25. May 2026 - 27. May 2026
International conference “Futureproof Land Improvement”
The international conference “Futureproof Land Improvement” will bring together experts, practitioners, researchers and policymakers in the fields of land improvement, drainage and irrigation. The event will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, on 25–27 May 2026. The main conference day will be held on Tuesday, 26 May, followed by a technical study visit on Wednesday, 27 May.
Organised by the ICID National Committee of Estonia (ESTICID).
The main conference day will be based on presentations by experts, practitioners and researchers. The aim is to open a broad discussion on land drainage and irrigation in the context of climate change, technological development and evolving societal needs. We will explore how new technologies can support climate adaptation, enable the use of digital and smart solutions and address economic, policy, scientific and social challenges.
The expected audience includes experts, policymakers, stakeholders and researchers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Germany and other countries.
Programme:
- 25 May 2026 Arrival of participants and welcoming dinner from 18:00 to 21:00 at the Maikrahv restaurant in Tallinn
- 26 May 2026 Main conference day at the Meriton Hotel in Tallinn
- 27 May 2026 Study visit to Jõelähtme Municipality. Departure from Tallinn (Meriton Hotel) is at 9:00 and the trip will last approximately until 14:00.
Conference programme
09:00–10:00 Registration and welcome coffee
Opening Session
10:00–10:40 Opening of the Conference
Opening remarks by:
Marco Arcieri (ICID – International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage)
Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board
Session I – Strategies and Future Directions
10:40–11:15
Minna Mäkelä (Finnish Field Drainage Association)
A new guide on controlled drainage: increasing knowledge, sharing experiences and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable water management
11:15–11:45
Vilda Grybauskiene (Lietuvos Inžinerijos Kolegija, Lithuania)
Rethinking land drainage in Lithuania: balancing productivity, environmental goals and water management
☕ Coffee Break
11:45–12:05 Coffee break
Session II – Planning and Nature-Based Solutions
12:05–12:40
Arturs Veinbergs (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies)
Surface runoff pathways and catchment delineation: practical applications in drainage planning
12:40–13:15
Sara Vaskio (Municipality of Raseborg, Finand)
Two-stage channels for agricultural water management: experiences and results from catchment-scale implementation of nature-based solutions in the river Raseborg
🍽 Lunch
13:15–14:15 Lunch
Session III – Impacts on Water and Environment
14:15–14:50
Ainis Lagzdins (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies)
Impact of floods and drought on water quantity and quality in agricultural drainage systems
14:50–15:25
Jürgen Sarjas (University of Tartu)
Impact of reconstruction of drained peatland forest systems on water quality and the effectiveness of water protection measures
Session IV – Cooperation and Future Activities
15:25–15:40
Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board
Co-creation of ecologically supportive land drainage in the LIFE SIP WetEST project
Closing Remarks
15:40–16:00 Closing discussion and overview of evening programme and next-day activities, networking coffee and informal discussions
Evening Programme
16:30–18:30 – Guided tour in Tallinn Old Town
19:00–22:00 – Dinner at Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn
Accommodation, fee and other information:
- This will be an in-person event. The official conference languages are English and Estonian. Simultaneous interpretation between English and Estonian will be provided during the main conference day.
- The conference will take place in Tallinn, Estonia at Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn.
- Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn offers special price for bookings made until 18 May. For reservations, please contact the hotel at [email protected] and mention the code word “ESTICID” in your email.
- Participation fee: There is a participation fee 75 EUR (Presenters do not need to pay the participation fee). Payment details:
- Payee: Ministry of Finance
- Amount: 75 EUR
- Required reference: “2800083238”
- Additional info (mandatory): Maa- ja Ruumiamet
Please make sure BOTH the reference number and the name “Maa- ja Ruumiamet” are included in the payment details.
- SEB Pank EE891010220034796011 (BIC/SWIFT: EEUHEE2X)
- Swedbank EE932200221023778606 (BIC/SWIFT: HABAEE2X)
- LHV Pank EE777700771003813400 (BIC/SWIFT: LHVBEE22)
- Luminor Bank EE701700017001577198 (BIC/SWIFT: RIKOEE22)
- Coop Pank EE234204278601694423 (BIC/SWIFT: EKRDEE22)
Registration is closed.
27 May - Study visit programme
08:45 Gathering at Meriton Hotel, bus arrival
09:00 Departure from Meriton Hotel
09:45 Kostivere drainage ditch, a farmer’s perspective: Andres Oopkaup
10:30 The Jägala River disappears underground in Kostivere
10:50 Rebala karst area
11:20 Linnamäe weir
12:10 Jägala waterfall
12:45 Arrival at Jõelähtme Community Centre
13:00–14:00 Lunch and closing of the day
Study visit map
We look forward to welcoming you to Tallinn for the Futureproof Land Improvement conference!
For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Organised by the ICID National Committee of Estonia (ESTICID).
The main conference day will be based on presentations by experts, practitioners and researchers. The aim is to open a broad discussion on land drainage and irrigation in the context of climate change, technological development and evolving societal needs. We will explore how new technologies can support climate adaptation, enable the use of digital and smart solutions and address economic, policy, scientific and social challenges.
The expected audience includes experts, policymakers, stakeholders and researchers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Germany and other countries.
Programme:
- 25 May 2026 Arrival of participants and welcoming dinner from 18:00 to 21:00 at the Maikrahv restaurant in Tallinn
- 26 May 2026 Main conference day at the Meriton Hotel in Tallinn
- 27 May 2026 Study visit to Jõelähtme Municipality. Departure from Tallinn (Meriton Hotel) is at 9:00 and the trip will last approximately until 14:00.
Conference programme
09:00–10:00 Registration and welcome coffee
Opening Session
10:00–10:40 Opening of the Conference
Opening remarks by:
Marco Arcieri (ICID – International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage)
Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board
Session I – Strategies and Future Directions
10:40–11:15
Minna Mäkelä (Finnish Field Drainage Association)
A new guide on controlled drainage: increasing knowledge, sharing experiences and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable water management
11:15–11:45
Vilda Grybauskiene (Lietuvos Inžinerijos Kolegija, Lithuania)
Rethinking land drainage in Lithuania: balancing productivity, environmental goals and water management
☕ Coffee Break
11:45–12:05 Coffee break
Session II – Planning and Nature-Based Solutions
12:05–12:40
Arturs Veinbergs (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies)
Surface runoff pathways and catchment delineation: practical applications in drainage planning
12:40–13:15
Sara Vaskio (Municipality of Raseborg, Finand)
Two-stage channels for agricultural water management: experiences and results from catchment-scale implementation of nature-based solutions in the river Raseborg
🍽 Lunch
13:15–14:15 Lunch
Session III – Impacts on Water and Environment
14:15–14:50
Ainis Lagzdins (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies)
Impact of floods and drought on water quantity and quality in agricultural drainage systems
14:50–15:25
Jürgen Sarjas (University of Tartu)
Impact of reconstruction of drained peatland forest systems on water quality and the effectiveness of water protection measures
Session IV – Cooperation and Future Activities
15:25–15:40
Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board
Co-creation of ecologically supportive land drainage in the LIFE SIP WetEST project
Closing Remarks
15:40–16:00 Closing discussion and overview of evening programme and next-day activities, networking coffee and informal discussions
Evening Programme
16:30–18:30 – Guided tour in Tallinn Old Town
19:00–22:00 – Dinner at Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn
Accommodation, fee and other information:
- This will be an in-person event. The official conference languages are English and Estonian. Simultaneous interpretation between English and Estonian will be provided during the main conference day.
- The conference will take place in Tallinn, Estonia at Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn.
- Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn offers special price for bookings made until 18 May. For reservations, please contact the hotel at [email protected] and mention the code word “ESTICID” in your email.
- Participation fee: There is a participation fee 75 EUR (Presenters do not need to pay the participation fee). Payment details:
- Payee: Ministry of Finance
- Amount: 75 EUR
- Required reference: “2800083238”
- Additional info (mandatory): Maa- ja Ruumiamet
Please make sure BOTH the reference number and the name “Maa- ja Ruumiamet” are included in the payment details.
- SEB Pank EE891010220034796011 (BIC/SWIFT: EEUHEE2X)
- Swedbank EE932200221023778606 (BIC/SWIFT: HABAEE2X)
- LHV Pank EE777700771003813400 (BIC/SWIFT: LHVBEE22)
- Luminor Bank EE701700017001577198 (BIC/SWIFT: RIKOEE22)
- Coop Pank EE234204278601694423 (BIC/SWIFT: EKRDEE22)
Registration is closed.
27 May - Study visit programme
08:45 Gathering at Meriton Hotel, bus arrival
09:00 Departure from Meriton Hotel
09:45 Kostivere drainage ditch, a farmer’s perspective: Andres Oopkaup
10:30 The Jägala River disappears underground in Kostivere
10:50 Rebala karst area
11:20 Linnamäe weir
12:10 Jägala waterfall
12:45 Arrival at Jõelähtme Community Centre
13:00–14:00 Lunch and closing of the day
Study visit map
We look forward to welcoming you to Tallinn for the Futureproof Land Improvement conference!
For any questions, please contact [email protected].
