On 15–16 October 2026, DG HERA and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will organise a workshop in Ispra, Italy, dedicated to wastewater-based surveillance (WES) for preparedness and response to mass-gathering events.

The workshop will bring together experts and stakeholders to exchange experiences, discuss lessons learned, and explore how wastewater-based surveillance can contribute to preparedness and response during large-scale events.

A particular focus will be placed on experiences gained from the implementation of wastewater surveillance during recent mass-gathering events, including the Winter Olympics, where wastewater sample analysis was carried out under the GLOWACON Super-Sites initiative.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to share practical experience, identify challenges and good practices, and discuss how wastewater-based surveillance can be further integrated into preparedness and response strategies for future mass-gathering events.

The discussions will also contribute to identifying priorities and opportunities for strengthening cooperation between relevant stakeholders and further developing WES as a tool for public health preparedness.

Please note that this is a restricted workshop, intended for invited participants only.