Editorial
Dear readers,
One month after taking the helmet of the Water4All Partnership as CEO, I am pleased to write this editorial for the newsletter rendez-vous.
First of all, I would like to express my concern. In an international context marked by the rise of nationalism and isolationism, where scientific freedom and international cooperation are being tested, Water4All has a fundamental role to play. Water management knows no borders and requires a coordinated, inclusive, and transnational approach. By uniting our expertise, sharing knowledge, and strengthening synergies, we can propose innovative and sustainable solutions tailored to global challenges. Science must not be hindered by fragmented approaches; on the contrary, it should serve as a vector for collaboration and collective action to meet societal needs and safeguard our common good, water.
Every two months, we will keep you informed on the partnership's main achievements and activities. Water4All continues to drive forward key initiatives, including (but not limited to) updating our strategic research and innovation agenda, preparing the 4th JTC "Water and Health" planned for mid-September 2025, developing a matchmaking platform to connect research and innovation actors with public and private end-users, promoting training operations, developing actions to promote FAIR data sharing, working to strengthen and develop water-oriented living labs and reinforcing international links, to foster knowledge exchange and capacity building.
I hope you will enjoy reading this newsletter! - Benjamin LOPEZ
Water4All Activities
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 twelve 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 can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play, 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.