Conferences and Workshops

EGU 2026

The 2026 EGU General Assembly took place in Vienna from May 3 to 8, 2026, bringing together scientists from around the world to discuss the latest research in Earth system sciences. Representatives from the Helmholtz Water Initiative were also in attendance, presenting their research and using the conference as an opportunity for professional exchange and networking within the international water sector.

Ralf Merz presented the paper “Scaling Up Buckets – Using Large-Scale Data to Build a Regional Hydrological Model.” The presentation focused on the development of regional hydrological models based on large-scale datasets to better represent water balances and human impacts on the water cycle.

Daniela Peña-Guerrero presented the study “Fast-responding near-natural hydrological systems as early markers of socio-economic drought impacts.” The research examines how fast-responding hydrological systems can be used as early warning indicators of socio-economic drought impacts, thereby helping to improve drought early warning systems.

SOLVE Kick-off meeting on March 23 & 24, 2026

On 23 and 24 March 2026, the kick-off meeting of the Solution Lab SOLVE took place at the Weinberg Campus in Halle. The event brought together numerous researchers as well as representatives from practice and administration from Germany and the Czech Republic to discuss key challenges in water management within the Elbe river basin. Together, participants identified knowledge gaps and priority needs that the project will address over the next three years. The aim is to develop practice-oriented solutions and further strengthen collaboration between research and implementation.

SOLVE at "Tag der Hydrologie 2026" (Hydrology Day)

From 4 to 6 March 2026, the SOLVE team was represented at “Tag der Hydrologie” in Kassel. Under the theme "Water Resources Under Pressure," the conference brought together researchers and practitioners to discuss current challenges in hydrology, including issues of water quality, water balance under increasing hydrological extremes, and adaptation measures for sustainable water management.

For SOLVE, the conference provided a valuable opportunity for exchange, to engage in ongoing discussions within the hydrological community and to learn about perspectives from research and practice. These insights contribute to the further development of approaches that combine scientific findings with practical solutions for sustainable water management.
 

The discussions will be continued and deepened at the SOLVE kick-off meeting on 23–24 March 2026 in Halle.

SLRE Kick-off Meeting

The kickoff meeting for the Solution Lab SLRE took place in Leipzig on February 26–27, 2026. Fifteen scientists from four Helmholtz Centers attended.