Teaming up for water resources management solutions
The 'Water supply and sanitation technology platform' (WSSTP) project set out to strengthen the competitiveness and technological innovation potential of the European water industry, water professionals and research institutions. WSSTP approached this through the development of three strategic publications aimed at meeting global challenges and regional demands for safe, secure and sustainable water supply. The Member States Mirror Group (MSMG) had an important role to play in the supporting the project's efforts. Comprising regulators and policymakers from Member States (MS) as well as research and development (R&D) Framework Programme Associated States interested in the activities of the platform, the MSMG enhanced communication and exchange channels, and provided information on MS policies and programmes relevant to the platform's goals and deliverables envisioned. The vision document, 'Water safe, strong and sustainable', offers insight into what could be achieved by 2030 if R&D resources are made available and targeted to responding to the challenges the European water sector is facing. The Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) 'Water research — a necessary investment in our common future' expands on what research is needed in order to realise the vision. The document is based on a participatory approach to solutions for water resources management, integrated across individual sectors and disciplines, and civil participation. The implementation plan (IP) offers ideas for demonstration pilots and implementation cases as well as on how to design and facilitate grants and resolve debts. Based on a systems approach, the IP envisages various stakeholders coming together to develop solutions for the global water market. The document also outlines a strategy for executing the SRA across six pilot themes. The joint focus in the production of the documents succeeded in bringing together various groups of stakeholders and aligning the visions of a very diverse water sector. The latter now has a multi-stakeholder forum that can apply an integrated approach to research and innovative technologies development.
