Project in brief The prevention of rural waste production and the recycling of material deriving from human activities in rural communities are currently not well developed in the Mediterranean area. Residuals from breeding and agriculture are often treated all together, even though differentiating waste would prove much easier than in the case of industrial or urban waste for instance. Due to the increase in waste generation and the consequences for local populations (health issues, pollution of soil and water resources), many Mediterranean territories share the need to develop sound environmental systems for the management of rural waste. LANDCARE MED project aims to provide the necessary tools and methodology for local authorities (i.e. rural villages) in order to develop integrated strategies and policies in the field of rural waste management. In particular, the actors involved in the project will implement a system where any kind of residual in livestock and agriculture related activities has a reasonable and efficient way of reusing. This objective will be achieved through a small-scale rural waste management approach and the exploitation of innovative technologies, which both allow to enhance the role of the farmer from source of the problem to key factor of its solution by changing its role from passive actor to active stakeholder. Specific objectives • To develop integrated strategies and policies in the field of rural waste management • To improve cooperation for exchanging good practices and experiences among local administrations in the field of environmental legislations and policies on rural waste management Expected Results: • Reinforced commitment of municipalities towards sound management of rural waste • Strengthened expertise of technical and administrative staff on sustainable rural waste management in the target areas (Municipality of Decimoputzu - Italy, Municipality of Medjez El Bab - Tunisia, Municipalities of Haret Saida andZebdin - Lebanon) • Improved involvement of citizens and farmers in the treatment of rural waste • LANDCARE MED cross-border network established for the diffusion of the good practices on innovative rural waste management for rural communities development • Awareness of consumers raised concerning the environmental footprint of the products/goods they buy • Rural waste reduced and sustainably recycled in target areas