Cofunded by the European Union

Water-related challenges are becoming increasingly complex, requiring not only technical solutions but also strong collaboration among communities, researchers, innovators, and policy makers.

To address this need, Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) have emerged as open, real-life spaces where water solutions are co-created and tested with local actors. These labs foster innovation tailored to regional needs while promoting sustainable and inclusive water management. 

Setting up and maintaining a WOLL is not always straightforward. It involves navigating stakeholder engagement, governance models, funding strategies, and long-term planning—areas where practical support is often limited. To bridge this gap, the Water4All Partnership has developed a set of tools to help organisations and territories launch, manage, and strengthen their WOLLs effectively. 

As part of Water4All’s commitment to advancing WOLLs, three key deliverables have recently been published. Together, they mark a significant step forward in providing practical tools, guidance, and strategic direction for WOLLs. These resources are crucial to strengthening the WOLL community and provide vital support to regions, cities, and stakeholders working towards a water-smart society.

The new deliverables include: 

  • Start-up Guide: A practical handbook for launching a WOLL, featuring tools to identify local challenges, involve stakeholders, and build long-term strategies. [Startup guide for New WOLLs] Link here 
  • Maintenance Guidelines: Recommendations on how to keep WOLLs active and impactful over time, with tips on governance, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. [Guidelines for maintenance of WOLLs] Link here
  • Migration Roadmap: A step-by-step guide for WOLLs ready to scale up and move from piloting to real-world demonstration of innovations. [Migration roadmap for demonstration of innovation] Link here

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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.