Periodic Reporting for period 3 - NEXOGENESIS (Facilitating the next generation of effective and intelligent water-related policies utilising artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning to assess the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) nexus)
Reporting period: 2024-09-01 to 2025-08-31
Water, energy, food, and ecosystems (WEFE) are connected. Managing the WEFE nexus is challenging due to complexity. Shifts in nexus are driven by biophysical and human conditions. To manage resources, policies must be designed coherently. Policy objectives tend to be developed with little consideration of other sectors. Policy implementation may change nexus characteristics. EU policies have been developed largely sectorally. There is opportunity to improve policy design based on research. A better understanding of policy impact on the WEFE nexus is required if synergy is to be achieved. Improved understanding will facilitate coherent water-related policy design to achieve resource use efficiency, leverage synergies, and promote cooperation. The problem is: (i) a complex, poorly understood system; (b) the lack of ecosystem integration; (c) sectoral policy development; (d) a lack of understanding of policy impact.
Our main outputs and recommendations are summarised as:
- the stakeholder co-creation approach is finalised in 5 case studies and codified into a step-by-step guidance for replication, including lessons learned and best practices.
- policy and governance assessment is completed and informed the design of policies.
- policy packages are co-created and validated in all case studies and integrated in the SLNAE.
- User Validated Policy Packages are co-created and validated
- Governance roadmaps are co-created and validated with stakeholders in all case studies.
- Letter of intent for continued stakeholder collaboration beyond the project are signed in the three cases: Lielupe, Nestos/Mesta, and Jiu.
- A NEXOGENESIS stakeholder agreement, composed of UVPPs, governance roadmaps and letter of intent resulting from the stakeholder co-creation approach for WEFE nexus governance is achieved in Lielupe and Nestos/Mesta
- Building blocks of a stakeholder agreement are achieved in Jiu, Adige and Inkomati-Usuthu
- A guidance for stakeholder co-creation of WEFE nexus governance is developed
- state-of-the-art, coherently generated and downscaled WEFE nexus projection data for biophysical and socioeconomic domains are delivered.
- uncertainty is quantified and fed into WEFE nexus models.
- novel WEFE nexus system dynamics models developed.
- WEFE Footprint developed. The coherent and consistent approach facilitates outscaling to other areas.
- SLNAE / NEPAT developed in all case studies.
- the NEXOGENESIS case study coordination roadmap is developed, with guidelines published. Lessons learned are made available for guidance in future projects.
Our main outputs and recommendations are summarised as:
- the stakeholder co-creation approach is finalised in 5 case studies and codified into a step-by-step guidance for replication, including lessons learned and best practices.
- policy and governance assessment is completed and informed the design of policies.
- policy packages are co-created and validated in all case studies and integrated in the SLNAE.
- User Validated Policy Packages are co-created and validated
- Governance roadmaps are co-created and validated with stakeholders in all case studies.
- Letter of intent for continued stakeholder collaboration beyond the project are signed in the three cases: Lielupe, Nestos/Mesta, and Jiu.
- A NEXOGENESIS stakeholder agreement, composed of UVPPs, governance roadmaps and letter of intent resulting from the stakeholder co-creation approach for WEFE nexus governance is achieved in Lielupe and Nestos/Mesta
- Building blocks of a stakeholder agreement are achieved in Jiu, Adige and Inkomati-Usuthu
- A guidance for stakeholder co-creation of WEFE nexus governance is developed
- state-of-the-art, coherently generated and downscaled WEFE nexus projection data for biophysical and socioeconomic domains are delivered.
- uncertainty is quantified and fed into WEFE nexus models.
- novel WEFE nexus system dynamics models developed.
- WEFE Footprint developed. The coherent and consistent approach facilitates outscaling to other areas.
- SLNAE / NEPAT developed in all case studies.
- the NEXOGENESIS case study coordination roadmap is developed, with guidelines published. Lessons learned are made available for guidance in future projects.
The main policy-related messages are:
- Support cross-sectoral policy-making by allocating resources and providing a clear mandate to develop cross-sectoral decision-making structures;
- Consider Sustainable Development Goals as a platform for streaming WEFE nexus thinking into policy-making;
- Support circular policies via existing and new decision-making;
- Support WEFE nexus data collection, and encourage harmonisation, integration and interoperability via dedicated resources as part of WEFE nexus decision-making approaches;
- Support public-private partnerships as cross-sectoral instrument fostering a WEFE nexus approach;
- Standardise local transboundary and cross-national nexus cooperation;
- Secure financial support for an EU water-smart transition.
Overview of the results and their exploitation and dissemination:
developed an integrated approach to strengthen WEFE nexus governance through four Key Exploitable Results: the NEPAT tool, the WEFE Nexus Footprint, the User-Validated Policy Packages, and the Nexus Governance Guidebook. Each result was supported by a factsheet and presented on webpages that showcase the final outputs and link to relevant resources.
Exploitation pathways for all KERs were defined through bilateral discussions and internal and external workshops, detailed in D6.10. For NEPAT, three routes were identified: offering the tool together with the full NEXOGENESIS approach as a service, providing NEPAT independently for users with their own data and models, and enabling continued use within existing and future case studies. The WEFE Nexus Footprint will be exploited as part of NEPAT, while the UVPPs show strong potential as governance and policy co-creation tools and may complement consultancy or capacity-building services despite currently being open access. The Nexus Governance Guidebook is openly accessible and may be used similarly to support training or advisory activities.
During the final period, dissemination activities ensured strong visibility at EU, national and local levels. The project published 63 news articles, attracted more than 5,300 website users, and reached 1,572 followers across its social media channels. It released 41 videos, 21 factsheets, and eight newsletters sent to 222 subscribers. Scientific visibility was strengthened through 27 published papers with 23 additional publications planned, alongside 78 external articles and press releases. The consortium also participated in 68 external events, organised 34 events of its own, and produced three policy briefs, ensuring broad and effective outreach across all stakeholder groups.
- Support cross-sectoral policy-making by allocating resources and providing a clear mandate to develop cross-sectoral decision-making structures;
- Consider Sustainable Development Goals as a platform for streaming WEFE nexus thinking into policy-making;
- Support circular policies via existing and new decision-making;
- Support WEFE nexus data collection, and encourage harmonisation, integration and interoperability via dedicated resources as part of WEFE nexus decision-making approaches;
- Support public-private partnerships as cross-sectoral instrument fostering a WEFE nexus approach;
- Standardise local transboundary and cross-national nexus cooperation;
- Secure financial support for an EU water-smart transition.
Overview of the results and their exploitation and dissemination:
developed an integrated approach to strengthen WEFE nexus governance through four Key Exploitable Results: the NEPAT tool, the WEFE Nexus Footprint, the User-Validated Policy Packages, and the Nexus Governance Guidebook. Each result was supported by a factsheet and presented on webpages that showcase the final outputs and link to relevant resources.
Exploitation pathways for all KERs were defined through bilateral discussions and internal and external workshops, detailed in D6.10. For NEPAT, three routes were identified: offering the tool together with the full NEXOGENESIS approach as a service, providing NEPAT independently for users with their own data and models, and enabling continued use within existing and future case studies. The WEFE Nexus Footprint will be exploited as part of NEPAT, while the UVPPs show strong potential as governance and policy co-creation tools and may complement consultancy or capacity-building services despite currently being open access. The Nexus Governance Guidebook is openly accessible and may be used similarly to support training or advisory activities.
During the final period, dissemination activities ensured strong visibility at EU, national and local levels. The project published 63 news articles, attracted more than 5,300 website users, and reached 1,572 followers across its social media channels. It released 41 videos, 21 factsheets, and eight newsletters sent to 222 subscribers. Scientific visibility was strengthened through 27 published papers with 23 additional publications planned, alongside 78 external articles and press releases. The consortium also participated in 68 external events, organised 34 events of its own, and produced three policy briefs, ensuring broad and effective outreach across all stakeholder groups.
WP1 developed anovel stakeholders’ cocreation approach to foster WEFE nexus governance --> offer a tool to facilitate dialogue on resources management. The approach is useful to assess barriers and leverages to nexus governance and policy, and to stimulate stakeholders to reconsider perspectives on resource management problems. Guidebook helps future projects in developing impactful co-creation approaches, beyond resources management.
Data projections are elaborated and harmonised across scales and locations. Open access on repository means others have access to novel data contributions on the nexus. Uncertainty is quanitfied.
WP3 builds novel SD models of the WEFE nexus, advancing the SOA on the WEFE nexus. For the first time in this context assess uncertainty across scenarios and under policy implementation. The integration of ecosystems is novel. The WEFE Nexus Footprint is novel. Future work can further build on ecosystems integration and cost/benefit analysis.
The SLNAE/NEPAT is unique, with no known similar tool available. Allows users to assess nexus interlinkages, policy impacts, and uncertinaty. Uses AI to offer policy package recommendations to promote discussion in the real world. Built on real cases, with SOA data and policy impact assessment. NEPAT is already promiting discussion in the case studies. Could in principle be extended to other cases anywhere. Use of the new WEFE footprint is also novel. Functionalities are being developed with feedback from stakeholder interactions.
WP5 developed a case study and stakeholder engagement strategy and promotes best practices for cooperation. Recommendations cover gaps, inconsistencies and ambiguities, promote systems-thinking, and focus on smooth and efficient stakeholder engagement. Dissemination of outcomes, both case study specific and general, represent an exemplar towards future sustainable development.
In WP6 raising awareness about the WEFE challenges through a modern social media strategy and by promoting policy messages at EC level. It considers how solutions are exploitable after the project ends, and impacts local and European policy through policy briefs.
Data projections are elaborated and harmonised across scales and locations. Open access on repository means others have access to novel data contributions on the nexus. Uncertainty is quanitfied.
WP3 builds novel SD models of the WEFE nexus, advancing the SOA on the WEFE nexus. For the first time in this context assess uncertainty across scenarios and under policy implementation. The integration of ecosystems is novel. The WEFE Nexus Footprint is novel. Future work can further build on ecosystems integration and cost/benefit analysis.
The SLNAE/NEPAT is unique, with no known similar tool available. Allows users to assess nexus interlinkages, policy impacts, and uncertinaty. Uses AI to offer policy package recommendations to promote discussion in the real world. Built on real cases, with SOA data and policy impact assessment. NEPAT is already promiting discussion in the case studies. Could in principle be extended to other cases anywhere. Use of the new WEFE footprint is also novel. Functionalities are being developed with feedback from stakeholder interactions.
WP5 developed a case study and stakeholder engagement strategy and promotes best practices for cooperation. Recommendations cover gaps, inconsistencies and ambiguities, promote systems-thinking, and focus on smooth and efficient stakeholder engagement. Dissemination of outcomes, both case study specific and general, represent an exemplar towards future sustainable development.
In WP6 raising awareness about the WEFE challenges through a modern social media strategy and by promoting policy messages at EC level. It considers how solutions are exploitable after the project ends, and impacts local and European policy through policy briefs.