Looking back: Advancing Data-Driven Asset Management for a More Resilient Europe
From 26 to 28 November, partners of the EU Interreg North-West Europe project BEPROACT gathered at the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) for a highly successful Mid-Term Meeting. Over three days, the event strengthened collaboration and accelerated progress toward improving Critical Infrastructure Resilience across North-West Europe through data-driven asset management.
Significant progress was shared within WP2 – Smart Assets, where 16 pilot cases across six asset categories—Highways & Pavements, Bridges, Intelligent Transport Systems, Water Systems, Water Treatment, and the Built Environment—are moving from Proof of Concept to Test and Validation. These pilots demonstrate how proactive, timely, and cost-effective maintenance can be achieved while increasing organisational maturity in Data-Driven Asset Management (DDAM).
In parallel, WP3 – Smart People focused on capacity building. Partners presented six asset-specific training schemes and the first draft of a generic DDAM Training Guidance, supporting upskilling for engineers, asset managers, and public authorities across Europe.
The Mid-Term Meeting opened with a combined Transnational Exchange bringing together three EU programmes and their respective projects:
Interreg North-West Europe – BEPROACT
Interreg North Sea – STORM_SAFE
Digital Europe Programme – ATHENA
This exchange highlighted strong shared ambitions across the projects, notably strengthening critical infrastructure resilience and investing in Europe’s human capital. Partners exchanged expertise and showcased pilot cases spanning data-driven asset management, climate-resilient water infrastructure, and cyber resilience.
The programme also featured technical and inspirational activities, including a visit to ASML, demonstrations by TU Eindhoven’s eight-time RoboCup champion football robot team, and technology showcases such as MESAS by BEPROACT partner BASt. These sessions illustrated how advanced research, digital innovation, and practical implementation reinforce one another.
On Friday, 28 November, the BEPROACT Steering Group, chaired by Ingeborg Absil (Rijkswaterstaat), convened for a strategic session. Together, partners defined three advocacy pillars to strengthen the role of DDAM and Critical Infrastructure Resilience within EU agenda priorities, legislation and national implementation, and market and industry engagement.
The consortium extends its thanks to Technische Universiteit Eindhoven for hosting the event and to Matthew Thompson, Interreg NWE Project Officer, for his valuable support and engagement throughout the meeting.
With strong momentum, BEPROACT continues to push the boundaries of data-driven asset management, reinforcing Europe’s ability to manage and protect its critical infrastructure in a smarter and more resilient way.
