken in the frame of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
The overall objective of the PRIMA programme is to build research and innovation capacities and to develop knowledge and common innovative solutions for agro-food systems, to make them sustainable, and for integrated water provision and management in the Mediterranean area, to make those systems and that provision and management more climate resilient, efficient, cost-effective and environmentally and socially sustainable, and to contribute to solving water scarcity, food security, nutrition, health, well-being and migration problems upstream.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
This topic aims to improve the cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and agricultural applicability of brackish water desalination systems, through solutions co-designed with farmers and adapted to local agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions.
The use of digital monitoring and optimisation tools (e.g., IoT, Digital Twins, AI) is encouraged where this improves performance or reduces operating costs.
Detailed Call Description
Projects are expected to address at least three of the following activities:
- Develop and pilot decentralised; environmentally sustainable low-cost brackish water desalination systems specifically tailored for agricultural reuse.
- Test and validate renewable-energy-powered desalination units in different agro-ecological contexts, ensuring energy efficiency and seasonal adaptability
- Assess lifecycle impacts (environmental, economic, and social), including carbon footprint, soil health, cost–benefit analysis, and WEFE Nexus indicators.
- Produce guidelines and toolkits for the design, implementation, and scaling of sustainable desalination solutions for agricultural use, adaptable to various local contexts.
While emphasis may be placed on demonstration, projects must establish a clear foundation for replication and scaling across Mediterranean contexts. Proposals are expected to demonstrate economic and financial viability, including cost-effectiveness, affordability for smallholder and peri-urban farmers, and scalable business and financing models, with engagement of relevant market actors where appropriate.
In line with the Innovation Action award criteria, proposals will be assessed on the credibility of their market uptake and impact pathways, including the meaningful involvement of SMEs. Projects should also include an environmental impact assessment, with particular attention to brine management and ecosystem protection. In light of the specific aims and expected impacts of this topic, PRIMA encourages applicants to additionally include KPIs related to energy use, operational costs, brine management, and farm-level adoption, as these indicators can significantly strengthen monitoring and support the effective implementation of decentralised desalination solutions.
Proposals should adopt a Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)17, ensuring that all key actors—end users, practitioners, SMEs, technology providers, researchers, and competent authorities—are meaningfully involved throughout the entire project lifecycle. This includes the definition of needs, co-design of solutions, testing and validation in real contexts, interpretation of results, and formulation of recommendations. Living Labs18 are encouraged as a framework for participatory co-design and iterative adaptation.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
- Thematic Area 1-Water management in the Nexus: The total indicative budget for the topic is €10.815 million.
PRIMA estimates that a contribution of around €3.6 million with a project duration of 36 months would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
Thematic Categories
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Other Beneficiaries
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Legal entities established in a PRIMA Participating State or created pursuant to Union law.
- The following EU Member States (MS): Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, including the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to these Member States.
- The following Third countries associated with Horizon Europe (AC): Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, and Turkey.
- The following Third Countries not Associated with Horizon Europe (TC): Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Algeria.
Participants from countries not listed above, may still participate as associated partners in PRIMA projects, but they shall not be eligible for funding.
For Innovation Actions (IAs) independent legal entities, each established in a different PRIMA Participating State (by the time of grant agreement signature) out of which:
- at least one must be established in an EU Member State or a third country associated to Horizon Europe and not being a third country bordering the Mediterranean (MPC) and
- at least one must be established in a third country bordering the Mediterranean Sea (MPC)
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
Ali Rhouma : ali.rhouma@prima-med.org