Horizon 2020 organises training workshop in Ramallah

07-12-2011. Source: ENPI info centre

Increasing understanding of the complex and multidimensional challenges of Integrated Sustainable Waste Management was the main objective of a training workshop held in Ramallah between 22 and 24 November, with the support of the EU-funded initiative Horizon 2020. “The objective is to incorporate the information provided by the Horizon 2020 trainings in our day-to-day work. We need to move speedily towards the integration of sustainable waste management in Palestine. This is the huge challenge,” said the Deputy Chairman of the Environment Quality Authority, Jameel Mtour.

The event, organised within the framework of the Capacity Building/Mediterranean Environment Programme, aimed at developing trainees’ skills so that they are better-equipped to make decisions on Integrated Sustainable Waste Management options, with a special emphasis on appropriate technologies and methodologies.

The workshop brought together 23 high-level representatives and highlighted the main problems of waste management in the area. Solutions to address the most critical issues ranged from improved analysis and planning regarding technology needs for waste collection and recycling, the organization of municipal waste services, as well as the development of awareness raising programmes and methods of enhanced financial recovery.

As part of the workshop, a site visit was organised to Ramallah Municipality, two schools, the main dumping site of the city, and the premises of the Environment Quality Agency, illustrating the solid waste management efforts in the city. During the visit, trainees had the opportunity to acquire first-hand experience of ongoing efforts in waste management education, such as educational programmes in elementary schools involving microclimate projects, composting, in addition to education on general environmental principles.

Trainees also visited the non-sanitary landfill located in the vicinity of the city centre. Given that the landfill has reached full capacity, the urgent need for alternative solutions was discussed thoroughly, taking into account the implementation of the waste hierarchy.Horizon 2020 has mechanisms in capacity-building, research, monitoring and review that place the initiative in an excellent position to address the challenges it faces and ensure the efficient and effective use of the available resources. The inclusion of the Horizon 2020 Initiative as one of the six components of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) adds to the political impetus to address major environmental challenges.

Trainees also visited the non-sanitary landfill located in the vicinity of the city centre. Given that the landfill has reached full capacity, the urgent need for alternative solutions was discussed thoroughly, taking into account the implementation of the waste hierarchy.Horizon 2020 has mechanisms in capacity-building, research, monitoring and review that place the initiative in an excellent position to address the challenges it faces and ensure the efficient and effective use of the available resources. The inclusion of the Horizon 2020 Initiative as one of the six components of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) adds to the political impetus to address major environmental challenges.