Steering Committee and Stakeholders workshop, 13–14 November 2025
24/11/2025
On November 13 and 14, 2025, a significant Steering Committee meeting and stakeholder workshop were held in Altamura and Bari, Italy, as part of the BLUE RECHARGE project. This project brings together partners from Italy and Croatia with the aim of improving the management of groundwater and surface waters through innovative mechanisms.
The first day, dedicated to the Steering Committee, focused on internal coordination and operational decisions related to pilot projects for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), development and application of the Blue Credits model, budgeting, communication activities, and stakeholder engagement. Participants reviewed the overall project status, key milestones, and progress in work packages covering research, implementation, and communication.
Special attention was given to the Blue Credits model, a system that encourages the preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems through a “payment for ecosystem services” approach. This model represents an innovative method to valorize ecological benefits and strengthen resource sustainability. Potential risks were discussed, and corrective measures were defined to ensure continued project progress. One of the key project outputs is a handbook summarizing major results and providing legal, economic, and environmental guidelines for implementing the “blue stewardship” mechanism—designed to support replicability of the model across the EU.
The second day, held in Bari at Regione Puglia, was dedicated to a broad stakeholder workshop involving institutions, researchers, and technical experts. Moderated by Prof. Antonio Stasi (DARe Puglia), the programme featured institutional greetings by Chiara Toziano (Regione Puglia), followed by a comprehensive presentation of the project by Saša Moharić (City of Vodnjan-Dignano).
Participants were introduced to preliminary project results through contributions from:
- Fausto Villani (EXO) – Presentation of the BLUE-RECHARGE platform
- Bojana Hajduk Černeha (IVS) & Diana Mance (UNIRI FIZRI) – Croatian case study
- Alessandro Bosso (ART-ER) – Blue Credits design and testing
- Francesco Cavazza (CER) – MAR in Emilia-Romagna and wetlands case study
An extended round-table session titled Sustainable Management of Water Resources: A Comparison of Experiences gathered several regional and research institutions working on water management, reuse, climate resilience, and digital innovation:
- Domenica Lepore & Anna Maria Nico (Water Resources Department, Regione Puglia) – Assessments of controlled aquifer recharge and the regulatory framework for reuse of treated wastewater
- Lucia D’Accolti (UNIBA) – WASP project: Water as a Sustainable Product
- Davide De Nicolò (TECNOPOLIS PST) – GROWTH4BLUE: workforce transformation and innovation in the blue economy
- Stefano Marino (Acquedotto Pugliese S.p.A.) – AQUA project on water-utility resilience
- Lorenzo Di Taranto (POLIBA) – Machine Learning and Deep Learning applications for understanding aquifer dynamics
This broad participation ensured representation from universities, regional authorities, water utilities, science and technology parks, and research organizations, providing a rich exchange of insights and best practices relevant to Blue Credits and MAR implementation.
The day concluded with an open discussion highlighting synergies and an institutional closing session confirming commitments for further collaboration.
Through collaboration, scientific innovation, and strong involvement of local stakeholders, the BLUE RECHARGE project continues to promote sustainable water resource management and lays the foundation for long-term protection and valorization of natural resources across this vital region of Europe.
