Path4Med Workshop in Paphos: Stakeholders Unite to Address Water and Environmental Challenges in Ezousa and Diarizos River Basins

On 6 December, the Path4Med project organised a participatory workshop in Paphos focused on the environmental and water-management challenges affecting the Ezousa and Diarizos river basins.

The event brought together local stakeholders, public authorities, experts, and sectoral representatives to exchange knowledge and identify priority needs in the region. The workshop opened with a presentation of the project’s objectives, highlighting the importance of integrated water management, nature-based solutions, and stakeholder engagement in strengthening environmental resilience in Mediterranean river basins. This provided a common framework for an open and constructive discussion.

Participants identified significant gaps in basic water and environmental infrastructure, including the absence of catchment basins, water-retention measures, and nature-based solutions such as riparian strips and vegetated buffer zones. The lack of coordinated hydrological planning and an integrated water-management strategy was also highlighted as a key challenge.

Concerns were raised about high water losses, low rainfall, limited water reuse practices, and pollution affecting surface and groundwater due to uncontrolled waste disposal and insufficient monitoring. The increasing impact of climate change, including droughts and extreme weather events, was recognised as an additional pressure requiring improved preparedness and long-term planning.

A strong emphasis was placed on the need for cooperation between public authorities, experts, and local actors to co-design realistic and applicable solutions. The insights gathered during the workshop will inform upcoming Path4Med activities, ensuring that future interventions respond to local priorities and contribute to sustainable water management and environmental resilience in the Paphos region.