The MedWetCoast project was proposed in 1993, in the MedWet context, by the Tour du Valat and the Conservatoire du Littoral, in order to develop joint activities in the Mediterranean Basin. The purpose of the project is to conserve the biodiversity of wetlands and coastal areas and to improve their management.

The Mediterranean states supported the development of this joint programme in order to institutionalise policies for sustainable development in wetlands and coastal areas.

Countries involved

 Albania: Narta, Llogara (Kanali, Orikumi, Karaburum)
 Egypt: Zaranik, Burullus, Matrouh sector,
 Lebanon: Ammiq, Ras El Aïn,
 Morocco: Moulouya, Beni Snassene, Nador (Sebka Bou Areg, Gourougou, le Cap des Trois Fourches)
 Palestinian Authority: Wadi Gaza
 Tunisia: Dar Chichou et Oued Abid, Korba et Kelibia, El Haouaria et Zembra.

In addition to the funds provided by the countries involved in the programme, the main sources of funding of the project come from organisations promoting the conservation of biodiversity: the Global Environment Fund and the "Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial". The overall budget is 15.6 M$US.

The project was launched in October 1999 and will last five years. Currently all countries are participating with the exception of Lebanon.

The MedWetCoast components

 At national level

In the 6 countries concerned, 15 wetland and coastal sites have been selected. The project is carried out by the governments/authority of each country, via the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Each country has undertaken to manage the sites, to protect their biodiversity which is of world importance and to use the experience gained as a model for future sites. National, institutional and technical structures will be required to develop new management policies and to adopt better legislation for the protection of the environment based on the experience derived from the pilot sites. The project will then lead to consultation between the different local and national players.

 At regional level

Its role is to promote the development of the project, between the different partners, via the regional facilitation unit at the Tour du Valat. The project is run by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and implemented by the Tour du Valat in close co-operation with the Conservatoire du Littoral and ATEN (Atelier Technique des Espaces Naturels). The regional level, through its position as mediator in the MedWetCoast project, has a dual vocation. Firstly to support the smooth running of operations by facilitating access to information. In this respect the preparation of communication aids will contribute to the creation of a MedWetCoast network and to the passing on of experience gained. Secondly, countries will also be able to rely on a scientific and technical platform to extend the project and build it in to a larger network of environmental management skills. In order to keep the project together at regional level, a steering committee has been set up with national and regional partners to direct the different activities.