Water Projects Europe 2025 (WPE2025) successfully took place on March 12 in Amsterdam, sponsored by the EU-funded projects IDEATION and WATERVERSE.
For the first time, WPE was organized during the Aquatech Amsterdam, the biggest global water fair gathering over 25.000 water enthusiasts from all around the world eager to showcase, learn and connect around water. This milestone marked a significant step in elevating EU-funded projects on a world stage, reinforcing their role in shaping the future of water management.
Under the overarching theme of “From inland water to the digital connectivity shaping the future of water management“, WPE2025 highlighted the transformative efforts of key EU projects in creating an integrated and interoperable Water Data Management Ecosystem.
Opening remarks from Andrea Rubini and Gerben Hardeman (RAI Aquatech) set the stage, followed by an insightful keynote from Eliades Demetrios (KIOS Center of Excellence) introducing the role of digital twins in optimizing water risk management. Sessions featured contributions from IDEATION, WATERVERSE, and other leading initiatives like Water4All, SEDIMARK and AquaInfra, underscoring the need for secure and interoperable water data flows.
Representatives from Water4All provided insights into its role in securing water resources for the planet, the importance of cross-border cooperation, and ongoing funding opportunities to support water-related research. Discussions highlighted how global water security and climate resilience rely on integrating digital tools and data-driven decision-making, with Water4All playing a pivotal role in bridging gaps between research, policy, and implementation.
As part of the event, WPE2025 also provided a platform to showcase six ground-breaking EU-funded projects, highlighting their innovative contributions to the water sector. These projects included ToDrinQ, Dalia-Danube, FERRO, Sundanse, NIAGARA and ILIAD.
The panel discussions illuminated both the opportunities and barriers to achieving a truly water-smart Europe. Experts debated pressing challenges such as standardisation, cyber security, and the importance of integrating freshwater monitoring into digital twins. The ZeroPollution4Water cluster was recognised as a key driver for bridging data silos and enhancing collaboration among EU projects.
In a rapidly evolving water sector, the need for digitalisation and robust data governance has never been clearer. The conference concluded with a call for greater political support, increased funding for digital training, and stronger connections between researchers, industry, and policymakers.
As WPE2025 closes on a high note, Water Europe is pleased to announce that we will return with another Aquatech edition in two years, continuing to foster innovation, collaboration, and policy dialogue in digital water management.
