The RETOUCH NEXUS project is excited to announce an upcoming stakeholder engagement activity as part of the Belgian Case Study – Business Park Tielt Noord. This initiative is focused on enhancing water management strategies through collaboration between industry and agriculture, addressing local challenges while fostering sustainable solutions.
Event Overview
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Venue: Poultry Test Farm, Geel – Flanders – Belgium
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Date: Spring 2025
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Duration: Half-day workshop
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Contact Person: Wim Schiettecatte (VITO)
Background & Objectives The idea for this engagement activity was sparked following visits between VITO and the Flemish Poultry Test Farm, where employees demonstrated a strong interest in evaluating water management possibilities on their premises. After initial discussions and site visits, the need to expand the conversation to include a wider range of stakeholders emerged.
The upcoming workshop aims to:
- Facilitate a brainstorming session that goes beyond the individual company premises to explore regional water management solutions.
- Engage key stakeholders, including the city council, neighboring farming test facilities, and local innovation managers, to discuss opportunities for collaboration.
- Address pressing water management challenges, such as collecting more rainwater to mitigate flooding risks and ensuring sustainable water reuse for agricultural purposes.
- Advance the goals of WP2 by promoting and implementing transparent and inclusive water governance through innovative engagement mechanisms.
Why This Matters The Flemish Poultry Test Farm is not just an ordinary poultry farm—it serves as a research hub where cutting-edge innovations in poultry breeding and water efficiency are explored. By leveraging its expertise and infrastructure, this workshop will foster discussions on how collected rainwater can be utilized effectively, benefiting both industry and local farmers.
The event will serve as a catalyst for broader cooperation, potentially linking industry with agricultural stakeholders to create impactful, long-term water management solutions. These efforts align with the overarching mission of the RETOUCH NEXUS project: to establish more sustainable, integrated, and transparent approaches to water governance.
Join the Conversation We invite local stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives to participate in this crucial dialogue. Together, we can explore innovative strategies to enhance water resilience and sustainability in the region.
