The Water Knowledge Europe (WKE) 2025 – Winter Edition recently concluded in Brussels, serving as a key gathering for the European water R&I community. Among the attendees was Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector of the University of Thessaly, who joined fellow researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the final stages of the Horizon Europe Work Programme (2026–2027).

Insight into the 2026-2027 Funding Landscape

Taking place from December 2 to 4 at the Thon Hotel EU, the conference focused on the strategic direction of water research in Europe. Professor Laspidou was present for the core sessions on December 3, which offered a first look at the European Commission’s upcoming funding priorities. The event provided a platform for attendees to analyze how the EU Water Resilience Strategy and the Zero Pollution Action Plan will shape future project calls.

Networking and the Water-Smart Roadmap

A central component of Vice-Rector Laspidou’s participation involved the Water Europe Community Day. This session allowed members to engage in hands-on workshops dedicated to the co-creation of the Water-Smart Technology Roadmap. As a long-standing representative of the University of Thessaly within the Water Europe network, her attendance supported the ongoing efforts to align academic research with the needs of a Water-Smart Society.

Bridging Projects and Partnerships

The winter edition also featured the Water Projects Europe side events, which showcased results from ongoing Horizon Europe initiatives. Professor Laspidou’s presence at these sessions underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties between Greek academic institutions and the broader European brokerage landscape. By attending the B2B matchmaking and pitching sessions, she joined hundreds of experts in exploring new synergies and potential consortia for the next wave of European water innovation.

Professor Laspidou’s presence alongside Durk Krol, Executive Director of Water Europe underscored the strong collaborative link between Water Europe’s leadership and its academic members. This collaboration is particularly significant given their recent joint efforts to expand the Water-Smart Society network in Greece—notably their successful coordination earlier this year to bring major Greek water utilities like DEYAL into the European community.

The conference remains a vital touchpoint for the sector, ensuring that stakeholders like Professor Laspidou stay informed on the policy shifts and collaborative opportunities that will define the European water landscape in 2026 and beyond.