The “Water Chair” Approves Its 2026–2027 Scientific Program and Continues to Build on Its Partnerships
- Sustainable Development
- Partnerships
on the July 8, 2026
At a meeting held on July 3, 2026, at the Departmental Center for the Environment and Observation in Valberg, the members of the Steering Committee for the Partnership Chair “Water in the Alpes-Maritimes Region” approved the Chair’s scientific program and action plan for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Chaired by Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department, and attended by Jeanick Brisswalter, President of Université Côte d’Azur, this committee brought together representatives of the Chair’s founding members: the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the seven founding partner public intermunicipal cooperation entities (EPCI) (CAPG, CAPL, CASA, CARF, CCAA, CCPP, MNCA), and Université Côte d’Azur through its Institute for Innovation and Partnership (IMREDD) and its Foundation.
On this occasion, Isabelle La Jeunesse, the Chair’s coordinator, presented a review of the past year’s activities, the progress made by the five working groups, and the Chair’s future development plans. The members unanimously approved the 2026–2027 scientific program, which will continue the work already underway on understanding the resource, its uses, its governance, and the emergence of innovative solutions for the Alpes-Maritimes region.
The morning was dedicated to Water Day, organized jointly by the Alpes-Maritimes Department and the Université Côte d’Azur Foundation, with support from the Chair, to foster the development of solutions to the challenges faced by local communities regarding water resources.
Water Awards Ceremony
The purpose of this year’s event was to honor the winners of the Water Awards, who distinguished themselves through their innovative initiatives promoting sustainable water resource management:
the “Education and Society” Award, worth €5,000, was awarded to Agribio 06 for its “Eau’ptimisons!” project, which helps farmers adopt a more frugal and efficient approach to water management;
the “Young Company” Award, worth €15,000, was presented to Serenity for its “Urban Oasis” project, which develops a 100% self-sufficient urban cooling solution based on a combination of atmospheric condensation, solar energy, and misting technology developed by the Aréco Group.
An International Initiative for REUT
Participants also attended the launch of the International Water Award, dedicated to the reuse of treated wastewater (REUT). Led by the Alpes-Maritimes Department and the Côte d’Azur University Foundation, and supported by the Chair, this call for projects offers a €50,000 grant and aims to promote innovative solutions for the regeneration of wastewater of varying quality depending on demand and intended use.
The morning concluded with an immersive session in Valberg’s magnificent planetarium, led by Isabelle La Jeunesse and Stéphane Croutte, the planetarium’s manager, offering participants a unique perspective on the challenges of preserving water resources on planet Earth.
