MedRESOURCE is a pioneering project funded by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, and intertwines the cooperation of four countries: Italy, Palestine, Tunisia and Jordan. The initiative aims to provide sustainable management of wastewater sludge in the Mediterranean region. Read the interview with Dr. William Alkhoury of MedRESOURCE project partner the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), to delve deeper how the “Mediterranean initiative to Regenerate wastewater Sludges for Optimal Use toward a Circular Economy” aims to improve regional collaboration across Mediterranean countries on sludge-to-biochar conversion.
Could you please tell how NARC joined MedRESOURCE?
The MedRESOURCE partnership builds on previous successful cooperation under the MEDWAYCAP project, funded by the ENI CBC MED Programme, where NARC collaborated closely with the Palestinian Wastewater Engineers Group (PWEG). The strong professional relationship, mutual trust, and shared vision developed through that experience paved the way for the creation of the MedRESOURCE consortium, aiming to further advance circular economy solutions and sustainable resource management in the Mediterranean region.
What is NARC?
The National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) is the leading governmental institution in Jordan responsible for applied agricultural research, innovation, and advisory services. Its mandate focuses on enhancing food security, supporting rural development, and strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector.
With over seven decades of experience in field-based research, pilot projects, and national-level studies, NARC has developed a strong cooperation network involving more than 180 national and international partners. This extensive experience in international collaboration has positioned NARC as a reliable and active partner in regional initiatives.
What are the main environmental and agricultural challenges in your country?
Jordan faces one of the most severe water scarcity challenges worldwide, which has significantly influenced national strategies toward maximizing the use of non-conventional water resources, including treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
However, alongside water reuse, the country is facing a growing environmental challenge related to the management of wastewater sludge. In 2020, Jordan produced more than 105,000 tons of dried sewage sludge from 29 wastewater treatment plants, with projections indicating an increase to approximately 139,000 tons annually by 2035.
Currently, much of this sludge is either stockpiled at treatment sites or disposed of in unsanitary landfills. This practice poses risks to soil, groundwater, and overall environmental health, particularly through potential leaching into limited water resources. These conditions highlight the urgent need for sustainable and innovative sludge management solutions, such as pyrolysis-based technologies, which can transform sludge into valuable products.
Could you outline your main responsibilities and objectives within the project?
Within MedRESOURCE, NARC builds upon previous successful experiences in sludge-to-biochar conversion, particularly those developed in collaboration with GIZ and the University of Jordan. These earlier efforts demonstrated the feasibility of producing high-quality biochar through pyrolysis.
The primary role of NARC in the project is to validate and scale up this approach by assessing the agricultural performance of sludge-derived biochar. This includes evaluating its impact on soil quality, crop productivity, nutrient availability, and water retention capacity.
To achieve this, NARC will establish a biochar production unit utilizing sludge from Al Ramtha Wastewater Treatment Plant. The produced biochar will be applied and tested within a Living Lab, where field trials will be conducted under real agricultural conditions. The results will be systematically analyzed and shared with farmers, stakeholders, and policymakers to support informed decision-making and promote sustainable sludge reuse practices across the Mediterranean region.
Do you foresee challenges in coordination among project partners? What factors will facilitate effective collaboration?
Coordination in a multi-country project such as MedRESOURCE inherently involves complexity due to differences in institutional frameworks, regulatory environments, and operational procedures. However, the project benefits from strong foundations built through previous cooperation experiences among partners.
The establishment of a Project Steering Committee is a key governance mechanism that ensures regular communication, alignment of activities, and timely resolution of challenges. In addition, structured coordination tools, continuous dialogue, and knowledge exchange among partners contribute significantly to effective collaboration.
Capacity building activities also play an essential role in harmonizing approaches and ensuring that technical solutions are adapted to local contexts, which ultimately enhances the overall efficiency and impact of the project.
Which project activity do you expect to generate the greatest impact, and why?
The Living Labs are expected to generate the most significant impact within the MedRESOURCE project. These platforms allow innovative solutions to be tested and validated in real-life conditions, providing tangible evidence of their environmental and economic benefits.
In the context of Jordan, the Living Lab will demonstrate the conversion of wastewater sludge into biochar and its application in agriculture. This approach directly addresses the need for practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions that can be adopted by farmers and supported by policymakers.
By combining field demonstrations with capacity building and stakeholder engagement, the Living Labs will facilitate knowledge transfer, strengthen trust among stakeholders, and support the transition from pilot experimentation to broader implementation. This integrated approach is essential for advancing circular economy principles and ensuring long-term environmental resilience in the Mediterranean region.
Dr. William Alkhoury is a Jordanian scientific researcher holding a PhD in Natural Sciences (Applied Geology) from the University of Göttingen, Germany. He is currently working at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), the official research arm of the Ministry of Agriculture in Jordan, where he serves as a Project Manager for applied research initiatives. Based in Amman, Dr. Alkhoury contributes to advancing sustainable agricultural practices, resource efficiency, and innovation in Jordan’s agricultural sector.
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