The European Green Deal sets a bold ambition: achieving climate neutrality and establishing a circular economy by 2050. Central to this vision is the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban water management, which promotes sustainability while addressing pressing environmental challenges. The MULTISOURCE project is at the forefront of this movement, developing innovative models for urban wastewater treatment through NbS. These efforts are in alignment with key EU policies, such as the Water Framework Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, all of which emphasize sustainable water management.
Water Market Europe (WME) 2025, co-organized by Water Europe and supported by the EU-funded MULTISOURCE project, will serve as a platform for contributing to address these challenges. WME 2025 is designed to foster collaboration and innovation by directly addressing the technological needs identified in the MULTISOURCE project.
Through dynamic matchmaking opportunities and expert-led sessions, WME will bring together innovators, decision-makers, investors, and solution providers to accelerate the implementation of sustainable water solutions across Europe.
WME2025 is offering a unique opportunity for challenge owners and innovators to give a pitch-presentation of their challenges and innovations at the event. Find out more and apply here.
✅Challenge owners (urban water managers, decision-makers, cities, utilities, end-users) can present real-life urban water management challenges and seek innovative NbS approaches.
✅Solution providers (technology suppliers and developers, research, and technology transfer organisations) can showcase innovative NbS technologies and methodologies tailored for urban settings.
– Gain exclusive insights into the latest urban advancements with nature-based solutions.
– Connect with key stakeholders, including innovators, investors, and policymakers.
– Discover funding and business opportunities in the NbS sector.
– Dialogue with problem owners to explore practical and scalable solutions.
The event will be held in the Centre Cultural La Mercè, Girona, Spain.
- Welcome & introduction: Andrea Rubini, Water Europe
- Sustainable Urban Water Management in Mediterranean Cities: Challenges and Opportunities for Nature-Based Solutions - Sergi Font, Councillor for Ecological Transition and Urban Area of the Municipality of Girona
- The MULTISOURCE Project: Jaime Nivala, MULTISOURCE Coordinator
- Development perspective of urban NbS: Laura Wendling, SINTEF, Water Europe Leasder of the Expert Group Gray-Green Infrastructures and NbS
- Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in urban development: transforming cities for resilience and sustainability: Ruben Fernandes, Executive Board Member at Águas e Energia do Porto EM, Assistant Professor FEP U. Porto, Economics and Management.
- Impact and challenges from DANA in Valencia: current perspectives and future resilience - Jaume Cotolí Sancho, Global Omnium
- Governance for the implementation of NBS in the Milan metropolitan area – Francesca Framba and Giulia Garavaglia, Città metropolitana di Milano
- Integrating nature-based solutions and water related ecological measures in urban development. Challenges and examples - Sara Eeman, Aveco de Bondt
- International Cooperation in Advancing NbS for Urban Water Challenges - David Smith, WE&B
- MULTISOURCE Pilots introduction – Pedro Carvahlo, Aarhus University
- Pilot 1: France – Jaime Nivala, INRAE
- Pilot 2: USA – Ellen Lauchnor, Montana State University
- Pilot 3: Belgium – Mireille Martens, Rietland
- Pilot 4: Italy – Fabio Masi, IRIDRA
- Pilot 5: Spain – Esther Mendoza, ICRA
- Pilot 6: Norway – Elisabeth Rødland, NIVA & Stina Karlstrøm, Oslo Kommune
- Pilot 7: Germany – Jan Friesen, UFZ
- Risk assessment – Sondre Meland, NIVA
- Nat4Wat – Josep Pueyo, ICRA
- Planning Platform – Maria Chiara Lippera, UFZ
- Setting the scene – Elena Pestani, ICLE
- Biodaph2o – Teresa de la Torre
- Watersource – Laurent Pouget
- NINFA and Urban GreenUp – Ainhoa Gaudes
- RECREATE – Queralt Plana Puig
- Marclaimed – Carla Guillén
- Cardimed – Sergi Baena-Miret
- MULTISOURCE – Maria Wirth
- Jamie Nivala, MULTISOURCE project coordinator
Prescheduled B2B meetings (around 12’ per meeting) with open coffee all across the session.
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