Water and gender in practice: World Water Day through the lens of the Water-Oriented Living Labs

Every year on the 22nd of March, the World Water Day provides an opportunity to reflect on how water shapes our societies and how collective action can strengthen sustainable water management. The 2026 theme, Water and Gender Equality, invites us to look beyond technology and infrastructure and consider the social dimensions of water governance: who participates, who benefits, and how communities are engaged in shaping solutions.

Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) offer a powerful lens through which to explore these questions. As real-life experimentation environments, they bring together municipalities, researchers, companies, authorities, and citizens to co-develop solutions adapted to local contexts. Through their activities, WOLLs demonstrate how innovation in water management is not only about technological performance, but also about inclusiveness, community engagement, and collaborative governance.

This webinar brings together several Water-Oriented Living Labs to share their experiences from the ground. By presenting their local initiatives and reflecting on their engagement with stakeholders and communities, they will illustrate how water innovation can contribute to building more inclusive, resilient, and water-smart territories. In doing so, the session highlights how Living Labs translate broader sustainability ambitions into practical actions that create tangible societal value.