AWR4Climate Cluster to Host Joint Webinar on Building Trust in Alternative Water Resources

As Europe confronts intensifying water scarcity, the AWR4Climate Cluster, a collaborative initiative between the MARCLAIMED, AWARD, and RECREATE projects, is set to host a pivotal webinar titled “Building Trust in Alternative Water Resources” on 23 June 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (CEST).

The 90-minute online session will tackle one of the most critical hurdles in the water sector: the gap between innovative technological solutions and their widespread acceptance by local communities and policymakers. By bridging science, policy, and public perception, the webinar aims to accelerate the uptake of non-conventional water sources across the continent.

Bridging the Gap: From Demo Cases to Policy Governance
The webinar offers an in-depth look at how the three projects are translating research into practical action. Attendees will explore:

• Co-design Methodologies: How to structure Demo Cases that ensure community-driven outcomes.
• Participatory Innovation: The use of serious gaming and interactive tools to empower stakeholders and resolve conflicting interests.
• Political Integration: Strategies for embedding alternative water resources into regional governance through effective political dialogue.

Expert Panel and Leadership
The event will be moderated by Thelma PELLICER (OiEau) and will feature insights from the coordinators of all three projects: Sadika BERNARD (AWARD), Digu ARUCHAMY (RECREATE), and Sara ESPINOSA (MARCLAIMED).

The programme includes targeted technical interventions by leading experts:

• Noureddine BOUZIDI (IMDEA Water): Insights on demo case co-design.
• Klaasjan RAAT (KWRT): Leveraging serious games for stakeholder engagement.
• Sofia PEREZ and Loup DELADERRIERE (Paris-Saclay University): Navigating the governance of alternative water resources.

“Our goal is to provide a comprehensive look at how we can move past the technical barriers and build the social and political trust necessary to make alternative water a cornerstone of European climate adaptation,” said the organizing committee.

How to Attend
The webinar is free to attend and open to all stakeholders, including water utility managers, regional planners, researchers, and EU policy advocates. Registration is now open.