Testing the waters – transformative place-based innovations for water resilience

Testing the waters – transformative place-based innovations for water resilience

Under this year’s motto, Strong regions, strong Europe, The European Week of Regions and Cities will bring together stakeholders from cities and regions across Europe. This session explores EU regions experimentation in innovative policy-making, offering a replicable model for resilience through regional innovation ecosystems.

Short description: 

Long-term water resilience is vital for EU competitiveness. Challenges like climate change and flooding vary by region, requiring localised solutions, multi-level governance, and cross-sector collaboration. Innovation must transcend silos, blending technological, social, and nature-based approaches (flood-resistant urban design, permeable surfaces) to adapt to droughts and extreme rainfall. Innovative approaches arise from pilot projects, co-created with stakeholders, ensuring regions prepare for and recover from disruptions.

Tentative agenda (Please note timing is tentative at this moment)

Moderator – Pirita Lindholm (ERRIN Director)

16:00h–16:06 Opening Remarks

· Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall (t.b.c) – Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy 

16:06–16:30 The Water Challenge – voices from the Regions:

· Flanders (BE)

· Blekinge (SE)

· Puglia (IT)

· Emilia Romagna (IT) - tentative

16:34 to 16:50 Intermezzo – Scanning the horizon Solving the water resilience puzzle

· Emasesa – Digital Twin and water savings

· Kering – Nature based solutions & Arno water resilience lab.

16:50–17:25 Policy Debate. - Scaling up: From local challenges to Systemic Solutions – Underpinning question: How might we build water resilience in the system?

· Markku Markkula (Committee of the Regions)

· EIB – Investments (Edouard Perard)

· DG ENV/REGIO Water Resilience Accellerator (t.b.c)

· European Water Academy – (t.b.c)

17:25–17:30 | Closing - Carlos Torrecilla Salinas

Register by 30 September