Water Market Europe 2025

The European Green Deal sets a bold ambition: achieving climate neutrality and establishing a circular economy by 2050. Central to this vision is the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban water management, which promotes sustainability while addressing pressing environmental challenges. The MULTISOURCE project is at the forefront of this movement, developing innovative models for urban wastewater treatment through NbS. These efforts are in alignment with key EU policies, such as the Water Framework Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, all of which emphasize sustainable water management.

Water Market Europe (WME) 2025, co-organized by Water Europe and supported by the EU-funded MULTISOURCE project, will serve as a platform for contributing to address these challenges. WME 2025 is designed to foster collaboration and innovation by directly addressing the technological needs identified in the MULTISOURCE project. Through dynamic matchmaking opportunities and expert-led sessions, WME will bring together innovators, decision-makers, investors, and solution providers to accelerate the implementation of sustainable water solutions across Europe.

Event Structure:

WME 2025 will consist of a series of sessions aimed at addressing both the solutions and challenges in the NbS sector:

Session 1: Introduction – This session will open the event with a comprehensive overview, featuring insights from the MULTISOURCE Project Coordinator and a keynote speech on NbS by a representative from the European Commission or another public authority. A special focus will be on investment opportunities in the water sector, with input from public or private financial institutions, such as the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Session 2: Problems – This session will shift focus to real-life challenges in implementing NbS within diverse environments, providing an opportunity for problem owners to present their specific issues and get potential solutions.

Session 3: Solutions – Presentations from MULTISOURCE pilot projects, risk assessment and other NbS developers will showcase practical solutions demonstrated through the project and explore the broader market potential for NbS innovations.

Session 4: Nat4Wat – Presented by ICRA, this session will introduce the Nat4Wat tool and explain its features and potential. Potentially live demonstration.

Session 5: Splashdown – TBD by ICLEI but it's important that this session has a focus on exploitation of results and/or policy outcomes. Potential guest projects: Recreate Project, CARDIMED, AWARD Project, potentially NICE, MARCLAIMED, Clever Cities Project

Session 6: Matchmaking – The event will conclude in a dedicated matchmaking session. Pre-scheduled B2B meetings will facilitate direct dialogue between problem owners, solution providers, and investors, driving tangible outcomes and fostering partnerships that can accelerate the adoption of NbS across Europe.