Cofunded by the European Union

Water4All organises consultative workshops aimed at facilitating dialogue, feedback, and collaboration with stakeholders.

These workshops serve as collaborative platforms where experts from various fields – ranging from academia, industry, government, and civil society – gather to discuss key challenges and opportunities in water management. A primary focus of consultative workshops is the updating of the Water4All’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which outlines priorities for water and research.

Two Water4All consultative workshops have been organised so far.

- Helsinki, Finland - February 2023

  • The first one was held in Helsinki (Finland) in February 2023. Participants mainly included research experts in the field of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Discussions from this first workshop highlighted the importance of a holistic approach as well as the need for innovative thinking and enhanced communication on existing challenges in the protection of aquatic ecosystems.

- Lisbon, Portugal - June 2024

  • The second consultative workshop took place in Lisbon (Portugal) in June 2024. It brought together around 30 experts to explore the role of digital tools in smart water management. The discussions delved into the advantages of technologies like smart meters, IoT (Internet of Things), remote sensing, and cloud computing, which are transforming the water sector by improving data collection and decision-making. However, the workshop also addressed key challenges such as data accuracy, interoperability, cybersecurity risks, and equitable access to these technologies.

By gathering insights from stakeholders, Water4All can incorporate diverse perspectives into its SRIA, ensuring that the strategies adopted address both the current needs and future challenges of water management. This consultative approach helps foster inclusivity and transparency in strategic planning, collaboration, and well-rounded innovative solutions as it incorporates the concerns, ideas, and aspirations of those who will be affected by Water4All’s outcomes. It will also help mitigate risks by addressing concerns and reducing potential resistance to the adoption of innovations, whether technological or non-technological. Hence, consultative workshops are crucial in the preparation of the next phases of Water4All, including joint calls for proposals aimed at securing water for all in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges.

Attachement

The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.