NexusNet successfully participated in the Dresden Nexus Conference 2025 (DNC2025), held from April 8 to April 10, 2025. This conference served as a crucial platform for discussions surrounding sustainability, resilience, and digitalization within the built environment. It convened global experts to foster the development of impactful solutions.

On April 9, 2025, members of NexusNet’s COST Action conducted an interactive workshop entitled Practices in WEF+ Nexus: Showcasing Impactful Projects at the DNC2025 conference in Dresden.

Chairs: Professor Mirela Sertić Perić (University of Zagreb, Croatia), Professor Edyta Hewelke (Warsaw University of Life Science, Poland), Juliana Gomes Chediek (University of Coimbra, Portugal)

This 90-minute session combined a scientific panel discussion with an interactive workshop to examine best practices in assessing the impact of Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus projects. The session featured succinct presentations on proposed indicators for measuring the impact of WEF Nexus initiatives, accompanied by recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness. Following these presentations, a workshop provided participants with the opportunity to validate both the proposed indicators and the recommendations for impact assessment. The panel discussion facilitated the exchange of diverse perspectives, enabling participants to share insights on lessons learned and the applicability of the proposed methodologies. The overarching aim of the session was to refine strategies for evaluating the impacts of Nexus projects and to contribute to actionable policy recommendations.

The session was organized by NexusNet members, which includes Mirela Sertić Perić, Edyta Hewelke, Hai-Ying Liu, Janez Sušnik, Floor Brouwer, Ivar Zekker, Barbora Duží, Dr. Dimitris Kofinas, Dr. Stefania Munaretto, Assistant Professor Giannis Adamos, Professor Chrysi Laspidou, and Juliana Gomes Chediek.

Session goals

• Refine strategies for assessing the impact of WEF+ Nexus projects.
• Contribute to actionable policy recommendations to increase the impact of Nexus projects.
• Engage diverse participants, including academics, policy makers, sector practitioners, and students/junior researchers, in small group discussions.
• Assess the practicality, applicability, and relevance of proposed indicators and recommendations based on participants’ expertise and experience.
• Facilitate a panel discussion to gather a variety of perspectives on improving the impact of Nexus projects.
• Share key insights on lessons learned and evaluate the applicability of proposed methodologies in real-life contexts.

The anticipated participant groups encompassed academics, including researchers and experts affiliated with academic institutions, who contributed theoretical knowledge and research-based findings. Policymakers and government representatives also participated, providing their insights on policy and regulatory matters. Practitioners from relevant industries contributed practical experience and expertise from their respective fields. Furthermore, students and early-career researchers participated, offering novel perspectives and innovative ideas.

In Part 1, participants initially ranked the proposed indicators for assessing the impact of the WEF+ Nexus project independently, drawing upon their expertise and experience. Subsequently, they shared their rankings within group settings, where members articulated their selections and the rationale underpinning them. Through these group discussions, participants engaged in a comparative analysis of perspectives, which facilitated a collective understanding of the most pertinent indicators and promoted a holistic approach to impact measurement. The collaborative dialogue contributed to the refinement of the key indicators by integrating a variety of insights.

In a similar vein, during Part 2, participants individually ranked the proposed recommendations aimed at enhancing the impact of the WEF+ Nexus project, utilizing their personal experiences and insights. Subsequently, groups presented their rankings along with their rationale, which fostered a comprehensive discussion regarding the effectiveness of each recommendation. Through collective deliberation, participants evaluated the strengths and limitations of various recommendations, ultimately striving to reach a consensus on the most effective strategies for improving the project’s outcomes.

The primary conclusions drawn from the discussion encompass practical recommendations for evaluating the impacts of Nexus projects, as well as a variety of perspectives regarding the efficacy of Nexus impact assessment methodologies. The discourse yielded actionable insights for the incorporation of findings into both current and forthcoming Nexus initiatives, while promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences related to effective and innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the impact of Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus projects. Furthermore, the event provided significant networking opportunities, thereby fostering collaboration and innovation among participants.

NexusNet Cost Action is pleased to acknowledge the significant contributions of Action Chair Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Vice-Rector of Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations, and Digital Governance of University of Thessaly, and Action Vice-Chair Adjunct Professor Dr. Floor Brouwer, United Nations University. Professor Chrysi Laspidou has served as a valued member of the Scientific Committee and participated as an international expert panelist at DNC2025. Similarly, Adjunct Professor Dr. Floor Brouwer contributed as a member of the Scientific Committee at DNC2025. Their leadership exemplifies our commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation in the field of sustainable development.