On 19 May 2026, the BOOST-IN project passed a significant milestone in its mission to advance Water-Circular Economy Solutions (WACES). Hosted at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL) in Bologna, the project held a high-level policy workshop aimed at bridging the gap between innovative research and actionable regional policy.
Co-Creating a Roadmap for WACES
The primary goal of the workshop was to facilitate the uptake of circular water solutions within the Emilia-Romagna region. Building on a year of stakeholder engagement, the session served as a structured validation and co-creation exercise. Participants worked together to refine policy recommendations that address the specific institutional, regulatory, and economic challenges facing the local water-agriculture nexus.
Key objectives of the session included:
- Validating Barriers: Assessing the most significant hurdles currently stalling the deployment of circular water solutions.
- Designing Pathways: Drafting realistic implementation steps and identifying the specific governance levels required for reform.
- Assigning Responsibility: Identifying the key actors—from regional authorities to irrigation consortia—needed to lead these changes.
A Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Success in the water sector requires a united front. The workshop brought together 21 diverse experts representing the public sector, industry, water utilities, and research organisations. By capturing a wide range of perspectives, the workshop ensured that the proposed policy interventions are not only ambitious but also technically and economically feasible for the region.
This group built upon the momentum of previous co-creation workshops held in 2025, ensuring that the evidence-based insights generated will provide a solid foundation for future institutional and regulatory updates.
