Euregionaal Symposium 2025

Presentatie en (panel)discussie met Johan Rutten, Manager Milieu, Duurzaamheid en Stakeholderschap, Einstein Telescoop projectkantoor • Marc Genten, vertegenwoordiger Province de Liège, Euregio Maas-Rijn • Ann-Sophie Debergh, Coördinator, Landschapspark Bocageland • Michelle Habets, Burgemeester, Gemeente Plombières

Workshop met tolken in DE, FR, NL

De Einstein Telescoop zal een nieuw venster openen naar ruimte en tijd. Door zwaartekrachtsgolven te observeren en diep in de oorsprong van het  HEELAL te kijken, zal het fundamenteel nieuwe kennis genereren op een ongekende manier, wat zal leiden tot toekomstige technologieën. Maar wat zijn technologieën waard, als de mensheid niet in staat is om haar thuisplaneet AARDE, de blauwe marmer van onze melkweg, te behouden? Zou de ET EMR niet alleen een voortrekker kunnen worden in de ruimtewetenschappen en technologieën, maar ook een lichtbakenproject voor duurzame ontwikkeling of zelfs een promotor van regeneratief leiderschap?

Er wordt uitgebreid onderzoek gedaan tijdens de haalbaarheidsstudie van ET EMR voor milieubeheer en stakeholdermanagement, waarbij verschillende Duurzame Ontwikkelingsdoelen (SDG's) in overweging worden genomen. Eco-innovatieve technologieën worden verkend en de impact op biodiversiteit en landschap wordt bestudeerd, met de zoektocht naar manieren om deze te verbeteren in plaats van te verslechteren. Hoe zou de ET EMR niet alleen proberen de milieu-impact te minimaliseren, maar ook leven (van alle soorten) in het Landschapspark Bocageland ondersteunen, als zijn sociaal-ecologische thuis en daarmee als een model buiten de Euregio dienen?

We nodigen u uit om deze vragen met ons te verkennen in deze workshop, geïntroduceerd door een presentatie over de haalbaarheidsstudie voor de duurzaamheid van de ET EMR, gevolgd door een (panel)discussie.

En wat zou Einstein hierover gezegd hebben?

“Bekijk diep in de natuur, en dan zul je alles beter begrijpen.” – Albert Einstein

Talking circle with Dr. Grit Bürgow, Science & Society Office, TU Berlin,RoofWaterFarm and HypoWave • Oliver Ringelstein, INTEWA GmbH • Dr. Olga Murujew, coordinator Aix-Net-WWR • N.N. 

Workshop held in English.

Water cycles are essential for Regeneration. In ecosystems, trees, beavers, soil creatures and other living beings act as daily water and land managers. They intercept, evaporate and infiltrate water. They slow down run-off, keep nutrients in place and rivers clear, dampen surface temperature, seed rain and make climate. In short, by creating small water cycles, healthy ecosystems not only provide (re)sources for drinking & process water, but regenerate the overall conditions for society and economy, and all life to thrive.

In this session we will explore the questions: How can rainwater and wastewater treatment technologies in cities and industries prevent pollution, floods and droughts, save nutrients and support the regeneration of water quality and water cycles in the landscape? How can they be applied in the Three-Countries Park? And how can we match capacities and join forces across borders?

Cross-border match making with Martine Rousseau, coordinator STIPP, Interreg subsidy program • Olivier Heynen, Wallonie Entreprendre • Entrepreneurs from Wallonia, Flanders, Region Aachen, and Dutch Province Limburg

Workshop held in English.

“Climate change knows no borders” – Angela Merkel. So why should we?

Join us for an engaging workshop designed to ignite cross‑border collaboration on green transformation in our border region. We will explore how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from different countries can come together to contribute to drive green transformation.Through real‑world case studies and general information about the cross-border subsidy program STIPP, participants will explore how joint innovation can drive environmental sustainability and regional resilience.

This interactive session aims to equip participants with insights and tools to spark regenerative collaborations that not only heal ecosystems but also build resilient, sustainable economies.

Covering new ground with Alexandra Silinski, Three-Countries Park, PLUS Change project • Bert Reubens, ILVO Instituut voor Landbouw-, Visserij. en Voerdingsoderzoek, AFaktive agroforestry for water management & adaptation • Christina Kuchendorf, BioökonomieRevier, AgroInnoLabs, humus formation with biochar • Lucas Gossiaux, Fondateur associé PlantC • Alexander Zimmer, Marienhof Monheim, European Alliance of Regenerative Agriculture EARA

Workshop held in English.

Sustainable bioeconomy and regenerative farming, including agroforestry, emerge as a promising fields of practice. More and more farmers do not only produce high quality food, but through their regenerative practice also bind carbon in soils, buffer water on their land, provide habitat for biodiversity and enrich the landscape.

At the same time, farmers complain that they are losing fertile land to both urbanization and nature conservation. In addition, the bureaucratic hurdles are high, especially when they farm land across borders in two countries in the border triangle. Female farmers who introduce social and ecological innovations on their farms find it more difficult to gain recognition and financing, as research projects such as GrassCeiling show.

In this session we will hear about exiting examples of regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and climate adaptation, and innovation for a sustainable bioeconomy. We will discuss how regenerative agriculture can be promoted in the Three-Countries Park, how we can join forces across borders and how women can gain importance as farm managers and agricultural innovators.

Creative storytelling with Kimberly Major, Biobased Creations and Wouter Goudswaard, Studio Goudbaard • Nicolas Boey, Water-Land-Schap programma, Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (partners Horizon project PLUS Change) • Marjon Heutmekers, WWF Nederland, lead partner Interreg project SPONGE

Workshop held in English.

In this session we will explore change-in-the-making through arts and storytelling. In the Wimmelbild Circuville, which was created by Biobased Creations within the PLUS change project, you can discover many innovative and regenerative land use activities pioneering circular cities. Follow the characters through the picture and listen to their stories of a bright future.

However, circular cities need regenerative landscapes to thrive. Together, we will draft a complementary Wimmelbild “Spongeland”. We will draw (on) nature-based solutions which slow down water and restore the sponge function in our cross-border landscapes; and we will tell the stories of change-makers like the farmer, the water engineer, the mayor, the landscape architect or the business manager etc. who create, implement or invest in climate-resilient regenerative landscapes.

The Spongeland Wimmelbild will be prepared for the 3LP practice case in PLUS Change. Furthermore, it will also support the development of a cross-border Spongeland strategy during the newly approved Interreg project SPONGE.