Israeli stakeholders of the Jordan Valley gathered in Eilat between May 7th and 9th for a Living Lab workshop as part of the PRIMA funded EcoFuture project. The inspiring and intensive two-day workshop, organized jointly by the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Reichman University, aimed to advance climate adaptation and regional cooperation in the Jordan Valley. The gathering served as a living lab where participants from across sectors explored the interlinked challenges of the Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus, and worked towards co-developing practical steps toward a sustainable future.
The workshop opened with a presentation of the EcoFuture project and its pilot initiative. Participants then introduced themselves, highlighting how their areas of expertise align with the project’s goals. These personal insights begun setting the stage for dialogue between the workshop participants, as well as highlighting the necessity of cross-sectorial collaboration.
Key discussions explored energy and water usage in the Jordan Valley, led by representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Water Authority and the Emek HaMaayanot (Valley of the Springs) Regional Council. Stakeholders examined strategic frameworks for local development, considering both current pressures and future opportunities. Through group work, the participants mapped out challenges and identified gaps in the region’s response to climate and resource issues.
A highlight of the workshop was a field visit to the SeaNovation Innovation Center, AquaculTech, and Ardag, where participants learned firsthand about cutting-edge technologies in aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and circular water use. The visit reinforced the value of locally grounded innovation in building climate resilience.
Throughout the sessions, participants worked together to understand a variety of potential solutions to environmental and social issues faced locally and regionally, from the multitude of perspectives of the professionals in the room. This included looking at Nature Based Solutions (NbS), prioritizing metrics, and assessing potential interventions. Discussions focused on building consensus around actionable, cross-sectoral strategies, and defining next steps for stakeholder engagement. The workshop concluded with reflections on environmental cooperation across borders, particularly in the Gulf of Aqaba region where the workshop was taking place, emphasizing the importance of regional dialogue and shared environmental stewardship.
The Living Lab stakeholder meeting marked a key milestone in the EcoFuture initiative, showcasing how interdisciplinary collaboration and local knowledge are imperative for driving real progress toward a climate-adapted, equitable Jordan Valley.