Symbioter

The Baltic Sea Region is under growing pressure from water scarcity, nutrient losses, and climate change. At the same time, a wealth of knowledge and tested solutions from previous EU-funded water projects remains scattered and underused at the local level. Symbioter brings together key actors from across the region to change that – unlocking the potential of water and nutrient reuse and accelerating the shift towards a circular, climate-resilient water economy.

Turning Fragmented Knowledge into Local Action

Water and nutrient challenges cannot be solved by the water sector alone. Effective solutions call for cross-sector cooperation between municipalities, utilities, businesses, and local interest groups. Symbioter consolidates the results of nine EU-funded projects and applies them in practice, helping local actors form water symbioses – practical, small-scale collaborations that recycle, recover, and reuse water and nutrients using nature-based solutions and proven treatment technologies.

The 3R Approach

Symbioter organises its work around three pillars, each drawing on tested tools and know-how from earlier projects:

• REUSE – rainwater and stormwater management, including climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, and flood risk tools.
• RECYCLE – wastewater treatment and safe reuse, from regulation and risk management to small-scale and modular systems.
• RECOVER – nutrient recovery and flow monitoring, turning waste streams into resources for agriculture and industry.

Building on nine EU Projects

 Symbioter draws on the results of nine EU-funded projects covering water reuse, stormwater management, nutrient recovery, and nature-based solutions. Rather than starting from scratch, it consolidates their tools, guidance, and lessons learned into structured, practice-ready knowledge packages – making proven solutions easier to find, understand, and apply locally.

Capacity Building, Mentoring, and Exchange

Through training, mentoring, and transnational exchange, Symbioter equips stakeholders to apply tested solutions in daily practice. Trained experts pass on their knowledge through local workshops, study visits, and hands-on events, while an international mentoring programme pairs experienced organisations with municipalities and utilities developing their own local symbiosis plans – building a growing network able to design and implement practical water and nutrient symbioses.

Symbioter is targeted to:

• Local public authorities – municipalities and departments that initiate and coordinate local water and nutrient cooperation.
• Infrastructure and service providers – wastewater treatment plants, stormwater managers, and utilities that put circular solutions into practice.
• Interest groups – NGOs, businesses, and academia who bring specialised knowledge and help connect stakeholders.

Supporting Regional Policy Goals

Symbioter's work is closely aligned with regional policy priorities, including the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (notably Policy Area Nutri), HELCOM's Baltic Sea Action Plan for reducing eutrophication, and the EU Water Resilience Strategy. By working with international and intergovernmental partners, Symbioter ensures its results reach and inform the wider policy community, helping to reduce eutrophication and strengthen water resilience across the Baltic Sea Region.