From Demonstrative Actions to Transnational Insights on Governance, Acceptability and Economic Feasibility

Note: Attendance at this workshop requires prior registration for the REUSE-EuroMed 2026 event.

Summary

“Water Reuse in the TARGET Strategy: Building Sustainable and Accepted Solutions across the SUDOE region” brings together local experiences and transnational analyses to foster socially acceptable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable water reuse strategies in South-West Europe.
The workshop forms part of TARGET – TerritoriAl stRateGy for watER scarcity, an Interreg SUDOE project designed to promote innovative and integrated approaches to water management under increasing scarcity. TARGET combines several demonstrative actions across France, Spain, and Portugal with transnational research on governance, social acceptability, and economic models for water reuse.

The session will open with an overview of TARGET’s strategy and demonstrative actions across the region, presented by Amélie Bresson from EPIDOR, the project’s lead partner. This will be followed by a detailed account of how reclaimed water supports drought mitigation and ecological restoration from the Can Cabanyes natural area (Granollers) to the wider Besòs River basin and the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. Delivered by Xavi Romero from Consorci Besòs Tordera, an associated partner of the TARGET project, it will illustrate how local demonstrative actions can inform broader regional strategies.

The workshop then shifts to cross-country research. Lucía Poggio, environmental psychologist and associate professor at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, will present the results of the transnational analysis of risk perception and social acceptability of water reuse across France, Spain and Portugal. Next, Francisco J. André, full professor of Economic Analysis at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, will discuss the economic externalities of reuse systems and their valuation.
The workshop will conclude with a participatory session, inviting attendees to share their viewpoints and contribute to recommendations to enhance water reuse implementation in the SUDOE region.

Agenda - June 18th

12:00 – 12:05 | Welcome

12:05 – 12:20 | TARGET Strategy Overview & Demonstrative Actions Across the SUDOE Region.

Speaker: Amélie Bresson – EPIDOR (Lead Partner, TARGET)

12:20 – 12:35 | From Local to Regional Strategies: using reclaimed water to mitigate drought impacts and enhance ecological health in Can Cabanyes natural area and the Besòs Basin.

Speaker: Xavi Romero – Consorci Besòs Tordera (Associated Partner, TARGET)

12:35 – 12:50 | Transnational Risk Perception and Social Acceptability of Water Reuse.

Speaker: Lucía Poggio – Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Partner, TARGET)

12:50 – 13:05 | The Externalities of Water Reclamation Projects and their Economic Valuation.

Speaker: Francisco J. André – Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Partner, TARGET)

13:05 – 13:30 | Interactive Debate & Participatory Session.