On 18 November 2024, the “Green Water Processes” consortium—of which the FOREWARD project is a part—officially kicked off in Beijing. Supported by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the consortium is dedicated to addressing pressing challenges in water management, particularly those related to water purification and wastewater treatment.

The FOREWARD project, jointly led by Leiden University, Wageningen University, and CAS, will focus on advancing innovation and strengthening knowledge on wastewater from both human and livestock sources. Working closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, the project seeks to develop new models and technologies that are environmentally friendly, climate-resilient, cost-effective, and adaptable to various local contexts.

The two-day kick-off event began with consortium-wide meetings, presentations, and workshops, followed by project-specific sessions. This structure fostered a shared understanding of the consortium’s overarching goals and helped align perspectives, ambitions, and objectives across all participating projects. Representatives from industry and government also took part, underscoring the interdisciplinary and solution-driven nature of the consortium.