Welcome to the third edition of NENUPHAR news, our bi-annual newsletter bringing you the latest updates on our journey toward sustainable nutrient management across Europe!
In the first half of 2025, we’ve been busy transforming challenges into opportunities, collaborating with communities, researchers, and policymakers to transform waste into valuable resources. From innovative approaches to sewage sludge in the Lielupe River Basin to efforts in nutrient recovery in the Ebro River Basin, and advancements in dairy wastewater treatment in the Danube, our collective efforts are paving the way for a greener, more circular agricultural future.
Dive into this edition to learn more about our progress, partnerships, and the exciting developments shaping the NENUPHAR project. Enjoy đ
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NENUPHAR Community of Members (CoM) activities kick off!
From Sludge to Soil: Turning Waste into Growth in the Lielupe Basin
In January 2025, the NENUPHAR project held its first Community of Members (CoM) workshop in Ceraukste, Latvia, bringing together nearly 50 stakeholders from academia, policy, agriculture, and wastewater management. The focus was on repurposing sewage sludge as a sustainable agricultural resource in the Lielupe River Basin. Vytautas Magnus University shared research on sludge composting and its effects on soil health, while a joint study of 48 Lithuanian scientists explored its practical benefits and challenges.
The event concluded with a collaborative workshop, âLetâs Turn Waste Challenges into Rich Soil,â where participants proposed solutions to key barriers like governance, infrastructure, and public acceptance. It marked a major step in advancing circular nutrient management, reinforcing NENUPHARâs mission of sustainable agriculture across Europe. Read the full article here.
Turning the Tide: Collaborative Solutions for Cleaner Waters in the Ebro Basin
On 4 February 2025, the NENUPHAR project held a key Community of Members (CoM) meeting at CAYC in BinĂ©far, AragĂłn, bringing together stakeholders from agriculture, policy, and research to address nutrient pollution in the Ebro River Basin. The event highlighted the NITRACHE strategy for reducing nitrate levels and introduced NENUPHARâs governance model to turn pollution challenges into circular opportunities. Presentations by CIRCE, CAYC, and UVIC-UCC helped set the stage for an upcoming Interregional Dialogue Table.
Working groups explored governance barriers and outlined strategic actions, calling for a coordinated approach to nutrient recovery. The day ended with a visit to the La Melusa wetland in Huesca, showcasing on-the-ground solutions to diffuse pollution. This marks a major step forward for sustainable nutrient management in the region. Read the full article here.
Nurturing Nature: Healing the Danube with Smarter Dairy Waste Solutions
On 16 January 2025, the NENUPHAR project held a workshop in GyĆr, Hungary, bringing together over 30 experts from academia, industry, and policy to address nutrient-rich dairy wastewater in the Danube River Basin. The spotlight was on an advanced treatment technology from SzĂ©chenyi IstvĂĄn University and TEBIKE Kft., using ozonation and ultrafiltration to recover over 90% of nitrogen and phosphorus from dairy by-productsâreducing pollution while creating valuable fertiliser.
Participants visited TEBIKE Ltd.âs demo farm and joined a workshop at SZE Science Park to discuss policy, finance, and scaling strategies. The event emphasized collaborative governance and will help shape NENUPHARâs nutrient recycling models across Europe. Read the full article here.
FEBRUARY
Turning dairy wastewater into fertiliser in Slovakia
NENUPHAR partners project hosted a workshop at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, focused on turning dairy wastewater into organic fertilisers. Experts tackled governance hurdles, cross-sector collaboration, and scaling up nutrient recycling. Key moments included stakeholder input and a tour of algae-based treatment tech at the SUA Environmental Centre. These innovations are helping drive more circular, sustainable farming across Europe.
NENUPHAR in Brussels for sister project send-off
NENUPHAR took part in the final event of sister project FER-PLAY EU in Brussels, which showcased progress in circular fertiliser solutions. With EU policymakers, industry leaders, and project partners present, the event addressed nutrient pollution and the urgent need to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. Representing NENUPHAR, Professor Lubos Jurik highlighted the critical need to restore soil and water health across Europe.
Advancing Precision Agriculture with Tailor-Made Fertilisers
On 10 February, the ESNI Working Group on Agronomic Performance, supported by the Biorefine Cluster Europe, hosted a webinar led by Dr. Oscar Schoumans (Wageningen University & Research) to showcase the FERTIMANURE TMF Crop-Soil Nutrition Tool. Developed under the recently concluded FERTIMANURE project, this easy-to-use Excel-based tool helps farmers create custom fertiliser blends by combining manure, bio-based fertilisers (BBFs), and mineral inputs.
It integrates crop and soil nutrient needs (N, P, K, S, organic matter), soil fertility data, legal limits, and cost efficiency, while also estimating carbon storage and nitrogen emissions. By supporting data-driven, sustainable fertilisation strategies, this tool is set to become a valuable asset for precision farming. Public release is expected soon – stay tuned!
MARCH
Bridging Borders, Boosting Soils: Turning Dairy Waste into Nutrient Value in the Danube Basin
On March 6, the NENUPHAR project held its first joint workshop with Hungarian and Slovak partners, exploring dairy wastewater as a valuable nutrient source. Hosted near the Slovak-Hungarian border, the event brought together 30+ stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to discuss technology, governance, and cross-border collaboration. Organised by SUA, SZE, and AKI, the workshop addressed outdated legislation, fertiliser use, and water quality issues in the Danube River Basin – concluding with calls for policy alignment and stronger public engagement.
Collaborative Action on Agro-Livestock Waste at FIGAN 2025
On 28 March at FIGAN 2025 in Zaragoza, NENUPHAR joined forces with other EU projects to tackle agro-livestock waste. Experts from AragĂłn and Cataluña discussed sustainable solutions like nutrient optimisation, biofertilisers, biomethane, and policy reform. Paula de la Sen from CIRCE highlighted NENUPHARâs work in the Ebro Basin. Co-hosted with GREENHOOD, HarvRESt, and LIVECOVET, the session sparked collaboration and fresh thinking to turn farm waste into circular value for a greener future.
MAY
Annual Event: Uniting Expertise for a Circular Future
In May, NENUPHAR partner European Environmental Bureau hosted and the 2025 NENUPHAR & Sister Projects Networking Session, âUniting Expertise for a Circular Futureâ, co-organised together with partners CIRCE, BETA-UVIC and Zemnieku Saeima. The very enjoyable event brought together European experts to tackle nutrient pollution through circular, sustainable solutions.
The event featured an interactive workshop on how governance, participation, and cross-sector cooperation can turn innovation into real-world impact. Practical tools helped close gaps between policy and technical fields, reinforcing governance as key to scalable sustainability. With new partnerships and fresh momentum, the drive for change is accelerating. Stay tuned for the release of our governance toolkit for beginners and specialists in the autumn!
The Green Tide: Film Screening Shines a Spotlight on Nutrient Pollution and Big Agri
NENUPHAR sponsored a packed screening of Les Algues Vertes (The Green Tide) in Brussels to highlight nutrient pollution from intensive agriculture. Co-hosted with NENUPHAR partner the European Environmental Bureau alongside Surfrider Foundation Europe, the event included a panel with the filmâs director Pierre Jolivet, who exposed the environmental damage from nitrogen and phosphorus runoff and the harmful role of Big Agri lobbies. With over 80% of EU marine waters affected, the event stressed the urgent need for nutrient recovery, circular agriculture, and strong, science-based policy reform.
Collaboration in Action: Projects United for Clean, Circular Agriculture
Over the last year, the EEB has been proactively reaching out to learn from and collaborate with other projects with similar objectives to us: reducing nutrient pollution and creating sustainable, circular technical and governance that support both nature, farmers and our health. We are proud to be already have officially partnered up with eight other projects (Nutri-Know, Greenhood, Renu2Recycle, HarvRESt, FlashPhos, NutriBudget, FER-PLAY EU, EU-Farmbook, Robin, BioSoilutions, SYNECO Malta, Stratus and EcoDalli and P2GreeN), with more to come! Check out who these projects are, and what theyâre up to on our website.
IN OTHER NEWS
- DPP P-recycling German thesis prize DPP, the German Phosphorus Platform, is for the third year offering a 1000⏠prize for a German bachelor or master thesis on phosphorus recycling. Read more
- EU consultation on CAP âsimplificationâ (Common Agricultural Policy) The EU Commission is collecting feedback on proposed adjustments to the CAP legal framework, which many see as an opportunity to support the interests of big business at the expense of smaller farmers and more sustainable farming practices. Open until 1 August 2025. Read more
- Sign the joint stakeholder call for nutrients in the EU Circular Economy Act Joint call text now finalised. To sign contact ESPP, specifying your organisation name, signatory contact, logo. Read more
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The project is supported by the European Union under grant agreement NÂș 101082169. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe.
