Over the past year, the Water4All Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) Network has continued to grow into a vibrant European community of innovation. Following the first annual in-person gathering in Banyuls-sur-Mer in November 2025, where members came together to strengthen the foundations of the Network, exchange experiences and shape a common vision, this year’s event marks the next step in that journey.
Hosted back-to-back with Water Innovation Europe 2026, under the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the 2026 WOLLs Annual Event shifts the focus from building the Network to showcasing its collective impact. Bringing together more then thirty recognised Water-Oriented Living Labs, policymakers, researchers, industry representatives and other key stakeholders, the event will highlight how Living Labs are accelerating the deployment of innovative water solutions and generating tangible benefits within their territories.
The event will open with strategic reflections on the role of Water-Oriented Living Labs within the European water innovation landscape and their contribution to the implementation of the European Water Resilience Strategy. It will then celebrate, for the very first time, the WOLL of the Year, recognising a Living Lab that has demonstrated outstanding innovation-driven impact within its territory.
The programme will also present the latest evolution of the Water4All WOLLs Atlas, highlighting the growth, diversity and achievements of the Network while outlining the next phase of its development.
Through three thematic panel discussions, representatives from different WOLLs will share concrete experiences demonstrating how Living Labs contribute to addressing Europe’s most pressing water challenges.
Participants will gain first-hand insight into successful Living Lab experiences, discover approaches that can be replicated in other territories, identify new collaboration opportunities and contribute to shaping the future development of the WOLLs Network.
- Water Europe and institutional remarks Environmental Protection Agency
Strategic reflections by Water4All Vice-Chair Helena Alegre on:
- Water4All's contribution to the European Water Resilience Strategy
- The role of Water-Oriented Living Labs in accelerating innovation deployment
- Bridging research, innovation, demonstration and implementation
- The future development of the Water4All WOLLs Network
Presentation by the winner of the WOLLs Impact Award 2026, showcasing:
-The WOLL's mission, governance model and stakeholder collaboration
- Key innovations and demonstrated impacts
- Lessons learned and success factors
- Pathways towards replication and scaling
- Reflections on the role of the WOLL in driving systemic transformation
- Growth and evolution of the Water4All WOLLs Network
- Diversity of WOLLs across Europe and beyond
- Main thematic areas, achievements and collective impact
- Emerging priorities for the next phase of the Network
- Opportunities for collaboration, peer learning and replication
- Upcoming activities and milestones (2026–2027)
Focus: How can WOLLs and innovative projects strengthen the resilience of water systems and territories, enabling them to anticipate, adapt and respond to climate change, extreme events and evolving water-related challenges?
Panelists: representatives from Water-Oriented Living Labs, public authorities, research and innovation organisations, water utilities and industry
Focus: How can WOLLs and innovative projects accelerate the transition towards sustainable water systems by advancing circularity, ecosystem restoration, resource efficiency and sustainable water management?
Panelists: representatives from Water-Oriented Living Labs, industry, research and innovation organisations, water utilities, investors and financial institutions
Focus: How can WOLLs and innovative projects contribute to securing Europe’s water future by safeguarding water availability and quality and accelerating the deployment of solutions that strengthen long-term water security?
Panelists: representatives from Water-Oriented Living Labs, policymakers, water utilities, research and innovation organisations and industry, discussing how innovation can support water availability, quality and strategic autonomy through large-scale deployment, integrated governance and long-term implementation
Bringing together the key messages emerging from the three panel discussions on:
- Water Resilience
- Water Sustainability
- Water Security
Audience contribution
Summary of the key takeaways from the event
Looking ahead: the next steps for the WOLLs Network
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