NOSTRUM-Dss is expected to provide contributions for reducing the gaps between science and real life, in order to provide Dss developers with insight into the language and the needs of policy makers (PMs) and stakeholders, and subsequently to provide PMs effective tools based on an integrated approach for problem solving in the context of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). In particular, some of the expected benefits of the Co-ordination Action are:

(i) to improve communication between science and policy;
(ii) to improve co-operation among Mediterranean institutions;
(iii) to support participatory planning for water resources management and to facilitate multilateral exchange of expertise and experiences of water management across the Mediterranean region in support to the creation of Dss tools more targeted to real needs and useful for decision making.

The ultimate tangible output of the Co-ordination Action will be a set of Best Practices Guidelines for the development and application of Dss tools for IWRM in the countries of Mediterranean basin.

The guidelines will be developed with the active participation of scientists, policy makers, and key stakeholders (such as small and medium enterprises, as well as user groups), through a structured sequence of actions aimed at favouring efficient exchanges of information, knowledge and experiences between the various components of the CA.

The establishment of durable links and long-term collaborations between the partners and representatives of the policy and academic institutions in the Mediterranean Area will be achieved through the support and early involvement of international institutions with long traditions in the Mediterranean: (ICS-UNIDO and CIHEAM-IAMB) and of a Centre of Excellence with focus on the Mediterranean Area (IDEAS/CESD).

Moreover, at the end of the Co-ordination Action, a monographic book on Dss tools in policy making will be published. In particular, this book is targeted to be used for teaching, training and capacity building.