Cofunded by the European Union

Strengthening Collaboration for a Sustainable Water Future 

Water4All Partnership took part in Pollutec Lyon 2025, the leading international trade show for environmental and energy solutions. The event brought together innovators, researchers, and policymakers committed to accelerating the ecological transition and fostering sustainable markets. 

This year’s edition featured 11 sectors of expertise, inspiring conferences, and numerous networking opportunities aimed at shaping a more sustainable future. Notably, an entire Hall dedicated to water highlighted the growing importance of water management and innovation in the transition toward greener societies. 

During Pollutec 2025, Water4All was featured in two major events: 

EVENT 1: Green Days Pollutec – Francophone Workshop on Water and Environmental Technologies 

This project development workshop gathered representatives from Wallonia, France, Québec, and Switzerland, all dedicated to advancing water and environmental innovation. The session united researchers, companies, and clusters around a common goal: transforming ecological challenges into concrete European projects. Key figures and highlights: 

  • 24 pitches from innovative organisations across the four regions 
  • Over 70 participants engaged in research and innovation exchanges 
  • 6 working groups led by European experts on Horizon Europe, Eureka, and Eurostars 
  • More than 20 partnership posters showcased on-site 

Discussions addressed a broad range of topics, including smart water network management, bioremediation of persistent pollutants, wastewater reuse, construction waste valorisation, industrial CO₂ capture, and eco-designed textiles. These exchanges underscored the creativity and complementarity of Francophone approaches to sustainability challenges. 

During the workshop, Simon Nardin (National Contact Point France EA-Ecoentreprise) presented the Water4All activities, with a focus on the 4th Joint Transnational Call: “Water & Health.” The presentation also highlighted Water4All’s broader role within the network of EU water initiatives contributing to Europe’s green transition. 

EVENT 2: Cluster H2O – Presentation of EU Water Networks 

In the afternoon, Cluster H2O hosted a session featuring four international networks driving innovation and collaboration in the water sector: 

  • Water Smart Territories (WST) 
  • International Cleantech Network (ICN) 
  • Water4All 
  • Water Europe 

These networks were presented at a shared booth, where Catherine Delahaye (Cluster H2O) delivered a short talk introducing Water4All, followed by a networking session, a perfect opportunity to foster new collaborations and exchange perspectives on European water innovation. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Pollutec Lyon proved to be a fertile ground for new initiatives and partnerships aligned with Water4All’s activities on Science-Policy-End Users Interface) and internationalisation. 

With an entire hall dedicated to water, the event offered valuable opportunities to strengthen alliances, engage with international delegations, and advance Water4All’s mission: ensuring water security for all through research and innovation. 

More on Pollutec fair

85% of visitors to the fair are coming from the private sector, and 15% of visitors are from the public sector.

Pollutec is the unmissable event for environmental innovation, with 45 years of expertise covering all environmental issues. 

It highlights all the equipment, technologies and services for the prevention and treatment of all types of pollution and acts to preserve the environment and implement sustainable development. Pollutec also offers a rich program of events, with over 20 speaking areas, debates and keynote speakers. It's also a real springboard for market innovations and international development. Link to the Environment & Energy Technologies Trade Show:  Pollutec website

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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.