On 25 June 2024, the German case study of the RETOUCH NEXUS project hosted its first stakeholder engagement workshop in the Upper Main region. Held at the District Government Building of Upper Franconia in Bayreuth, the workshop represented a significant step towards fostering collaboration among key regional actors and advancing sustainable management within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus.
Organised under the leadership of Nicole Tatjana Scherer from the Chair of Hydrology and River Basin Management of the Technical University of Munich, the event aimed to engage departments from the district government of Upper Franconia, a central authority responsible for coordinating tasks between the Bavarian state government and local municipalities.
Targeting key government departments
The workshop brought together representatives from government departments directly linked to the WEFE sectors, including economic development, spatial and regional planning, urban development, nature protection, water management, and food and agriculture.
As the district government plays a critical role in regional coordination, the engagement focused on its potential to drive cross-sectoral collaboration. Notably, although this workshop did not include youth representatives, women were actively involved, as department heads or their representatives participated in the discussions.
Improving collaboration and coordination
During the three-hour session, participants addressed a wide range of issues critical to sustainable development in the region.
A recurring theme was the importance of improving collaboration between academia and government.
While legislative processes are overseen by the State Ministry and executed by district authorities, feedback to ministries often remains limited to addressing specific problems due to time constraints.
Furthermore, there is no established mechanism for proposing legislation or providing feedback to European Union bodies.
The workshop highlighted opportunities to enhance horizontal coordination within the government through political measures, such as increasing staffing levels, and non-political approaches, including improved communication between ministries and stronger dialogue across administrative levels.
Water Resource Management Challenges
Water resource management emerged as one of the most pressing challenges discussed at the workshop. While the principle of prioritising public drinking water supply is well-established, a clear framework for prioritising water use across various applications remains absent. Compounding these challenges is the region’s reliance on foreign water sources, which raises concerns about self-sufficiency. Issues such as groundwater recharge and nitrate levels further underscore the complexity of ensuring sustainable water practices.
Balancing competing goals
The workshop also illuminated the conflicts that arise from competing economic and ecological goals. For example, activities such as touristic rafting often clash with efforts to preserve ecological balance. Participants noted the importance of addressing broader ecological challenges, including restoring floodplains, maintaining river continuity, and adapting to a growing trend of locally grown vegetable production, which brings new irrigation demands. These tensions highlight the need for comprehensive and integrated planning to balance economic development with environmental preservation.
Spatial demands and renewable energy
Another significant topic of discussion was the increasing spatial demand from renewable energy infrastructure, particularly photovoltaic systems, alongside industrial and logistical expansions. This growing demand for land presents additional challenges for regional planning, further emphasising the importance of coordination across sectors.
Simplifying communication for broader engagement
One key lesson from the workshop was the importance of simplifying communication. Academic models and findings, while valuable, need to be accessible to all stakeholders to ensure broad engagement. Participants stressed the importance of presenting data and methodologies in clear, straightforward language, avoiding overly technical terminology, anglicisms, and jargon. Simplified communication will ensure that all participants, regardless of their technical expertise, can actively contribute to discussions and decision-making processes.
Conclusion
The first stakeholder engagement workshop has underscored the importance of collaboration, simplified communication, and integrated planning in addressing regional challenges within the Upper Main region. By involving key governmental actors and fostering dialogue across sectors, the RETOUCH NEXUS project is setting a robust foundation for sustainable management of water, energy, food, and ecosystems. The discussions have highlighted critical challenges, such as water resource management, ecological preservation, and land-use planning, while pointing to promising pathways for progress. With plans already underway for a follow-up workshop in early 2025, the project is well-positioned to build momentum and drive meaningful action toward long-term sustainability.
Looking Ahead
The RETOUCH NEXUS project plans to build on the insights gained during this initial engagement. A follow-up workshop is scheduled for early 2025, with expanded participation to include both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
This next phase will focus on investigating innovative water governance practices, presenting the latest findings from economic and hydrological modelling, exploring the formation of a Community of Practice, and mapping experts for training on key indicators. These initiatives aim to deepen collaboration and further develop actionable strategies for sustainable regional development within the WEFE nexus.
