Following the success of our inaugural international workshop held in Venice in May 2025, the TRANSCEND project traveled to Valencia, Spain, for its 2nd International Stakeholder Workshop. This event marked a vital step forward, bringing together partners and stakeholders from all project Living Labs to turn the vision of transformational adaptation into a practical reality.
Day 1: Barriers, opportunities and pathwasy to transformational adaptation
The first day was defined by high-energy group activities designed to move beyond theory and into systemic change. The sessions were structured into two key phases:
- Barriers and Opportunities: Stakeholders worked together to identify the regulatory, financial, and social hurdles standing in the way of resilient water management.
- Pathways to Transformation: Building on the first session, the groups mapped out specific “pathways”—actionable steps to overcome the barriers identified within the Júcar River Basin.
The day included the Júcar Basin Serious Game, a hands-on simulation where participants tested these strategic decisions and adaptation policies in real-time, seeing the immediate consequences of their choices on the basin’s future.
Day 2: Ecological Insights at Albufera
The second day focused on the connection between policy and the environment. The group took part in a field trip to the Albufera wetlands, a site of ecological and cultural importance. This visit provided a crucial real-world context, allowing participants to: witness the delicate balance between agricultural needs and ecosystem preservation, and see firsthand the challenges of water quality and quantity that TRANSCEND aims to address.
What’s Next?
The outcomes from the Valencia sessions will directly inform the next phase of the Living Labs’ activities. The synergy between the strategic decisions made at the 3rd General Assembly and the stakeholder feedback from the workshop will boost the work of the TRANSCEND project through its last year.
Want to learn more about our specific Living Labs? Check out our dedicated section here.