Happening right after the European Elections, this year’s edition of Water Innovation Europe 2024 is all about recognising the crucial role of water for bolstering the European economic competitiveness, and the urgent need for investments to prevent economic downturns due to water crises.
For the first time, the European Environment Agency recognises water as a cross-sectoral challenge in the first Climate Risk Assessment Report calling upon a comprehensive approach towards water-smart management, while the Letta report emphasises that utilities need investment to ensure water services. Similarly, nearly 70% of companies responding to a CDP survey acknowledged the business risks associated with water challenges.
In partnership with the EU Green Week, Water Europe kicks off its landmark event by addressing the socio-economic value of water with the publication of the new Water Europe’s report. Following the joint letter of 30 organisations calling for the release of the Water Resilience Initiative and the EU Blue Deal of the European Economic and social Committee, we will also discuss the related risks and opportunities for the different economic actors.
The discussion will continue into the Gala Dinner, where innovative solutions will take centre stage with the presentation of five annual awards, offering a perfect opportunity for casual networking. The second day focuses on the implementation of circular water solutions and unveils the second edition of the Living Labs atlas of Water Europe. The EU’s approach must embody the principle of “more for less”, as reiterated this month by the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024. It is time to unlock water reuse!
Research and Innovation play a key role in the European competitiveness and strategic autonomy, requiring collaborative instruments such as the Water-oriented living labs as well as circular processes to build a water-smart economy!
Lastly, you will have the opportunity to attend one of the three parallel sessions about the skills agenda in the water sector, nature-based solutions, and international water dialogue.
The ZeroPollution4Water Cluster Workshop aims at connecting policymakers and project stakeholders for collaborative dialogue and knowledge sharing. The workshop explores the intersection of policy development and project practises from the experience of the case studies of the ZP4Water Cluster sister projects. The event features the Inventory of the case studies from ZP4Water Cluster sister projects, offering insights into effective strategies and the first Policy Brief of the Cluster on “Preventing groundwater contamination and securing drinking water quality”.
Agenda
Opening & Welcome (5min)
Key-note speech (10 min)
- Arnoldas Milukas, Head of Unit “Biodiversity, circular economy and environment “, REA
ZP4Water Cluster first Policy Brief presentation (15 min)
- Loïc Charpentier, Water Innovation Policy Manager, Water Europe & co-leader of the Policy WG of the ZP4W Cluster
Followed by Q&A.
ZP4Water Cluster Case Studies Inventory presentation (20 min)
- Margarete Remmert-Rieper, Deputy Head of Department Consultancy and Competence Development, TUTECH Innovation GMBH
Followed by Q&A.
Presentation of key findings from sister projects selected case studies (25 min)
Moderator to be confirmed.
Followed by Q&A.
Coffee Break (25 min)
Cross-interviews: Connecting policy insights with case studies experiences (40 min)
Moderator to be confirmed.
Followed by Q&A.
Closing Remarks and Next Steps (10 min)
- REA representative
- Andrea Rubini, Director of Operations, Water Europe
Welcome speech - Hans Goossens, President of Water Europe.
This session will demonstrate the socio-economic value of water to society and its contribution to achieving other strategic EU objectives including energy transition, circular economy, EU strategic autonomy. It will be also the opportunity to discuss its financial perspective and required investments to bolster the EU competitiveness, the single market, and Research & Innovation.
Agenda:
Introduction (5min)
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Presentation of the new Study on the Socio-Economic Value of Water (20 min)
– Ilona Kirhensteine, Associate Director, Policy and Economics, WSP
Panel Discussion (40 min)
Moderator
– Magdalena Rzeczkowska, Director, Federacja Przedsiębiorców Polskich Brussels office
Panelists:
Mirjam Wolfrum, Head of Multilevel Governance, CDP
Jaap Feil, Managing Partner, Water footprint
Ilja Rudyk, Senior Economist, Chief Economist Unit, European Patent Office
Followed by Q&A.
Calling for a new EU water framework, Letta’s report opened the regulatory box of the water policy. With representatives of different economic sectors, the panel discussion will discuss the regulatory achievement of the last five years and explore the new regulatory challenges that the Commission will have to tackle in the next five years to achieve a water-smart economy.
Agenda:
Introduction (5min)
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Keynote: the new EESC opinion on the best practices from the industrial sector (20 min)
– Pietro de Lotto, Chairman of the CCMI, EU Economic and Social Committee
Panel Discussion (40 min)
Moderator
– Nicole Couder, Vice-president Public Affairs, Suez
Panelists:
Nathalie Hemeleers, Director, Solar Impulse Foundation
Arthur Guischet, Deputy Secretary General, EU Water Association
Patrick Pagani, Deupty Secretary General, Copa-Cogeca
Followed by Q&A.
Moderator
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Panelists:
– Marco, Indigne, CEO, Hydroko
– Vangelis Balokas, Vice President, IANIC
– Biniyam Sishah, Scouting Water R&D Opportunities Senior Consultant, RINA
Followed by Q&A.
During the Garden Party, innovative solutions will take centre stage with the presentation of five annual awards, offering a perfect opportunity for casual networking.
Keynote speaker
Announcement of the Water Innovation Europe Awards 2024
Welcome – Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Keynote speech – André Viola, Member of the EU Committee of Regions and rapporteur for the opinion: Towards a resilient water management to fight climate crisis within an EU Blue Deal (video)
With its new Atlas of Water-Oriented Living Labs, Water Europe showcases good collaborative practices in research and innovation. The panel – composed of local and regional players – will share their experience about the implementation of the water acquis as well as explore the solutions to make Europe water-smart.
Agenda:
Presentation of the Blue Book on Water Europe LivingLabs
– Wim van Vierssen, Past vice-president of Water Europe, Senior Strategist Dareius
Panel Discussion
Moderator:
– Andrea Rubini, Director of Operations, Water Europe & Coordinator Pillar D, Water4All
Panelists:
– Luzette Kroon, Chair Wetterskip Fryslân
– Georgios Sachinis, Director of Strategy and Innovation, EYDAP
– Bernard de Potter, Administrator General, Flemish Environment Agency
– Inge Genné, Programme Manager Water, Vito
Water-resilient infrastructure against floods and droughts is not enough. A water-smart economy requires water sustainability building upon the untapped opportunities of circular economy. The panel discussion will spotlight innovative solutions and best practices from the Business and research fields.
Agenda:
Presentation – Presentation of the WE White Paper on water-smart industry
– Geoff Townsend, Industry Fellow, ECOLAB & Vision Leadership Team water-smart industry, Water Europe
Panel Discussion
Moderator:Hans Goossens, CEO, de Watergroep, President of Water Europe
Panelists: Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Corporate Responsibility & Public Affairs Officer of Ragn-Sells/EasyMining Gerard van den Berg, Coordinator, ULTIMATE project & Vision Leadership Team Circular Water, Water Europe Veronica Manfredi, Director Zero Pollution...
– Richard Connor, Editor in Chief of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)
– Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe.
Please note that this event is in parallel of 2 other side events – This year, the International Water Dialogue will zoom on partnerships and the achievement of SDG 6 and its associated objectives within the framework of the 2030 Agenda.
Agenda
Opening Session (10 min)
– Durk Krol, Executive director, Water Europe
– David Smith, WG Water Beyond Europe leader, WE&B
Keynote – The significance of International Cooperation for a Water Resilient World (20 min)
– Danica Ramljak, Senior Science and Innovation Consultant, World Bank
Cross-interview (15 min)
Interviewer Ela Daci, IHE Delft
– Arnaud De Vanssay, Team Leader Water, DG INTPA, European Commission
– Andrea Tinagli, Head of Division, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Principal Advisor, UfM
Panel discussion 1: Approaches to international cooperation on water (40 min) Moderator: Gaetano Casale, IHE Delft Speakers: – Richard Hardiman, Team leader, EU-China Cooperation on Water – Themba Gumbo, CAP-Net – Laura Sustersic, GIZ Project...
Panel discussion 2: The practical implementation of international partnerships cooperation on water (40 min) Moderator: Andrea Rubini, Director of Operations, Water Europe Speakers: – Gonzalo Meschengieser, Argentine Chamber of Water (CAA) – Richard Elelman,...
Young Water Professional Wrap-up
– Caro Mooren, KWR
– Henry Amorocho Daza, IHE Delft
Closing
– David Smith, WG Water Beyond Europe leader, WE&B
Please note that this event is in parallel of 2 other side events – The workshop aims to celebrate the activities and communities of the past 5 years who effortlessly work together on the integration on a human centric approach to Water-Smart Society: the Working Group Human Capital of Water Europe, European Water Junior Programme (EJWP) alumni and participants and connected projects and partners.
Agenda
Welcome & Introduction (30 min)
Moderation by Naomi Timmer, WG Leader Human Capital, CEO of H2OPeople.
– Loïc Charpentier, Water Policy Manager, Water Europe & Participant EJWP1
The agenda works along three pillars: Knowledge Exchange & creation; Personal & professional development and Networking.
Check in game and setting the scene (15 min)
Workshop session 1 – celebrating past 5 years (45 min) With the opportunity to meet, learn and work with: Lego Serious Play by Naomi Timmer, WG Leader Human Capital, CEO of H2O...
Break & posters/ table knowledge exchange on past projects & memory lane (30 min)
Workshop session2 – dream session – up to the future (45min) With the opportunity to meet, learn and work with: Lego Serious Play by Naomi Timmer, WG Leader Human Capital, CEO of...
Conclusion and follow up (15 min) Moderation by Naomi Timmer, WG Leader Human Capital, CEO of H2O People. Ira-Adeline Simionov, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati (UGAL), Coordinator SKILLS4Water, Participant EJWP7 Durk...
Please note that this event is in parallel of 2 other side events.
This workshop aims at initiating a debate about future scenarios of the urban and rural water systems including the promotion of Grey Green infra solutions for a water-smart and extreme conditions resilient Europe. During the workshop, we will also facilitate a conversation with panelists and the audience to pave the way for strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration and a shared vision on the future water infrastructure.
Welcome (10 min)
– Victor Beumer, Vision Leadership Team on hybrid grey-green infrastructure.
Part 1 – What are Grey-Green scenarios and Why they are needed (20 min) Moderator: Dirk van der Stede, Senior Expert water & transitions Speakers: Prof. dr Maarten Gheysen, Department/Faculty of Architecture “Scientific view...
Coffee Break
Part2. How to achieve Grey-Green Scenarios (30 min)
Discussion with the audience and panellists (extended with Dr. Wouter Igodt, director, HelloWater)
Conclusion (10 min)
– Victor Beumer, Vision Leadership Team on hybrid grey-green infrastructure.
Members who register for Water Innovation Europe 2024 will get the information accordingly.
You can find below the allocation of the Working Groups per room. The coffee breaks and lunch will be at 10.30, 12.00, and 14.30.
Room 1
Water & Industry WG・09:30 am – 10:30 am・June 19, 2024
Water Beyond Europe WG・11:00 am – 12:00 pm・June 19, 2024
Room 2 Renewable Energy Desalination WG・09:30 am – 10:30 am・June 19, 2024 Water and Zero Pollution WG & Water & Public Health WG・11:00 am – 12:00 pm・June 19, 2024 Water Sensors and Tools WG・01:30 pm – 02:30 pm・June 19, 2024 Resource Recovery WG・03:00 pm – 04:00 pm・June 19, 2024
Room 3 Water and Sustainable Agrifood Systems WG・09:30 am – 10:30 am・June 19, 2024 Human Capital WG・11:00 am – 12:00 pm・June 19, 2024 Water & Biodiversity WG meeting・01:30 pm – 02:30 pm・June 19
CIRSEAU Cluster – The CIRSEAU cluster consists of five sister projects (granted within the H2020 call topic CE-SC5-04-2019 “Building a water-smart economy and society”) demonstrating the feasibility of a water-smart economy and society.
The ICT4Water cluster is a hub for EU-funded research and innovation projects on ICT applied to water management. Currently, over 60 projects are members of the cluster. These are both ongoing projects and projects that were members of the cluster before their completion.
Welcome & introduction (30 min)
Durk Krol, Director Executive, Water Europe
Bertrand Vallet, Policy officer, DG RTD
Vasileios Tyriakidis, Project officer, REA
Lydia Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia, Research, KWR
Showcases from mature, finishing and recently finished projects thematically grouped by the (most) relevant Action Group.
Chairing: Lydia Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia (KWR)
Enabling Data Sharing Action Group: Water Data Management Ecosystem and Enabling Data Sharing through FIWARE (20 min) – WATERVERSE: Water Data Management Ecosystem (WDME) – The Concept. (Gerasimos Antzoulatos -CERTH) – WATERVERSE:...
Intelligent and Smart Systems Action Group: Advances in Artificial Intelligence and harnessing the potential of Digital Twins for the Water Sector (10 min and 20 min after the coffee break) –...
coffee break (30 min)
– WATERVERSE and DIGIWATER: Leveraging the potential of water digital twin and water analytics tools in Limassol-Cyprus. George Millis (PHOEBE) – ARSINOE :Digital twin for the impacts of flooding to critical...
Critical Infrastructure Protection Action Group: Assessments for Contamination events, disruptions to services due to natural hazards, and stress testing for cyber-physical threats. (30 min) – PATHOCERT: PathoINVEST: Waterborne Pathogen Contamination Investigation...
Actor Engagement and Co-creation AG: Immersive experiences and serious gaming for engagement and raising awareness. (10 min and 10 min after the lunch) – NEXTGEN: The NEXTGEN serious game for water...
lunch time (80 min)
– Multiple projects (NEXTGEN, PATHOCERT, ARSINOE iWAYS, ULTIMATE , iWIDGET, B-WaterSmart) Immersive experiences with Digital Tools (Ilias Karachalios – National Technical University of Athens)
Business Models Action Group- Circular economy tools for a water smart industry (20 min) – DEEP PURPLE: Conversion of diluted mixed urban bio-wastes into sustainable materials and products in flexible purple...
Policies Action Group- Hotspots and vulnerability to climate change, assessment of potential future environmental policies (30 min) – WATERVERSE: Developing a qualitative model of water quality to protect and inform wild...
coffee break (30 min)
Panel discussion – Policy recommendations for building water smart and resilient society and economy for Europe (50 min)
Moderator: Richard Elelman (EURECAT)
Panellists:
– Bertrand Vallet (RTD),
– DG ENV/C1 ,
– National Representation (Belgium) TBD
Selected from the cluster:
– Gabriel Anzaldi (EURECAT)
– Evina Katsou (Imperial College)
Conclusion (10 min)
Durk Krol, Director Executive, Water Europe
Lydia Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia, Research, KWR
Just back from the World Water Forum in Bali, the Water4All Partnership -Water Security for the Planet – a funding R&D programme for freshwater, will zoom on the outcomes of this global momentum for water. This workshop will also focus on the newly launched projects and the Water-oriented LivingLabs.
Agenda
13:30 – 13:40: Welcome and Introduction
• Introduction to the event and its objectives: Durk Krol (Executive Director, Water Europe)
13:40 – 13:50: Keynote from the EC
• Building the future of water on Partnership: insights on collaborative efforts and coming directions, Betrand Vallet DG RTD (TBC)
13:50 – 14:00: Overview of Water4All and Meeting Context
• Introduction to the Water4All Partnership, Ariane Blum (Water4All Coordinator)
14:00 – 14:10: Presentation of Water4All Pillar D
• Objectives and activities under Pillar D of Water4All, Andrea Rubini (Water Europe), Søren Heinecke (IFD), Carlos Mario Gómez, (IMDEA)
14:10 – 15:00: Presentation of the Water4All WOLLs Network • Introduction of respective WOLLs and their features by WOLL representatives (both remote and in-person): sharing of key messages and commitments to...
15:00 – 15:15: Launch of the WOLLs Network Action Plan
• Introduction to the action plan for the WOLLs Network: highlighting upcoming activities and initiatives Andrea Rubini (WE), Alessandro Argo (WE)
15:15 – 15:50: Discussion with WOLLs Network Representatives • Open discussion with WOLL representatives and the audience on the future actions of the WOLLs Network: context, priorities, challenges and future solutions...
15:50 – 16:00: Meeting Conclusion and Final Remarks
• Summary of the event and key takeaways and closing remarks, Ariane Blum (ANR) and Andrea Rubini (WE).
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