From 17 to 19 February 2026, the SEED-FD project gathered in Lecco, Italy, for its second General Assembly and an interactive workshop at Politecnico di Milano. Over three days, partners reviewed progress, refined communication and planned next steps to maximise long-term impact in global flood and drought forecasting.
The General Assembly brought together consortium members and the Advisory Board to review recent results and discuss progress across work areas. Partners presented their advancements and exchanged feedback to further enhance the project’s scientific and operational approach.
The second day focused on a dedicated workshop led by Design & Data designed to strengthen communication and long-term impact of SEED-FD’s research. Participants assessed and selected past flood and drought events where improved forecasts could make a meaningful difference for decision-making. Discussions also addressed how to communicate these improvements clearly to users and other stakeholders, and how SEED-FD’s results could evolve into operational services beyond the CEMS forecasting system.
On the final day, attention turned to implementation and future impact. The consortium worked on shaping collaborative communication and validation activities, and defining concrete actions to ensure lasting uptake beyond the project lifetime.
Bringing together experts from different countries – both in person and online – proved highly productive. The meeting strengthened collaboration and laid a solid foundation for SEED-FD’s final project year, supporting its ambition to enhance global resilience to floods and droughts.