Transformation of the Waste Sector towards a Waste-Energy Nexus (TWENex)

Background 

The transformation of the waste sector towards a waste-energy nexus in the Southwest Indian Ocean region (TWENex) is an action that facilitates the development of a waste-to-energy ecosystem within the Indian Ocean region, while recognising and addressing local and sub-local specificities. 

In December 2021, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) signed a contract with the European Union for the implementation of the project “Transformation of the waste sector towards a waste-energy nexus in the South West Indian Ocean region (TWENex)” for a duration of 42 months. The IOC with the MRIC as main collaborator was awarded EUR 2.4 M for the implementation of the project. The main objective of this initiative is “Inclusive R&I environment enabling the transformation towards a sustainable management of the waste value chain and production of energy from waste in the western Indian Ocean islands” and targets Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. 

The specific objective(s) are as follows: 

• SO1: Improved knowledge on trends in the waste value chain and the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) sector  

• SO2: Enhanced collaboration between the public and private sector along the waste value chain

• SO3: Research centres, universities, grass-roots organisations, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) developing and improving innovative technologies along the waste value chain  

• SO4: Innovative technologies along the waste value chain adopted by the public and private sector  

• SO5: Updated public policies on promoting the development and utilisation of innovative and sustainable technologies in the waste value chain and the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) sector 

The role of the MRIC is to provide technical assistance at national and regional level as consortium for this project. To that end, a multi-talented team has been constituted to service the project. 

 

Participation in National Focal Point meeting in Madagascar 

A meeting of the TWENex National Focal Points was held in the Madagascar on the 16th of November 2022. The main aim of the meeting was to present the project, the governance mechanism and their respective attributions to the multipliers who are the key actors of the project. 

This meeting was an important echelon in setting up a project management committee (Comité de pilotage, CoPil) consisting of representatives of national focal points and others national and regional co-opted institutions. 

 

Given the MRIC’s role as partner (consortium), two staff of the Council, namely, Prof. Theesan Bahorun (Executive Director) and Mr. Koushul Narrain (Research Assistant) participated in the meeting.