The iMERMAID project received high-level visibility in Brussels this week during the First Water Resilience Forum, a landmark event hosted by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).
We are incredibly proud to see our partner Naomi Timmer (Director of H2O People and the European Junior Water Programme – EJWP) brilliantly showcasing the iMERMAID Schooling Programme to Europe’s top policymakers.A standout moment of the forum was Naomi’s opportunity to introduce EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall to our project’s specific activities regarding youth engagement and education.
The iMERMAID Schooling Programme is designed to raise awareness about chemical pollution and water protection among the younger generation, and presenting this initiative directly to the Commissioner underscores the vital role societal engagement plays in the EU’s broader Water Resilience Strategy.
The forum gathered key figures, including Kata Tüttő, Séamus Boland, and water advocates like Henk Ovink and MEP Thomas Bajada, all united by a single message: water is central to Europe’s future.
Naomi carried the iMERMAID message into these high-level discussions, emphasizing that technical solutions for zero pollution must be paired with systemic support, leadership, and inclusion. As she noted, “Resilience starts with people.”At iMERMAID, we believe that monitoring and remediation technologies are only half the battle. By empowering communities and youth through initiatives like our Schooling Programme, we are building the long-term societal support needed for a truly water-smart Europe.
Learn more about our schooling programme here.
