The NEX-LABS Nexus Joint Action Plan (NJAP) emerges as a strategic response to future Water, Energy, and Food (WEF) Nexus challenges within the European Union - Mediterranean Partnership Countries (EU-MPCs). Tailored to enhance the outcomes of Nexus Driven Open Living Labs (NDOLLs), the NJAP shifts the management focus from inputs to outputs, utilizing design thinking dynamics. This policy-oriented outcome aims to capitalize on the outputs generated during project activities to drive impactful change.

Roadmap for WEF Nexus Oriented NDOLLs: The NJAP serves as a roadmap, empowering countries to develop WEF Nexus-oriented NDOLLs. Its primary goal is to guide nations in overcoming obstacles that could impede the implementation processes crucial for addressing WEF Nexus challenges. To achieve this, the NJAP employs various analytical methods, including the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) analysis, and Strategic Orientation (SOR) analysis. These methods are deployed across different EU-MPCs to provide a comprehensive overview of the pillars and prerequisites necessary for establishing NDOLLs in diverse contexts.

Identifying Challenges and Setting Priorities: Through interviews and focus group discussions with partner countries and field experts, the NJAP identifies eight priorities to be addressed. Recommendations and actions are allocated, along with the identification of key stakeholders crucial for the implementation process. The analysis takes into account economic, social, legal, environmental, and political challenges, anticipating strategic priorities essential for the successful development of NDOLLs.

Strategic Analysis: SWOT, PESTLE, and SOR analyses are conducted in different EU-MPCs to offer a holistic view of challenges and prerequisites. These methods consider economic development, financial and human resources, and technological infrastructure, providing valuable insights for strategic planning.

Ranking Strategic Priorities: Building on previous efforts and desk research, the NJAP culminates in a strategic ranking of priorities based on value, effectiveness, importance, contribution, and feasibility. Each recommendation is assigned a timeline and potential impact, providing a clear framework for implementation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): The NJAP includes a set of Key Performance Indicators critical for monitoring and evaluating the plan's effectiveness. These KPIs enhance the adoption of the NJAP, assess the performance of the action plan, and guide efforts toward achieving the ultimate capacity of WEF Nexus NDOLLs.

This report lays the foundation for EU-MPCs to establish Living Labs addressing WEF challenges successfully. By ensuring sustainability and extension to other regions and countries, the NJAP stands as a transformative tool for tackling complex WEF Nexus issues in the years to come.

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