Italian water industry event Accadueo to focus on innovation and PNRR

Italy’s leading water industry event, Accadueo, will return to BolognaFiere from 7–9 October 2025. The 18th edition of the international conference and exhibition will once again gather stakeholders from across Italy, Europe and beyond to address urgent water challenges. This year, there is particular focus on innovation, sustainability, and Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

The Accadueo event is organised by BolognaFiere Water&Energy (BFWE), a joint venture between BolognaFiere and Mirumir, established in 2021 to promote knowledge and dialogue around the economic and social value of water and emerging technologies. Accadueo has served as a national and international reference point for over 30 years. It now alternates between Bologna and Bari.

Strengthen regional links

Bari hosted Accadueo for the first time in 2024 with the idea of building new alliances in southern Italy, particularly in Puglia, and strengthening links with Mediterranean and African water markets. That edition hosted 149 exhibitors and welcomed 25 international buyers. The decision to alternate between Bologna and Bari reflects the organisers’ intent to balance Italy’s regional strengths. Bologna offers a hub for technology and research, whilst Bari serves as a bridge to southern and international markets.

Accadueo Bologna

This year’s edition in Bologna is expected to attract around 5,000 professional visitors and between 160 and 180 exhibiting companies. Over 130 firms have already confirmed. However, participation numbers have not yet returned to the heights of 2023, when over 400 companies and 8,000 visitors attended in Bologna.

Italian water firms concentrate on the internal market

Asked whether geopolitical instability is affecting participation, organisers confirmed that such tensions may influence attendance from certain countries. However, there is clear evidence that Italian firms are increasingly focused on the domestic market, where major investment programmes such as the PNRR are contributing to transformation in the water sector. “The opportunity for dialogue that Accadueo offers all actors in the supply chain will be crucial in shaping clearer and more efficient future tenders,” said Paolo Angelini, CEO of BFWE.

A platform for the PNRR’s water projects

A key area of Accadueo 2025 will be consideration of the implementation and oversight of PNRR-funded water infrastructure projects. A recent survey by the Centro Studi Enti Locali, which will present new findings at the event, revealed that 87% of stakeholders involved in PNRR-funded water projects report excessive complexity in monitoring and reporting procedures.

“According to the analysis by Centro Studi Enti Locali, more than six out of ten projects would have been completed within the next three years, and 57% had already been conceived before the funds were available”, said Angelini. Without such funding, only 15% of the sample would have been able to implement the projects independently. Nicola Tonveronachi, CEO of Centro Studi Enti Locali, added that their research efforts aim to identify the most efficient management models and how struggling entities are adapting. “For instance, in spring 2023, operational manuals for data entry were still missing from several ministries. There were frequent problems with authenticating responsible officials, and the system was often updated or modified to correct emerging errors. Another major issue, especially for smaller entities, was delayed payments to project implementers, even for initial advances. This issue has only been partially resolved by recent legislative interventions,” he continued.

Programme Highlights

The programme is now live on the official website and will be expanded in the coming weeks as further sessions and speakers are confirmed. Among the key topics already announced are technologies for water and wastewater treatment, digitalisation and smart water management, desalination and water reuse, sustainable water use in municipal and industrial contexts, groundwater governance and policy reform and AI, IoT and Big Data in water systems. Workshops and panel discussions will also explore EU regulatory frameworks, available funding instruments, and how digital and sustainable solutions can shape the future of the water cycle. While keynote speakers have yet to be officially confirmed, the event promises strong participation from both Italian and international experts, policymakers, and innovators.