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Catalan Institute for Water Research

Research and Innovation for the sustainable use of water

Water Resilience & Global Change

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v02

Dates: From 25 to 29 May 2026

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Location: ICRA, Girona, Spain

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Fee:

550€ (VAT included)

300€ (VAT included): Middle income and low resource countries 

(Fee includes all lunches, coffee breaks, site visit to the to the Constructed Wetlands of Empuriabrava and the restored coastal wetlands of La Pletera, city tour to Girona and a networking dinner). Travel to and from Girona and accommodation in Girona is not included and should be organized by the participants.

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Background

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Join us for an immersive Frontier School hosted by the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), designed for early-career researchers passionate about tackling global water pollution challenges.


This isn’t your standard summer school with long, passive lectures and minimal interaction. We’re redefining the experience with a dynamic, modern format. Picture this: presentations delivered by world-class scientists at the forefront of their fields, ample time for lively debates, and interactive sessions designed to challenge and engage participants.


Alongside the top-notch intellectual experience, the event will be infused with local flavour, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Girona and the Costa Brava, including a site visit to the to the Constructed Wetlands of Empuriabrava and the restored coastal wetlands of La Pletera.

Who Should Attend?

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PhD students, postdocs, and young professionals in environmental sciences, engineering, or related fields.

Program topics include:

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Module 1. Nature-based solutions (NBS) for climate adaptation

This module introduces Nature-Based Solutions for urban water treatment, water reclamation, and sustainable drainage. The students will explore applications such as treatment wetlands and will be taught how NBS enhance biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change, while also addressing emerging contaminants as a complementary aspect.

Main speaker: Bernhard Puchner (BOKU, Vienna, Austria) and Victor Matamoros (CSIC, Barcelona).

Module 2. Freshwater ecosystems under Global change

This module explores how freshwater ecosystems respond to global change, including climate warming, water scarcity, and pollution. Students will examine ecological responses of aquatic organisms and learn approaches for monitoring and predicting ecosystem shifts. Emphasis is placed on adaptive management strategies to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functions under multiple, interacting stressors.
Main speaker: Sergi Sabater (ICRA-UdG, Spain)

Module 3. Integrated tools to support water resilience

This module introduces integrated modelling and decision-support tools to enhance water system resilience under climate and societal pressures. Students will explore different types of tools and their data requirements, and will apply them to real decision-making contexts, learning how to generate informed, robust strategies for sustainable and adaptive water management.
Main speaker: Natasa Atanasova (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Module 4. Communication and dissemination of research results

This module equips PhD students with skills to effectively communicate and disseminate research outcomes. It includes expert talks from researchers who have successfully translated their work into spin-offs, along with a practical exercise where participants pitch their project or research. A jury of experts will evaluate the pitches and provide feedback, helping participants improve their communication and transfer skills for diverse audiences, including stakeholders and investors.
Main speaker: Lluís Corominas. ICRA, Spain
Contact: For inquiries, send us an email at frontierschool@icra.cat