Our story

Our journey begins under the leadership of El legado andalusí, a cultural foundation under the Regional Ministry Culture and Sport of Andalusia (Spain). With the support of the Council of Europe and extensive experience in EU cooperation –having participated in over 25 projects across programmes such as ENI CBC Med, Interreg Euro-MED, and Erasmus+– El legado andalusí lays the groundwork for a strong and impactful initiative. Building on its leadership in strategic tourism governance projects like BEST MED (Interreg MED Program) and Dialogue4Tourism (D4T), El legado andalusí envisions AQUAMAN Project as a practical and collaborative response to sustainable water use in tourism-dependent regions.

Joining this effort, the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) brings its international and intergovernmental expertise, connecting AQUAMAN to a broad network across 17 countries and major institutions such as the UN and the Council of Europe. As a partner in D4T, EPLO strengthens AQUAMAN’s positioning within the Euro-MED policy dialogue and contributes to the Interreg Euro-MED Results Amplification Strategy to maximize impact. National level technical assistance: Conduction of more than 200 Technical Assistance projects since 1995 supporting reform and processes in over 70 countries, proving EPLO’s strong competence to support the MED countries’ transition towards sustainable tourism.

Environmental stewardship is reinforced by Small Islands Organisation (SMILO), a dynamic NGO supporting small islands in achieving sustainable development. Through its Sustainable Island label, SMILO offers valuable experience in integrated resource management, biodiversity, and community-led governance –elements at the heart of AQUAMAN’s mission. Based in Marseille, SMILO supports small islands of less than 150 km² in management of water & sanitation, waste, energy, biodiversity, landscapes and heritage. It gained expertise in local governance and sustainable development, gaining international recognition as an observer NGO for the UN Environment Programme and a partner of UNESCO in 2023. It has experience on EU projects like ISOS+, REMEDIES, Sustainable small islands initiative etc.

Academic excellence plays a central role in AQUAMAN’s development. The University of La Laguna (ULL, Spain) contributes a multidisciplinary approach to water and tourism research, drawing on its leadership in EU-funded projects focused on resource management and digital innovation in hospitality. ULL has a strong track record in interdisciplinary research, which is crucial for addressing the complex issues of water scarcity & sustainable tourism. ULL can leverage its expertise in environmental science, engineering, social sciences & economics to provide holistic solutions. ULL has been actively involved in numerous EU-funded projects, demonstrating its ability to manage and execute large-scale international collaborations. Current relevant experience of the research team includes projects related to water and tourism management in touristic dominated islands…