BayFOR at IFAT Munich 2024, World's Leading Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Waste and Raw Materials Management

IFAT Munich 2024, under the guiding theme of “Adapting to the consequences of climate change”, is not only a first-class platform for presenting the latest innovations, but also an ideal place for networking and exchanging knowledge and experiences in water and wastewater technologies. It brings together key international representatives from industry, science, politics and municipalities to discuss forward-looking topics such as water management, waste management, environmental technologies, digitalisation and recycling.

This year's programme features a diverse range of events with particular emphasis on addressing the challenges of water, wastewater, and recycling within the African context. Severe impacts of climate change, combined with lack of or unsustainable water management, are affecting water security and livelihoods in parts of Africa and contributing to increased potential for conflict. Improved water security is also crucial for the revitalisation of ecosystems and sustainable development in Africa and globally. The holistic approach of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus for water reclamation and resource recovery offers many opportunities and research potential. The approach can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but there is currently a lack of implementation.

In cooperation with the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection (StMUV) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) is co-organizing two events in the field of water security in Africa on Tuesday, 14 May 2024:

• Panel discussion "Water Security in Africa - An integrated Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus perspective: Challenges and Opportunities", from 11:30 am to 12:20 pm on the Blue Stage (Hall B2)
• Workshop "Water Security in Africa - An integrated Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus perspective: Implementation & Transfer of Solutions" in room B61 (above Hall B6), from 14:00 to 16:00 followed by a Get-together

On the one hand, the two events will highlight the opportunities and associated technical challenges of integrated water and resource recovery in the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus to support the regeneration of ecosystems. On the other hand, the difficulties in implementing such holistic projects (e.g. short-term project durations) and potential solutions will be deliberated through experience reports from various stakeholders from research, business, politics and funding institutions to enable the long-term and sustainable achievement of objectives.

In addition to regional and national funding opportunities, the European Union, in particular, offers numerous funding opportunities for international research and innovation projects in the WEFE Nexus and the original IFAT thematic areas of (waste) water, waste management, resource utilisation and circular economy. Against the background of global challenges, the participation of African institutions (universities, research institutions, industry, SMEs, municipalities, foundations, etc.) in European funding projects for research and innovation is specifically encouraged.

Also on Tuesday, May 14th, BayFOR, as one of the project partners of the Interreg-CENTRAL EUROPE-project CIRCOTRONIC, will provide five tools and instruments for SMEs for a better circular economy for testing free of charge. The target group is SMEs that have electrical products in their portfolio. Interested parties can contact BayFOR in advance or come to the Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria stand A4 151/250 and find out more about the tools.

Would you like to learn more about European funding opportunities for projects in the field of research and innovation as well as cooperation opportunities for cooperation with African (or Bavarian) institutions? We will be on-site during the fair and will be happy to talk to you personally.

We look forward to meeting you! Please contact us by e-mail in advance to arrange a meeting with at IFAT between May 13 and 17.

Event time

• Panel discussion: Tuesday, 14.05.2024, 11:30 - 12:20 (CEST)
• Workshop: Tuesday, 14.05.2024, 14:00 - 16:00 (CEST) followed by a Get-together at 16:30 CEST at the Bavarian State Ministry of Environment and Consumer Protection „Welcome Desk“, located in the Eastern Entrance (“Eingang Ost”)

Format

The event will take place on site at Messe München. There will be no online broadcast or recording.

More information and registration

General information about IFAT Munich can be found here. A special registration for the two sessions mentioned above is not necessary, just come along and join the discussions!

Event language

English

Contact at BayFOR

Dr. Thomas Ammerl
Head of Department Environment, Energy and Bioeconomy
Phone: +49 89 9901888-120
Email: ammerl@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org

Anna Stegmann
Scientific Coordination Office Bavaria-Africa
Phone: +49 89 9901 888-128
Email: stegmann@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org

Nivedita Mahida-Königsdörfer
Scientific OfficerSME Advisory Services and project management CIRCOTRONIC
Phone: +49 89 9901888-175
Email: mahida@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org