The BeMed+ project continues in Tunisia, led in the field by the Notre Grand Bleu association and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in a collective effort to reduce plastic pollution in Monastir.
Work with the University of Sousse began in March 2024, with the aim of supervising two Master’s students. Each of them is currently conducting an in-depth socio-economic analysis of two of the three sectors targeted by the project: waste management and the HoReCa sector. The aim is to assess the costs and benefits of a transition to a system that is less dependent on plastic. The two studies, conducted in close coordination with the IUCN and their university supervisors, are currently being finalised. IUCN is actively supporting the students to ensure that the results are directly useful for the development of future local action plans.
At the same time, a study was carried out by the RE-SWEEP consultancy to identify black spots for plastic leakage in Monastir. These were geolocated using qualitative and quantitative data collection and geographic information systems (GIS).
Initial analyses have identified several factors that explain the difficulties in implementing effective actions in the targeted sectors, namely waste management, HoReCa and sport. In the specific sector of waste management, the study highlighted significant shortcomings at the municipal infrastructure and strategic planning level. Another important point concerns the role of informal collectors, who are an essential component of the local system in Monastir. Their recognition and integration into future actions are identified as a strategic lever for improving plastic waste management.
A wide range of local stakeholders has been gradually mobilised. The analysis of critical plastic leakage points was presented during a webinar that brought together representatives from public bodies, research, the tourism sector, national environmental authorities and an international organisation active in waste management in Tunisia. Although the municipality of Monastir was unable to participate, it confirmed its interest in the next steps.
The next face-to-face workshop in Monastir will be a decisive moment to bring together all public, private and civil society stakeholders to finalise the action plan and its monitoring and evaluation framework.
Regular exchanges with local partners have ensured good coordination and maintained a strong commitment. All have reaffirmed their support for the project, which is considered a key step for environmental management and governance in Monastir.
The BeMed+ project benefits from the generous support of the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), the Aether Fund of the Foundation for Future Generations, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Didier and Martine Primat Foundation, the Audemars-Watkins Foundation and the France-IUCN Partnership.
