Skip to main content

Cofunded by the European Union

The Water4All Partnership released its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) in September 2022. The document lays out water topics for which research and innovation activities are recommended to address the grand challenge of securing water for all. The SRIA is structured around seven main themes, two of which are cross-cutting. As shown in the figure below, the agenda also lists key drivers and enablers influencing the strategic orientations of the Partnership.

Although water topics are presented within a given theme, partners of Water4All are perfectly aware of the need to break scientific silos; as such, the SRIA identifies links between topics.

The publication of the SRIA is a key milestone for the Water4All Partnership as it is meant to guide all other activities, by establishing the scientific direction of the programme and the priorities to be addressed in the different pillars. The SRIA also offers a preliminary analysis of thematic synergies with other European initiatives – in particular with other Horizon Europe Partnerships and Missions, the potential contribution of Water4All to international frameworks (Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations) and European policies (e.g. Green Deal, Water Framework Directive), as well as a list of indicators for monitoring the progress of Water4All in all its different dimensions.

The development of the SRIA started almost three years ago and it is the result of an analysis of strategic documents on water research and innovation (e.g. strategic agendas of the Water JPI, PRIMA programme, EurAqua network, Water Europe) and a participatory process in which different types of stakeholders, and society in general, have been invited to contribute. The recommendations made by experts in water research, and water management and planning during targeted interviews have been included in the document.

Partners are very attentive to future developments in water policy and emerging water challenges. An updated version of the SRIA is 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.

Link to the SRIA in pdf

Other news

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.