MAR2PROTECT has successful launched the Cape Flats LivingLab in South Africa during the last week. The event was proudly hosted by the Stellenbosch University Water Institute in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.
The Cape Flats LivingLab event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from academia, the public sector, and the private sector. Participants included key figures public government, agronomists, farmers, and other relevant parties.
The discussions at the event revolved around the successes and challenges in groundwater management within the Cape Flats Aquifer. Additionally, the event highlighted the innovative technologies and activities developed by MAR2PROTECT. The focus extended to exploring the role and future prospects of a MAR2PROTECT LivingLab in the local context.
MAR2PROTECT seeks to save the world’s groundwater from contamination through an innovative and holistic approach. This research project brings together two main strategies, the M-AI-R tool and LivingLabs, to create new approaches for safeguarding groundwater as it becomes more vulnerable in the face of climate change.
The project kicked off in December 2022 and will run for four years. It is funded by the Horizon Europe programme with a total cost of €4.143.681,25. MAR2PROTECT will usher in a new generation of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) that engages stakeholders and enhances both groundwater quality and quantity.
