Cofunded by the European Union

Pillar A counts with the participation of 29 partners. They stem from research funding organisations, research performers, academia and technology platforms.

Water4All strategy emerges in a complex and dense landscape of water RDI programmes. They come from national and European levels. Programmes priorities might differ as environmental, political and economic contexts are different. The setting of the strategic direction is the result of a long and consensus-based approach. It encompasses partners’ priorities and views to address the grand challenge of water for all.

  • Structure & objectives

    The Pillar A structure is divided in 3 tasks:

    1. Task A.1. Developing and updating the SRIA (link to the SRIA page and or pdf) of the Partnership.
    2. Task A.2. Alignment and Coordination of RDI (Research, Development & Innovation) programmes and actions in the field of water.
    3. Task A.3. Raising awareness about Partnership outputs (communication & dissemination activities).

    To this end, the specific objectives of Pillar A are:

    • To ensure a permanent dialogue with all partners, a wide variety of stakeholders and Water4All Advisory Boards on water RDI needs, gaps, priorities, trends, drivers and enablers.
    • To identify areas of synergies, and possible activities, with other water related initiatives (to maximise the overall impact of activities and enhance the critical mass of the programme).
    • To deliver and manage tools to improve the visibility of activities and proposed solutions.
  • Medium & short term impacts of activities
    • Better coordination of existing water RDI programmes, i.e. common prioritisation of needs and identification of needs/ gaps, complementarity of activities, and the production of high quality .
    • To improve communication between the RDI community and potential end-users of Water4All’s results e.g. policy makers, water management authorities, private sector, water utilities.
    • To increase awareness and visibility of water RDI issues and water challenges in securing water for all.
    • To attain critical mass of water RDI programmes. Progress in the coordination and the implementation of Water4All activities is expected to attract additional partners and water RDI programmes.
    • To make of Water4All an initiative that informs policy making and water management.
  • Outputs & impacts

    Expected outputs of Pillar A are:

    • To involve relevant stakeholders in strategic activities of Water4All through their participation in consultative seminars, public consultations, targeted interviews, etc.
    • To enable dialogue between water RDI programme owners.
    • To develop a better understanding of water RDI/ challenges under different scenarios.
    • To produce an exhaustive mapping of water RDI programmes all over Europe, funding schemes, funded projects, research infrastructures, mobility schemes and international cooperation.
    • To inform Water4All’s annual work plans.
    • To produce communication, dissemination and exploitation tools to promote Water4All’s results and enhance the societal relevance of the programme.
    • To set up a catalogue of success stories that could be transferable to other initiatives.

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.