The European Researchers’ Night is a mega event that takes place every year simultaneously in several hundred cities all over Europe and aims to:
•    bring research and researchers closer to the public
•    promote excellent research projects across Europe and beyond
•    increase the interest of young people in science and research careers
•    showcase the impact of researchers’ work on people’s daily lives

The key objective of the event is to increase general public awareness of the diversity of scientific research but also promote and facilitate greater public participation in the entire scientific process including participation in scientific research as well as dissemination activities.

MEDWAYCAP project was one of the project presented at the Researchers’ Night event organized in Thessaloniki on 30 September 2022 by the Centre of Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH). The event was a great opportunity to present the sustainable strategies and innovative technologies addressing non-conventional water reuse and management in the Mediterranean region, promoted by MEDWAYCAP project, to the Greek government, local authorities and the general public.

The event was the occasion to present APOC, the eco-innovative wastewater treatment system proposed by the AQUACYCLE project which consists of three parts, namely the “Anaerobic digestion”, the “Photocatalytic Oxidation” and the “Constructed wetland”. This system uses special microorganisms that “eat” the organic matter of the sewage, leading simultaneously to the production of an organic fertiliser and biogas as energy source. Next, the liquid product is treated by a system that is designed to mimic processes found in natural wetland ecosystems (called constructed wetland) allowing the growth of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms, break down pollutants and purify water without the use of chemicals and energy. Finally, with the aid of sun and the addition of environmentally friendly chemicals, the municipal wastewater is purified at a level that satisfies the most stringent standards for reuse in agriculture (irrigation water), or for domestic, industrial or other applications. 

All visitors, especially the youngest, responded enthusiastically to the multitude of entertaining educational activities as well as scientific experiments and phenomenon observation organized, expressing their enthusiasm on the APOC technology and planning of a future installation of the system in Greece. This was especially welcomed by the Greek Deputy Minister of Development and Investment who commented:

The event was surrounded at the same time by a multitude of artistic and musical events that beautified the evening.