Introduction

Coca-Cola and Global Water Partnership Mediterranean launch an innovative programme to fight water shortage in Cyclades

Objectives and target audience

Project’s objectives: Confront the problem of water shortage in the Cyclades Islands and promote rational management of rain water for multiple purposes.

Target audience: The program will have a pilot implementation on the public buildings of five island municipalities in Naxos, Paros, Tinos, and two municipalities in Syros

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Financial Resources : “Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company”, in collaboration with the Mediterranean sector of the non-government oranization “Global Water Partnership”

Process

Installation of rain-water tanks, cisterns and underground water barriers

• Training seminars for local technicians and members of local technical services, on the methods of construction and maintenance of water collecting systems
• Actions for the increase of local consciousness on alternative techniques
• Educational programs in local primary and secondary schools, concerning the rational management of water and the importance of alternative techniques of using the available water resources

Results

In 2008 “Mission for Water” managed to:

• circulate 127.300 information brochures
• organize 15 events, including conferences, exhibitions and lectures in Attica and Thessaloniki
• collaborate with Greek Prefectures, Municipalities and Communities, Non-Government Organizations, Universities and one radio station.
• participate in various events that were organized by the Greek Ministries of Internal Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications, Environment & Public Works and Education.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The Aegean islands, especially Cyclades, are considered to be among the most problematic areas concerning water shortage.  The limited rainfalls, their geological structure, the scarce vegetation and the human interventions have resulted in an acute problem of water shortage, therefore the implementation of the program “Mission for Water” is expected to make a considerable contribution in water saving.
The program’s pilot Action Plan implementation on public buildings of five island municipalities is expected to create a best-practice model that will be promoted by the mass-media, in order to be widespread for the benefit of all local communities in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.
The measured results and the know-how aquired through the implementation of the pilot program will be made available to all island municipalities and will be presented in a series of international conferences.