Cofunded by the European Union

The Water4All Partnership released its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) on the 30th September 2022. The SRIA sets out water topics for which research and innovation activities are recommended in order to secure water for all. Topics are grouped into different key themes related to the value of water and circular economy, ecosystems and biodiversity, sustainable water management, water and health, infrastructures, governance and international cooperation.

The SRIA is considered the “backbone” of the Water4All Partnership as it defines the strategic orientations of the programme. As such, the SRIA will guide partners in the preparation of annual implementation plans and the analysis of thematic synergies with other European and international initiatives on water.

The release of the SRIA takes place after more than two years of work in which partners have analysed strategic agendas of other water initiatives (e.g. Water JPI and other JPIs, PRIMA, EurAqua network, Water Europe), and have followed a consultative approach for the collection of stakeholders’ views on water challenges and knowledge needs. A first consultation of the Water JPI’s Advisory Boards took place at the end of 2020. This was followed by a public consultation (December 2020 – January 2021), and a new consultation to the Advisory Boards and partners representatives in the Water4All Partnership in the first quarter of 2021. The public consultation provided more than 90 responses from 19 European countries, India, Norway, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. The process was completed by targeted interviews to representatives from international organisations, water authorities, technology platforms, non-governmental organisations, funding institutions and networks of research and innovation operators.

Partners are very attentive to future developments in water policy and emerging water challenges. An updated version of the SRIA is then due in 2025. As part of the update process, partners will organise two stakeholder consultative workshops (the first one in February 2023 and the second one in 2024), a foresight exercise, an analysis of strategic documents of partner initiatives, and a new public consultation.

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.