The webstival is an online meeting that replicates some aspects of traditional festivals, dedicated to the dialogue between scientists, stakeholders and society. In the TRANSCEND project, this event aimed to connect partners with policies and stakeholders across the 7 Living Labs, complementing other outreach and training event formats.
Agenda, Topics, and Recordings
The 1st TRANSCEND Webstival took place over three days, from December 13 to December 15, 2023, bringing together keynote speeches, panel discussions, technical presentations, and interactive sessions. This page provides an overview of the programme, the topics that were covered, and access to recordings and materials
Day 1 — December 13, 2023
Setting the Scene: Introduction, Keynote, and Living Labs
The first day opened with a presentation of the TRANSCEND project and an introduction to the Webstival by C. Dionisio Pérez-Blanco (USAL). This was followed by a keynote by Giuliano Di Baldassarre of Uppsala University, focusing on “Water and Society”, and a panel discussion where Living Lab leaders and invited experts introduced their case studies.
Keynote — Water and Society
The keynote explored the complex interactions between water systems and society, highlighting how:
– water-related risks (such as floods and droughts) were shaped by both natural and human factors
– social dynamics, governance structures, and risk perception influenced outcomes
– integrated approaches were essential for effective water management and climate adaptation
Panel Discussion – TRANSCEND Living Labs
The panel discussion provided a shared overview of the seven TRANSCEND Living Labs. Lab leaders and invited experts presented the key characteristics of their respective river basins, described local challenges and critical issues and shared initial perspectives on adaptation pathways. This session enabled a first comparative understanding across diverse geographical and institutional contexts.
Day 2 — December 14, 2023
Modelling and Applications: The TRANSCEND Modelling Blueprint
The second day of the Webstival was dedicated to one of the core components of the TRANSCEND project: the Modelling Blueprint, which aims to integrate climate, hydrological, and socio-economic dynamics into a coherent decision-support framework for climate adaptation.
The morning sessions were led by Manuel Pulido Velázquez (UPV) and David Purkey (SEI) in the first time zone, and by Manuel Pulido Velázquez (UPV) and Héctor Macian (UPV) in the second. Across both sessions, the presentations provided a comprehensive overview of the modelling architecture, highlighting how different components are connected to support scenario analysis, policy evaluation, and adaptation planning under uncertainty.
Building on this conceptual foundation, the day moved towards more applied perspectives, exploring how the modelling framework can be translated into practice. A key contribution came from Francesco Sapino (USAL), who presented a case study based on the Cega Catchment in Spain, developed within the TALANOA-WATER project.
The Cega Catchment represents a highly relevant context for testing participatory and modelling approaches, as it is a largely unregulated basin exposed to recurring droughts and floods, combined with increasing pressure from groundwater-dependent agriculture. To address these challenges, a multi-model ensemble was developed, integrating climate projections, decision support tools, and socio-economic modelling components.
Within this framework, participants engaged in a serious game exercise designed to simulate collective decision-making. Working through different rounds, they selected combinations of infrastructure, management, and financial measures to respond to the simulated conditions. The exercise made explicit the trade-offs between economic, environmental, and labour-related outcomes, with results showing a decrease in profit (−12.92%), environmental performance (−22.69%), and labour conditions (−24.50%) depending on the chosen strategies.
A complementary perspective was provided by SEI, focusing on additional potential applications of the modelling blueprint and its role in supporting adaptive water management strategies across different contexts.
The day concluded with two breakout group sessions, organised across two time zones. These sessions brought together participants from a wide range of regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, enabling a rich exchange of experiences and perspectives. Discussions were held in English in the first group and in Spanish in the second, allowing participants to reflect on the applicability of the modelling approach in very different institutional and geographical settings.
Day 3 — December 15, 2023
Conclusions and Next Steps
The third and final day of the Webstival focused on reflecting on the discussions held throughout the event, gathering participants’ impressions, and outlining the next steps for the TRANSCEND project. Rather than introducing new technical content, the session created a space for consolidation and exchange. Participants revisited the key themes that had emerged over the previous days — from the conceptual framing of water and society, to the role of modelling in supporting decision-making, and the importance of engaging stakeholders through participatory approaches such as serious games.
Particular attention was given to the challenges of moving from knowledge to action. Discussions highlighted the need to go beyond pilot initiatives and to create the conditions for scaling solutions, including stronger governance frameworks, sustained funding mechanisms, and enhanced institutional capacity. The importance of integrating scientific evidence into policy processes, especially in contexts characterised by uncertainty, was also repeatedly emphasised.
The session also provided an opportunity to reflect on the diversity of contexts represented within the TRANSCEND Living Labs. Participants shared insights on common challenges – such as water scarcity, extreme events, and competing demands – while also acknowledging the need for locally tailored approaches that account for specific environmental, social, and institutional conditions.
Looking ahead, the conversation turned to the future development of the project. The Webstival was recognised as an important starting point for building a shared community of practice, which will continue to evolve through ongoing collaboration, further testing of the modelling blueprint, and continued engagement with stakeholders across all Living Labs.