On Thursday, August 8, Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations, and Digital Governance of the University of Thessaly, played a pivotal role in establishing new collaborations for sustainable water management in Greece. Leveraging her four-year experience as Vice-President of Water Europe—the leading European platform for water innovation—Laspidou initiated and hosted a meeting between Mr. Durk Krol, Executive Director of Water Europe, and the Municipal Water and Sewerage Company of Larissa (DEYAL).

The meeting served as a bridge between DEYAL and the Brussels-based organization, which counts over 200 members across the entire water value chain—from multinational corporations to universities, municipalities, and citizen associations. Water Europe’s mission is to build a “water-smart society” by advancing research, technological innovation, and the promotion of sustainable water management practices—a vision that closely aligns with Laspidou’s academic and professional endeavors.

During the session, Chrysi Laspidou highlighted Water Europe’s scope and achievements, emphasizing the benefits of membership for a municipal water utility. These benefits include direct access to European policy circles, timely updates on water-sector legislation and funding opportunities, access to best practices, partnerships with Europe’s leading water companies, and pathways for innovation and digital transformation. Her presentation underscored how joining Water Europe could enhance DEYAL’s role not only locally but also as a key player in the European water sector.

Her efforts yielded immediate results: DEYAL’s Vice-President, Mr. Konstantinos Argyropoulos, announced the company’s intention—supported by the Mayor of Larissa and DEYAL’s President, Mr. Athanasios Mamako—to join Water Europe. If finalized, DEYAL would become the largest municipal water utility in Greece to join the network, following the example set by EYDAP, the country’s largest state-owned water company.

The day concluded with Mr. Krol visiting DEYAL’s facilities, where he praised the utility’s exceptional organization, advanced digitalization, and the innovative “smart irrigation card” system for farmers—a program that embodies the forward-thinking solutions Laspidou has consistently advocated.

Through this initiative, Vice-Rector Chrysi Laspidou has once again showcased her ability to connect local expertise with international networks, driving Greek water management toward a more innovative and sustainable future.