The Energy and Water Agency successfully organised the 3rd General Assembly Meeting of the RETOUCH Nexus project, held from January 22 to 24, 2025. This event brought together, project partners. The project aims to develop inclusive and climate-resilient water governance systems by enhancing synergies and promoting sustainable management practices. By evaluating existing policies and advocating integrated solutions, RETOUCH Nexus contributes to building a more robust and transparent water governance framework at the EU level.
The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus (WEFE) is a holistic concept that recognises the interconnectedness of water, energy, food and ecosystems. By optimising trade-offs and enhancing synergies, the WEFE Nexus approach aims to promote sustainable and resilient water management practices. RETOUCH NEXUS builds on this approach to generate conceptual advances and empirical evidence to support the development of robust water governance systems at EU level.
Using the WEFE Nexus approach, RETOUCH NEXUS seeks to design and implement innovative, inclusive and climate-resilient water governance systems. By monitoring and evaluating existing practices, advocating integrated solutions and promoting transparent engagement mechanisms, the project aims to secure a sustainable water future for the EU.
The three-day event was a key part of the RETOUCH Nexus initiative, focused on promoting sustainable practices in water and energy governance while addressing environmental challenges. Attendees engaged in a dynamic program that combined presentations, workshops, and collaborative sessions.
The meeting began with project partners presenting their progress, showcasing achievements in 2024, and outlining priorities for 2025. Breakout sessions provided a platform for participants to explore opportunities for collaboration and align their efforts with the project’s overarching goals. During the event, attendees also delved into theoretical models and explored their practical applications, which sparked significant interest and discussions. Additionally, hands-on training workshops equipped participants with tools and strategies to enhance the project’s impact.
The final day featured a study visit to a desalination plant, where participants toured the facilities and engaged in discussions about technological and governance innovations in water desalination. This visit highlighted Malta’s role in addressing water challenges through cutting-edge solutions.
The RETOUCH Nexus project is funded by the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme. For more information, visit: https://retouch-nexus.eu/.
