The EIA held a cocktail party on Thursday 7 November 2024, in the business center of Eima exhibition (Bologna, Italy).

The EIA organized a cocktail party on Thursday 7 November 2024, in the business center of Eima show (Bologna, Italy). Around 80 people from Europe and the rest of the world, members and non-members alike, attended the cocktail. Eima, where the entire European and international irrigation profession meets every two years, was an excellent opportunity to organize our annual event. It was a chance for us all to celebrate the association’s strong growth over the last 4 years, and the various projects it has in the pipeline for 2025. Four years ago, the association had 34 members, compared with 85 today.

 

Fleur Martin, the EIA communication officer, wished a warm welcome to the participants and thanked the EIA members for their concerning and participation in the activities of the association, working groups, online forums, board meetings and face to face events. Without them the development of the association won’t have been possible.

 

Then Moshi Berenstein, the EIA President, started with a summary of activities and achievements 2021-2024, and up-dated the 6 WG of the association (Sustainability in agriculture, Urban Landscape, Standardization, Training and knowledge transfer, Wastewater reuse and Communication).  Then, he moved to the Strategic Road Map 2025 and its 5 pilars :

 

1- Recognize the Irrigation sector as a contributor to sustainability, allowing access to Sustainable finance capital and Green Funds, focus on Taxonomy.

 

2- Advocacy activities: Institution mapping, Public Consultations, Flagship events, support balanced policies (EU and regions), share information with members, call for members participation.

 

3- Building Multi-stakeholders Partnerships in the food chain (AG), and with collectivities (Urban Landscape).

 

4- Building a Knowledge transfer and training framework.

 

5- Visibility with the aim of communicating and increasing awareness on water conservation, becoming the voice of Irrigation sector.

 

The presentation was followed by a convivial moment of sharing over a glass of wine and a snack. This cocktail was also the opportunity to meet – physically this time – experts and irrigation professionals sharing the same concerning.

 

We know how sustainable the sector can be, join our forces to demonstrate it !