Testing the waters – transformative place-based innovations for water resilience

Long-term water resilience is vital for EU competitiveness. Challenges like climate change and flooding vary by region, requiring localised solutions, multi-level governance, and cross-sector collaboration. Innovation must transcend silos, blending technological, social, and nature-based approaches (flood-resistant urban design, permeable surfaces) to adapt to droughts and extreme rainfall. Innovative approaches arises from pilot projects, co-created with stakeholders, ensuring regions prepare for and recover from disruptions. This session explores EU regions experimentation in innovative policy-making, offering a replicable model for resilience through regional innovation ecosystems.