The European Regional Workshop of the IAP Water Programme focused on coupling surface and groundwater research for long-term sustainable water management. It tried to bridge scientists and managers to identify problems regarding the access to safe water in different European countries and to propose solutions.

The workshop provided a forum for exchanging information and stimulate discussions focusing on the coupling of engineering with ecological solutions, integrating quantity and quality of water.

The goal of the workshop was also to organize a working group that would work on follow up actions (e.g. application in the 7 Framework Programme of the European Commission). The general outline of the programme focused on networking of researchers and managers and capacity building.