As we begin the third year of the RETOUCH NEXUS project, we are excited to celebrate this milestone with an in-person meeting, hosted by our Maltese partners, from January 22 to 24!

On the agenda: reviewing project progress and achievements, breakout sessions, brainstorming and discussions on key outcomes, a visit to the EWA Desalination Plant, and, of course, defining the next steps for the third year of the project!

The RETOUCH NEXUS 4th General Assembly provided an opportunity for all partners to discuss the progress made over the past year and the next steps for 2025. Each case study had the chance to present their work, exchange ideas with others, and identify synergies. This allowed them to learn from one another and better prepare for future challenges together.

“In the first year we managed to assess what we are, in the second year actions happened and now, in the third year we plan to react and interact.”

 

– RETOUCH NEXUS’ Project Coordinator Maria Vrachioli (TUM)

Several group sessions were organised to have thematic discussions and to think the project’s advancements from theory to practice within our different work packages.

During a special session, Jean Karl Micallef-Grimaud, Tech Lead at Greening the Islands Foundation presented the GTI Webapp.

Part of the RETOUCH NEXUS project, the GtI App promotes best practices among islands serving as innovative laboratories in the fight against climate change.

Acting as a virtual hub, the app connects stakeholders working to support island sustainability efforts, enabling collaboration on key issues such as energy, water, waste, and mobility.

On the third day of the meeting, our host, the Energy and Water Agency (EWA), took us on a visit to the Lapsi Reverse Osmosis Plant, which is part of the project’s Maltese case study. Located in the southeast of the island, this site provided an opportunity for all our partners to learn how a desalination plant operates and even sample the water produced through this process

Stepping into 2025: shaping the Future together!

2025 will be a year full of event attendings such as the  WEFE Nexus International Conference in February or the Dresden Nexus Conference in April.  We also aim at continuing to create synergies with other european projects. Regarding our Case Studies, this year will see the incorporation on our website of their dashboards on baseline for economic, financial and business instruments.

As our Project Cordinator said, 2025 will be the year of reaction and interaction so stay stuned ! 

Reliving the moment: highlights from the Meeting!