Deadline: 22-Jun-2026
The MAENA project in Italy supports farmers in the Puglia region to adopt sustainable water management practices that improve irrigation efficiency and climate resilience. The project provides support through on-farm irrigation solutions, sensor networks, decision support systems, training, and access to resources on sustainable water cycle restoration. Funding support can reach up to €22,000 per beneficiary.
Overview
The MAENA project supports farmers in adopting sustainable water management practices in agriculture.
The project focuses on improving irrigation efficiency, conserving water resources, and strengthening climate resilience among farming systems in the Puglia region of Italy.
It is co-funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme 2021–2027 and aims to demonstrate practical approaches for restoring the small water cycle in the Mediterranean region.
Key Focus Areas
The MAENA project focuses on sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and water conservation.
Key focus areas include:
- Sustainable water management in agriculture
- Restoration of the small water cycle
- Improved access to water resources
- Climate change adaptation in farming systems
- Innovative irrigation management solutions
- Sensor networks for irrigation
- Decision support systems
- Farmer capacity building
- Water conservation practices
- Climate-resilient agriculture
- Inclusive participation in sustainable farming
- Sustainable agricultural development in Puglia
Purpose of the Project
The purpose of the MAENA project is to help farmers improve how they manage water in agricultural production.
The project aims to demonstrate how restoring the small water cycle can support agricultural water conservation and improve resilience to climate change impacts.
It also seeks to build farmers’ knowledge, skills, and access to tools that support more efficient and sustainable irrigation management.
Funding Support
Funding support under the MAENA project can reach up to €22,000 per beneficiary.
The support is intended to help eligible farmers and agricultural organisations adopt approved water management, irrigation, and capacity-building solutions linked to the project objectives.
Who is Eligible?
The initiative is open to farming actors operating in the Puglia region of Italy.
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual farmers
- Family farms
- Agricultural enterprises
- Farmer associations
- Cooperatives
- Producer organisations
Women-led and youth-led farms are particularly encouraged to apply.
Project Location
The programme is designed to engage farmers in the Puglia region.
The project contributes to wider Mediterranean efforts to improve agricultural water conservation and climate resilience through the Interreg NEXT MED Programme 2021–2027.
Support Pathways
The MAENA project offers two support pathways for farmers.
Pathway 1: On-Farm Irrigation Solutions
This pathway supports practical on-farm solutions that help farmers improve irrigation management.
It may include:
- Sensor networks
- Decision support systems
- Irrigation management tools
- Farm-level water monitoring
- Technology-enabled water efficiency solutions
This pathway is suitable for farmers seeking direct technical tools to improve irrigation decisions and reduce inefficient water use.
Pathway 2: Training and Resource Access
This pathway focuses on knowledge, capacity building, and access to resources.
It may include:
- Training on sustainable water management
- Guidance on water cycle restoration
- Capacity building for farmers
- Practical learning on water conservation
- Access to resources related to sustainable farming practices
This pathway is suitable for farmers who want to improve their knowledge and adopt better water conservation methods.
What the Project Can Support
The MAENA project can support activities that help farmers adopt sustainable water management practices.
Supported activities may include:
- Improved irrigation planning
- Use of irrigation decision support systems
- Installation or use of sensor networks
- Training in water conservation practices
- Sustainable water cycle restoration activities
- Climate adaptation practices in agriculture
- Capacity building for farmers and farmer groups
- Access to technical knowledge and resources
- On-farm demonstrations of water-saving approaches
The proposed activity should be directly connected to sustainable water management and climate resilience in agriculture.
Explanation of Key Concepts
Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture
Sustainable water management means using water efficiently and responsibly in farming.
It includes practices that reduce water waste, improve irrigation timing, protect water resources, and help farms remain productive under climate stress.
Small Water Cycle Restoration
The small water cycle refers to the local movement, retention, and reuse of water within a landscape.
Restoring the small water cycle can help improve soil moisture, reduce water loss, support local ecosystems, and strengthen resilience to drought and climate variability.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Climate-resilient agriculture refers to farming systems that can adapt to climate change impacts.
This may include better irrigation, water-saving technologies, soil moisture management, crop planning, and improved access to climate-smart knowledge.
Why It Matters
Agriculture in Mediterranean regions faces growing pressure from climate change, water scarcity, drought, and changing rainfall patterns.
Farmers need practical solutions that help them use water more efficiently while maintaining productivity and protecting natural resources.
The MAENA project matters because it combines funding support, technology, training, and capacity building to help farmers adopt sustainable water management practices in real farm settings.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains their farming context, water management needs, proposed support pathway, and expected benefits.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they operate in the Puglia region and fall under one of the eligible applicant types.
Eligible applicants may include individual farmers, family farms, agricultural enterprises, cooperatives, producer organisations, and farmer associations.
Step 2: Identify the Water Management Challenge
Applicants should clearly explain the water-related challenge they want to address.
This may include:
- Inefficient irrigation
- Limited access to water resources
- Drought pressure
- Climate-related water stress
- Lack of irrigation monitoring tools
- Need for better water conservation practices
- Need for training in sustainable water management
Step 3: Choose the Appropriate Support Pathway
Applicants should select the pathway that best fits their needs.
They may focus on:
- On-farm solutions using sensors and decision support systems, or
- Training and resource access for sustainable water cycle restoration practices
Step 4: Describe the Proposed Activities
The application should explain what the applicant plans to do with the support.
The description should include:
- Farm or organisation profile
- Proposed water management activity
- Tools or training required
- Expected changes in irrigation practice
- How the activity supports climate resilience
- How the project will improve water conservation
Step 5: Explain Expected Benefits
Applicants should clearly describe the expected outcomes.
Possible benefits may include:
- Improved irrigation efficiency
- Reduced water waste
- Better farm-level decision-making
- Improved climate resilience
- Stronger farmer capacity
- Better access to water management resources
- More sustainable agricultural practices
- Contribution to small water cycle restoration
Step 6: Highlight Inclusive Participation
Women-led and youth-led farms are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants from these groups should clearly highlight their leadership role and how the project will support inclusive sustainable agricultural development.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid unclear or incomplete applications.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying without operating in the Puglia region
- Not clearly explaining the water management challenge
- Choosing a support pathway without linking it to farm needs
- Failing to show how the project improves irrigation efficiency
- Not explaining climate resilience benefits
- Providing vague activity descriptions
- Not showing how the support will improve sustainable water management
- Ignoring the capacity-building aspect of the project
- Not demonstrating relevance to the small water cycle restoration objective
- Missing the opportunity to highlight women-led or youth-led participation where relevant
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be practical, farm-focused, and clearly linked to water conservation.
Useful tips include:
- Clearly describe the farm or agricultural organisation.
- Explain the current irrigation or water management challenge.
- Show how the project will improve water use efficiency.
- Connect the proposed activity to climate change adaptation.
- Choose the support pathway that best fits the farm’s needs.
- Explain how sensors, decision support systems, or training will be used.
- Highlight expected results in simple and measurable terms.
- Show commitment to adopting sustainable practices.
- Emphasize inclusive leadership if the farm is women-led or youth-led.
- Keep the proposal focused on practical agricultural water management outcomes.
FAQ
1. What is the MAENA project?
The MAENA project is an initiative in Italy that supports farmers in adopting sustainable water management practices to improve irrigation efficiency and climate resilience.
2. Where is the project implemented?
The project supports farmers operating in the Puglia region of Italy.
3. How much funding support is available?
Funding support can reach up to €22,000 per beneficiary.
4. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include individual farmers, family farms, agricultural enterprises, farmer associations, cooperatives, and producer organisations operating in Puglia.
5. Are women-led and youth-led farms encouraged to apply?
Yes. Women-led and youth-led farms are particularly encouraged to apply.
6. What are the main support pathways?
The project offers two pathways: on-farm solutions using sensor networks and decision support systems, and training with access to resources on sustainable water cycle restoration practices.
7. What is the main goal of the project?
The main goal is to help farmers improve agricultural water conservation, restore the small water cycle, and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts.
Conclusion
The MAENA project provides important support for farmers in Puglia who want to improve irrigation efficiency, conserve water, and adapt to climate change.
With funding support of up to €22,000 per beneficiary, the project helps farmers access technology, training, and resources for sustainable water management. Strong applications should clearly explain the farm’s water challenges, selected support pathway, expected benefits, and contribution to climate-resilient agriculture in the Mediterranean region.
For more information, visit CIHEAM Bari.