Development Policy Foundation

As part of the “Climate-Resilient Tarsus” project, implemented under the European Union Climate Change Grant Program, Tarsus Municipality hosted a delegation from Municipality of Warka between April 9-12, 2026.

During the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed, technical meetings were held, and on-site inspections of green areas were conducted to evaluate climate-resilient practices.

A key highlight was the identification of a focal site for a stormwater garden, a low-lying, sloped area that regularly floods and naturally accumulates water, making it ideal for a nature-based solution that combines stormwater management with public green space.

Thanks to Tarsus’s Mediterranean climate, fertile soils, and strong agricultural base, the site is well-suited for planting native and climate-adapted species, including those with natural mosquito-repellent properties. Plants such as aromatic herbs and essential oil–producing species can thrive in these conditions, supporting biodiversity while enhancing user comfort in public spaces.

The planned site will help reduce flooding, curb erosion, enhance biodiversity with locally available plants, and create accessible greenery in an area lacking parks, while integrating natural mosquito-repellent vegetation as part of a multifunctional landscape design.

As the commercial and industrial center of Mersin, Tarsus continues to highlight agriculture as a key economic sector, improving productivity through modern and sustainable practices.

SeaClear2.0 will develop an integrated approach to address the full cycle of marine litter in a way that will help meet the objectives of the Mission to restore, protect and preserve the health of our oceans, seas and waters by 2030, in the context of the Mediterranean sea basin lighthouse of the European Commission.

Watch how SeaClear2.0 is developing real solutions to tackle marine litter and protect our oceans https://www.facebook.com/reel/842907552090731

Learn more about the project: https://www.seaclear2.eu/
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The Development Policy Foundation is happy to support the Municipality of Cimișlia in implementing the PPRRRCM – Plan for the Prevention, Reduction and Remediation of Pesticide Pollution in Cimișlia. Recent reports show that around 75% of wells in Moldova contain water exceeding contamination limits, making it unsafe for daily consumption. This highlights the urgent need for projects that address water and soil quality at the local level.

In Moldova, over 2,000 tonnes of pesticides are used annually, with an average of 1.6 kg per hectare and up to 4.6 kg/ha in certain regions. These figures show why Cimișlia and similar communities need targeted interventions to monitor contamination, reduce risks, and protect public health.

Through PPRRRCM, samples of water and soil are being collected and analyzed, leading to the creation of a pollution map and a local roadmap of concrete measures. These actions will ensure that Cimișlia can take informed steps to prevent, reduce, and remediate pesticide pollution, safeguarding the health of its residents and the environment.

The PPRRRCM project has indirectly benefited from funding by the European Union’s Horizon Europe innovation program, through the iMERMAID Open Call #1 – “Widespread demonstration of iMERMAID solutions in Associated Regions from the Mediterranean area,” issued and implemented under the iMERMAID project (Grant Agreement No. 101112824)

Legătura cu problema apelor potabile contaminate în Moldova.

Cele mai recente studii arată că în Republica Moldova aproximativ 75% de fântâni au apă potabilă ce depășește normele de contaminare, ceea ce le face periculoase pentru consumul uman regulat.

Această realitate ne arată cât de urgentă este intervenția în domeniul calității apei.
Proiectul PPRRRCM – Plan de Prevenire, Reducere și Remediere a Poluării cu Pesticide pentru Cimișlia răspunde exact acestei provocări: prin prelevări periodice de probe de apă și sol, analize detaliate și identificarea surselor de contaminare, vom putea determina dacă și în localitatea noastră există fântâni sau surse de apă potabilă afectate de pesticide.

Scopul este dublu: să protejăm siguranța alimentară și sănătatea publică, și să ne asigurăm că toate familiile din Cimișlia au acces la apă curată, conform standardelor europene și moldovenești.

Proiectul PPRRRCM a beneficiat indirect de finanțare din partea programului de inovare Horizon Europe al Uniunii Europene, prin intermediul Apelului Deschis iMERMAID #1 – „Demonstrarea extinsă a soluțiilor iMERMAID în regiunile asociate din zona Mediteranei”, emis și implementat în cadrul proiectului iMERMAID (Contract de finanțare nr. 101112824).