Wageningen UR stood at the cradle of Dutch Delta Design 2012, an initiative to put Dutch water expertise on the map, nationally and internationally. Since its establishment, dozens of parties from the water sector have joined in this ambitious effort. The Dutch Delta Design 2012 project office is housed within the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP).
The Water Expertise Centre-East Netherlands is one of the eight regional centres of Dutch Delta Design 2012. Wim Cofino serves in the name of Wageningen UR as the initiator and driver of this regional centre. Represented within the Water Expertise Centre-East Netherlands, in addition to Wageningen UR, are the universities of Nijmegen and Twente, seven water boards, Arcadis, Eijkelkamp, Royal Haskoning, the Netherlands Water Museum and Lankheet Water Centre.
By 2012 the Water Expertise Centre-East Netherlands aims to have given tangible form to an umbrella project in the eastern region of the country and in adjoining areas across the border in Germany. To this end, the three knowledge institutes are working in close cooperation with the engineering bureaus, water boards and various other community organizations to give form to the themes of water, energy and food in a sustainable and innovative way. Students from various universities and colleges are participating in the project to gain knowledge and experience with cross-border and interdisciplinary research.
Wageningen UR contributes personnel for the project organization, provides content-related expertise and makes research facilities available.