On April 16, the IDEATION project successfully hosted its Final Multi-Stakeholder Forum last week in Brussels, bringing together over 100 stakeholders from across the water sector, technology industry, and policy-making spheres. Held back-to-back with Water Market Europe 2026, the forum marked a significant milestone in the digital transformation of European water management.

As Europe faces increasing water scarcity and climate-driven challenges, the forum focused on a singular goal: accelerating the development and implementation of Digital Twins for inland waters to ensure a water-secure future.

The event opened with a presentation of the project’s core outcomes. Andrea Rubini (Director of Operations, Water Europe) and Eloisa Vargiu (IDEATION Coordinator, CETAQUA) highlighted the Digitalisation Action Plan, a strategic framework designed to transition Europe toward “Water-Smart” management. The forum showcased how Digital Twins—virtual replicas of physical water systems—can provide real-time data to optimize resource use and predict infrastructure needs.

Tackling Technical and Urban Challenges
Expert panels delved into the “nuts and bolts” of digital water, discussing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robust data governance. Leaders from projects including WATERVERSE and ILIAD joined the conversation to share technical lessons on building resilient digital systems.

A dedicated session on urban water management explored the practicalities of implementation. Representatives from utilities across Finland, Germany, Denmark, Cyprus, Belgium, and the Netherlands discussed how to navigate complex regulatory frameworks while integrating high-tech solutions into aging urban infrastructure.

Alignment with European Policy
A key highlight was the participation of the European Commission, which outlined its vision for a European Digital Twin for Ocean and Inland Waters. This initiative is a cornerstone of the broader EU Water Resilience Strategy, ensuring that technical innovation directly supports the continent’s environmental and sustainability goals.