GREENHOOD at the wijzerWater Café 2026
On 24 March 2026, as part of the National Week of Water, GREENHOOD participated in the wIJzerWater Café in Staden, Belgium. This interactive event brought together residents, farmers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and foster a shared understanding of the water and climate challenges facing the IJzer and Handzame Valleys.
About the event
The wIJzerWater Café served as a forum designed to bridge the gap between regional water management and the local community. Through a blend of historical insights, policy updates, and "climate comedy", the evening increased awareness of how water shapes the landscape and the lives of those within the Westhoek region. Key highlights included:
- Area programme insights: A deep dive into current and future projects aimed at making the IJzer and Handzame Valleys more resilient.
- Multi-actor dialogue: A panel discussion featuring local farmers, polder board members, and tourism experts who shared personal perspectives on regional water choices.
- The info market: A dedicated networking space where citizens engaged directly with the organisations and experts leading the region’s water policy and environmental health efforts.
GREENHOOD at the event
As part of the outreach activities for the Rhine, Meuse & Scheldt Basin demo-region, GREENHOOD was represented by Ghent University, the demo-region co-coordinator alongside Deltares. The project hosted a stand during the Info Market, focusing on the potential for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to improve surface water quality.
The evening was less about formal presentations and more about open conversation. The UGent team spent the night talking with farmers and residents from the IJzer and Handzame Valleys, explaining how nutrient balancing actually works on the ground. It was a straightforward way to connect our research with the people who live and work in the demo-region, making the project's goals feel a bit more "real" and relevant to the local environment.