The 2nd Freshwater Net Clustering event is planned to be organised in Brussels during the European Ocean Days.
FRESHWATER 2ND CLUSTERING EVENT
to strengthen the collaboration in freshwater related topics and support organisations in the BIOEAST macro-region to participate in the international projects
Following the successful Freshwater Net Clustering event organised by the BIOEAST Thematic Working Group Fresh Water Based Bioeconomy in March 2024 the second Freshwater Net Clustering event is planned to be organised in Brussels during the European Ocean Days.
The BIOEAST region faces significant challenges in freshwater management due to severe droughts, destructive fires, and recent floods, which have caused over €10 billion in damages. It only highlights the urgent need for sustainable water-soil-climate management to ensure agricultural and industrial stability. Freshwater is critical for the region’s agriculture, biodiversity, and economy as the BIOEAST Stakeholder Manifesto is reflecting.
In November 2024 Ministers approved the Council conclusion proposed by the Hungarian Presidency assessing the need, feasibility, and impact of a potential research and innovation (R&I) initiative highlighting the role of sustainable freshwater management in supporting the bioeconomy and promoting eco-efficient water use.
Stakeholders from Central and Eastern European countries emphasized the importance of freshwater management as a lifeline for their economies, especially in agriculture, the existing knowledge base on water-soil interconnections but stressed the need for deeper understanding and systematic assessments. The Water-Soil-Climate Nexus approach that is a core stone of the SRIA of the BIOEAST Thematic Working Group Fresh Water Based Bioeconomy; freshwater is calling for greater EU investment and recognition of its contributions to sustainable development.
Main goals of this envisaged event are:
- showcase pilot freshwater related projects that have the potential to tackle the climate challenges
- show concrete business perspective and business models of the freshwater pilot projects to enhance the involvement of entrepreneurs
- discuss synergies among projects and act as a brokerage event to facilitate networking between project partners to enhance common efforts in engaging stakeholders, replicability of project results, join forces in the open calls and discuss new project proposals
More information to be shared in the following days!
