As the European water sector gears up for its premier annual gathering, Water Innovation Europe (WIE) 2026, Water Europe is proud to announce the launch of a prestigious new Award: the Water-Oriented Living Lab of the Year Award. This new category will be celebrated during the WIE2026 conference on October 13-14 in Dublin, Ireland, marking a significant milestone in recognizing the vital role of Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) in building a Water-Smart Society.
The introduction of this award coincides with the official release of the new WOLL Atlas, which will be launched during a dedicated session at the conference. The WOLL of the Year Award was established to recognize labs that demonstrate exceptional excellence in co-creating sustainable water solutions through diverse stakeholder engagement. The award honors labs that successfully facilitate the demonstration and validation of innovative technologies in real-life environments, while effectively mobilizing investment to scale these solutions and delivering measurable contributions to a resilient water economy.
This new award category provides a unique platform for high-impact labs to showcase their achievements to a global audience of policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators. However, applicants should note specific eligibility requirements: only officially recognized WOLLs within the Water4All WOLLs Network are eligible to apply for this Award. Click here to apply.
Do you want to become a WOLL?
If you are interested in being recognised as a Water-Oriented Living Lab of the Water4All WOLLs Network, please contact us or apply to become a WOLL at the bottom of the official webpage.
Stay tuned
The WIE2026 ceremony will be a highlight of the Dublin event, which also includes the Water-Oriented Living Labs Annual Event on October 14th. This gathering represents an unparalleled opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange among the leading innovation hubs in the water sector.
For more info about the Awards, visit the official webpage.
