Cofunded by the European Union

The joint transnational call will support research and innovation projects aimed at delivering knowledge, models, approaches, tools and methodologies to better understand hydrological processes at different scale, in order to respond more efficiently to emerging water issues related to extreme events. In line with the strategic objectives of Water4All, the results of the projects will contribute to the implementation of evidence-based, global, EU and national water management policies and strategies, within the frameworks of the Green Deal, the Water Framework Directive, Just Transition and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, governance playing a key role in water challenges, the 2022 Joint Transnational Call will seek for innovative governance models, and enhanced participation of stakeholders in water management issues related to extreme events.

  • Call Topics

    The call will focus on solutions for hydroclimatic extreme events, as described in the Water4All Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda Theme III “Water for the future: sustainable water management”, as well as address the cross-cutting Theme VII “Governance” and Theme V “Water Infrastructures”. Research & innovation proposals submitted under the Water4All 2022 Joint Transnational Call are required to address at least one of the following topics:

    Topic 1. Resilience, adaptation and mitigation to hydroclimatic extreme events

    • Addressing knowledge gaps in our understanding of the causes of water scarcity, drought events, seasonal variability in climate impacts to develop adaptation and mitigation measures, taking climate change into account.
    • Developing and demonstrating innovative (or improved) societally acceptable adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with hydro-climatic extreme events and their increase in length and duration. This includes floods and droughts, although is not limited to them, adopting a regional or a basin scale wide approach.
    • Improving resilience and adaptation capacity of water infrastructure (e.g., industrial water facilities, urban networks, wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater management systems and rural systems) to hydroclimatic extreme events.

    Topic 2. Tools for water management - in the context of hydroclimatic extreme events

    • Developing tools (e.g., multi-risk approach, decision support tools, monetary/non- monetary costs valuation) to support the design and implementation of strategies for adaptation and mitigation to hydro-climatic extreme events, especially floods (including “flash-floods”), heat waves and droughts in a catchment to sea perspective.
    • Generating new methodologies, tools and models for water resources assessment/modelling for water bodies in scarcely monitored /data scarce areas. A combination of physical and digital solutions is expected, and opportunities provided by citizen science should be seized.
    • “Smartening the water system” and use of innovative digitalization, including improved/new sensors, models, communications and computing technologies.

    Topic 3. Improved water governance in the context hydroclimatic extreme events and international contexts

    • Undertaking an analysis and developing robust Governance models for the management of water resources in the context of extreme events, is critical increasing the decision-making capacity of institutions and involvement of citizens. This should include ways of improving coordination between water managers to increase our capacity to reduce vulnerability to extreme events, as well as effectively respond to them.
    • Addressing and encouraging international cooperation in the field of water, including management of transboundary water resources and contribution to Water Diplomacy.

    Please note that it is not compulsory to address all subtopics within a topic in the proposals.

  • Call timeline

    COMMUNICATION TO THE APPLICANTS:

    On the 27th February, the Call Secretariat sent the Evaluation Notice on the results of the STEP 1 to all the Pre-proposals Coordinators by e-mail.

    The Coordinators who missed the reception of the email may contact the Call Secretariat.
    • Call Opening: 1st September 2022
    • Submission Deadline of Pre-proposal: 31st October 2022 at 15:00 (CET)
    • Selection of Pre-proposals: 15th February 2023
    • Opening Full Proposals submission: 27th February 2023 at 14.00 (CET)
    • Period of Appeal : 27th  February - 13rd March 2023
    • Submission Deadline of Full-proposals: 27th April 2023 at 15:00 (CET)
    • Selection of Proposals: Mid-September 2023
    • Projects kick off / Start: Autumn 2023
  • Support for Applicants

     Information Webinar for Applicants

    To download the presentation of the webinar: Click here
    Watch the recorded webinar below:

    Frequently asked questions (FAQ): Click here
    Submission Platform: Click here
    Partnering tool: Click here
    Guidelines for pre-proposal submission (update: 5th of September): Click here

    For more information, please contact:

    Water4All Call Secretariat
    Aldo Covello, Maria Bianco
    MUR - Ministry of Universities and Research
    DG for internationalization and communication
    E-mail: water4all2022_callsecretariat@mur.gov.it

Participating organisations

The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the planet - 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 objectives are to tackle water challenges as means to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

The Water4All Partnership's 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 that we all 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 how to preserve, restore, and manage 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 wide and cohesive group of 79 partners from 31 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.