Multi-Stakeholder Forums (MSFs) have been a central part of the WATERVERSE project. The MSFs have been applied to engage a diverse group of stakeholders from water utilities, enterprise to authorities, researchers, and citizens. Through the exchange of perspectives, validation of technical developments, and identification of governance needs, the MSFs have helped shape the Water Data Management Ecosystem (WDME) bound by the FAIR principles, improving the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability of water data.
Across the six pilots, the third MSFs have focused on reflecting on project achievements, exploring governance and investment needs, and discussing the importance of voluntary, non-regulatory approaches, the need for clear governance structures, and the role of behavioural change and capacity building in supporting sustainable data use.
Interactive methods such as digital whiteboards and Mentimeter sparked lively discussions, bringing to light the challenges around interoperability, privacy, and data sharing. Participation in the MSFs showed strong overall engagement, with over 350 stakeholders from 125 organisations participating since the start of the project. An average of 16 participants joined the third MSF across the six pilots.
The MSFs confirm that co-creation and dialogue are essential for building trust and resilience in digital water management. By bringing diverse voices to the table, the forums not only validated technical tools but also ensured that local priorities and user needs shaped their development. This joint process helped increase stakeholder ownership, reduce barriers to adoption, and foster a shared vision for how data can strengthen resilience in the water sector.
The MSFs confirm that stakeholder co-creation and dialogue are essential for building trust and resilience in digital water management. They have shown how bringing different perspectives together has helped tailor solutions to real needs, strengthened ownership, and accelerated adoption.
