What we do

WATERVILL contributes to safer water supply in rural and mountainous Mediterranean regions by assisting communities in modernising their small and vulnerable water networks. Through collaboration among municipalities, associations, and research institutions, the project designs and tests smart, nature-based, and community-led solutions that reduce water losses and improve service reliability. By combining digital innovation, local engagement, and policy reform, WATERVILL builds the foundation for sustainable, climate-resilient water management that can be replicated across borders.

Partners contribute their diverse expertise — from local water governance and infrastructure improvement to policy development and community capacity building — ensuring that solutions are practical, adaptable, and rooted in real territorial needs. Together, they turn local challenges into shared Mediterranean opportunities for innovation and resilience.

Project overview

To achieve this, the project is organised into three main areas of work or work packages (WPs), which constitute the project work plan:

Understanding local needs and planning innovative solutions (WP1)

We start by analysing the situation in rural and mountain areas to understand why water is being lost and what challenges local communities face.

Based on this, we create tools and guidance to help municipalities make better decisions about their water systems, including digital (for example real-time water monitoring dashboards) and nature-based (such as restoring vegetation around springs) solutions.

This helps communities plan smarter and sustainable improvements.

 

Testing solutions on the ground (WP2)

Four pilot municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Teslic), Montenegro (Zabljak), North Macedonia (Bitola) and Slovenia (Ilirska Bistrica), then test these smart and nature-based solutions to reduce water losses and improve supply, following a decision-support system developed in WP1.

Local actors:

  • Work together in  groups
  • Install and monitor new solutions
  • Receive technical training
  • Organise events to share results

These pilots show what works in real conditions and help build capacity locally.

 

Share knowledge and replicate solutions (WP3)

Finally, lessons learned from the pilots are shared widely to benefit other municipalities across the Mediterranean region.

This is done through:

  • National learning groups in the four pilot countries
  • A Community of Practice bringing together experts
  • A practical e-learning course
  • Communication activities such as events, videos and online materials

This helps scale successful solutions and ensures impact beyond the pilot areas.

 

In a nutshell, WATERVILL combines research, local action, and regional cooperation to help Mediterranean communities modernise their water supply systems, reduce losses, and prepare for climate challenges, turning local experience into shared and widely replicable solutions for the entire region.