Identifying high-priority restoration opportunities and interventions through participatory ROAM processes
Reviewing policies and plans supporting the restoration of degraded lands
Uptake and integration of policy recommendations
Building cross-sectoral partnerships
Partnership meeting and event
Huawei Spain
The implementation of this solution has only been possible thanks to a unique cross-sectoral partnership established in the framework of the Tech4Nature initiative in Spain. The partnership was composed of local authorities (Diputació de Barcelona), park technicians, rangers and managers (Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac), nature conservation experts (IUCN Med), IT company (Huawei), GPS specialists (Parés&Bosch), and camera monitoring specialists (Miranatura). The partnership is continuously expanding, and it is expected that research teams and universities will join the partnership in the near future, bringing in their expertise and experience.
In order to make a successful cross-sectoral partnership, the scope of involvement of each partner should be clarified from the very beginning. The local ownership of the solution is a fundamental factor to ensure its success in the long run.
Partners need to be engaged from the very beginning of the solution to ensure a true co-creation process. Nonetheless, the partnership needs to be open to eventual changes in its composition that can lead to further progress and improvements. The local ownership of the solution is what will ensure its long-term sustainability.
The skilled laboratory experts of AUT got extensive training in the specific sensitive PCR-based detection methodology in Germany (Karlsruhe) and Tirana (Albania). The methodology not only allows the detection of viruses and AMR, but also enabled the AUT to enhance the curricula for PhD students and researchers. Furthermore, results and information obtained from Albania extend the data bases of international institutions like WHO.
Capacity development and close exchange between experts and researchers of TZW and AUT imbedded into the GIZ water programme created the synergies between the sectors.
High-sophisticated trainings and international high-level exchange as well as intercultural and intersectoral tolerance generates win-win-situations.
Enhancement local laboratory diagnostic: Research – sophisticated Technology – wastewater-based monitoring (epidemiology)
The capacities of the Agricultural University Tirana's laboratories had been extended by the microbiological laboratory for wastewater-based monitoring on COVID-19, viruses and AMR with a PCR-based real-time detection method.
Close collaboration and knowledge transfer between TZW and AUT is one main important enabling factor as well as the provided budget (COVID-19 response) for the infrastructure of the laboratory by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
For the furnishing of the laboratory specific conditions had to be fulfilled, f. ex. furnitures, aeration systems, safety regulations to be respected, which were time consuming.
The Early Warning System is structured on three levels: the scientific level consisting of the participating water and wastewater utilities as basis, the political level with the Public Health Institute and the policy and strategic level with the inter-sectoral and inter-ministerial exchange The later were facilitated and national and international cooperations with research institutes and universities assisted.
Institutionalised communication and exchange are important for the intersectoral cooperation and collaboration. The political will for the implementation of the Early Warning System is elementary.
The timeline plays an important role for the implementation and continuation of the early warning system, initiated by the COVID-19 pandemics.
Early Warning System - a multi-block building solution
The implementation of Albania’s early warning eystem on viruses and AMR is based on processes of enhancement local laboratory diagnostics, capacity development (laboratory planning, training), knowledge transfer and the facilitation of intersectoral and inter-ministerial cooperation.
Enhancement local laboratory diagnostic: Research – sophisticated Technology – wastewater-based monitoring (epidemiology)
Training
Apart from international exchange and knowledge transfer, awareness of characteristics of the health and water sector and interfaces are relevant as well as the human factor to overcome silo-thinking and encouraging strong engagement. Trainings and exchange between skilled staff is elementary and the political will needed.
Information, sensitisation and awareness rising for all institutions involved in the early warning system, well described win-win-situations, and a regular transparent communication as trust building process are the basis for the success. The time required for the implementation shouldn't be underestimated.
