Co-Creation Workshops
From Ideas to Impact
At the heart of the WAITRO Summit 2026 are the Co-Creation Workshops. These dynamic, hands-on sessions are designed to turn ideas into concrete action by bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds and different innovation ecosystems to co-develop practical solutions, strategic partnerships, and implementation-ready initiatives. The workshops are organized around the Summit’s three transformation areas, which serve as the structural tracks for collaboration and project development, all supporting SDG 13 – Climate Action:
- Climate Resilience & Water–Food–Energy Nexus
- Decarbonizing Industry & Circular Economy
- Climate-Responsive Societies & Just Transitions
This structure creates a focused yet collaborative environment where expertise from different regions and sectors can be translated into measurable impact.
Methodology & Structure
Participants will join one of the three thematic tracks while ensuring cross-sector, interdisciplinary, and international diversity within each group. Each workshop follows a four-stage process:
Stage 1
Framing & Prioritization
Participants define challenge statements and potential ideas for solutions. Through expert facilitation, opportunities are prioritized based on relevance, feasibility, and potential impact.
Stage 2
Development & Integration
Working in smaller teams, participants design project concepts, identify strategic partners, and build the implementation logic of proposed initiatives.
Stage 3
Consolidation & Readiness
Ideas are refined into implementation-ready formats, including objectives, timelines, responsibilities, funding pathways, and resource needs.
Stage 4
Harvesting & Declaration Drafting
Outputs from all groups are consolidated into a shared WAITRO Implementation Roadmap and a portfolio of pilot initiatives contributing to the road toward COP31.
Thematic Focus
As our global community moves from ambition to action, the WAITRO Summit 2026 focuses on one central challenge: turning research and innovation into implementation at scale. In the lead-up to COP31, the Summit brings together Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) and partners to co-create practical, investment-ready solutions for climate action. Anchored in SDG 13 (Climate Action), the Summit addresses three critical transformation areas: climate resilience and the water–food–energy nexus, industrial decarbonization and circular economy, and inclusive, people-centered climate solutions. Through a structured co-creation process, participants will develop concrete project pipelines, strategic partnerships, and a shared Implementation Declaration to accelerate impact beyond the Summit. The WAITRO Summit 2026 focus on developing climate solutions across three critical transformation areas:
Climate Resilience & Water–Food–Energy Nexus
Decarbonizing Industry & Circular Economy
Climate-Responsive Societies & Just Transition
Focusing on integrated solutions for climate adaptation and resilience, this track addresses the interdependencies between water security, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy systems. It aims to generate scalable, nature-positive, and resource-efficient pilot projects that strengthen resilience to climate impacts.
Participants will co-develop implementation-ready solutions that move beyond siloed approaches and deliver measurable impact across regions.
Examples of focus areas:
- Climate-resilient irrigation and water management systems
- Nature-based solutions for watershed restoration and flood control
- Integrated renewable energy solutions for agriculture and rural communities
- Digital tools for water–energy–food system optimization
This track focuses on climate mitigation through sustainable industrial transformation, including low-carbon technologies, circular production systems, and innovation ecosystems. It aims to develop implementation-ready solutions that reduce emissions while enhancing industrial competitiveness and resource efficiency. Participants will work on scalable approaches that can be adopted by industry and supported through international collaboration and investment.
Examples of focus areas:
- Industrial decarbonization technologies
- Circular manufacturing systems and waste-to-value solutions
- Sustainable materials and eco-design for product lifecycles
Focusing on the implementation of inclusive climate solutions, this track explores how RTOs can support just transitions through applied research, innovation deployment, and capacity development. It aims to ensure that climate action is equitable, locally grounded, and investment-ready. Participants will develop scalable pilot projects, training models, and policy-supported implementation frameworks that bridge technology and societal needs.
Examples of focus areas:
- Climate and health solutions (e.g. heat resilience, air quality, disease prevention)
- Resilient and inclusive urban systems
- Workforce transformation and green skills development
- Gender-responsive and community-driven innovation models
Expected Outcomes
The Co-Creation Workshops are designed to deliver tangible results, including:
- A portfolio of scalable, high-impact climate initiatives
- New international partnerships and collaboration pipelines
- Clear next-step roadmaps for implementation beyond the Summit
- Strategic contributions to global climate action discussions leading to COP31
Benefits of Joining
Participants in the Co-Creation Workshops will benefit from:
- Direct access to international partners and experts
- Opportunities to shape real projects instead of only discussing ideas
- Visibility for your expertise, technologies, and institutional strengths
- New pathways for funding, pilots, and strategic collaboration
- Practical tools and roadmaps to advance initiatives after the Summit
- Contribution to global climate action priorities leading to COP31
Who Should Join?
The workshops are designed for professionals ready to collaborate and implement solutions, including:
- Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs)
- Universities and research institutes
- Industry innovators
- Government agencies and public institutions
- Investors, donors, and development organizations
- NGOs, international organizations, and ecosystem builders
- Entrepreneurs and solution providers in climate-related sectors
Registration
Registration is open. Interested participants are encouraged to submit their interest in joining one of the three thematic tracks during registration to support effective planning, balanced group composition, and a high-quality workshop experience.