Strengthening water resilience: OCTs meet in Barbados

From February 9 to 13, 2026, 19 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) from the European Union and the UK will meet in Barbados as part of an international workshop organized by the Green Overseas (GO) program.
This workshop will combine targeted training sessions, led by a provider recruited by the Green Overseas program, with a peer exchange space dedicated to common challenges and concrete solutions in water management, ranging from drinking water supply to ecosystem protection and climate change adaptation.

The workshop organized in Barbados by the GO program aims to respond to these challenges by focusing on practical approaches adapted to territorial realities, through the sharing of operational experiences, existing initiatives and solutions transferable from one territory to another.

A format focused on exchange and action

Designed to encourage concrete, operational exchanges, the workshop will be structured around territorial presentations, thematic round tables and group exercises, enabling participants to compare their practices and discuss their realities in the field.

It will mainly bring together representatives of OCT governments and public administrations, as well as water utility managers, engineers, public operators, environmental and climate experts, and a limited number of representatives of international organizations and local elected representatives. All participants are directly involved in the operational management, planning or governance of water resources within their territories.

Barbados as an example territory

Barbados was chosen as a host territory because of challenges widely shared by many OCTs: limited water resources, heavy reliance on groundwater, high tourism pressure, population growth and visible impacts of climate change.

In response, Barbados has implemented several initiatives aimed at better managing and developing its water resources. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discover different local initiatives through site visits, including desalination plants, wastewater treatment plants, flood protection infrastructure and wetlands.

A workshop as part of the Green Overseas dynamic

As part of the ongoing activities of the Green Overseas program, this workshop follows six workshops dedicated to the energy transition and three workshops dedicated to resilience in the face of climate change.

Focusing on the resilient management of water resources, it aims to strengthen exchanges between territories, deepen the sharing of operational experiences and consolidate synergies within the Climate Resilience community of the GO program.

The lessons learned from the discussions and field visits will contribute to the development of a good practice catalogue, produced by Ramboll as part of the Green Overseas program, with the aim of capitalizing on and disseminating the solutions implemented by the OCTs.

👉 Follow the Green Overseas program on our social networks to discover highlights, feedback and images from the workshop throughout the week.