Final Report Summary - SPI-WATER (Science-Policy Interfacing in support of the water framework directive implementation)
The proper implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) required the establishment of communication between scientists, practitioners and decision-makers at a river basin scale, in order to integrate policy requirements in research efforts and to successfully implement research outcomes. The SPI-WATER project aimed to enforce communication links between the involved stakeholders by developing and implementing a science-policy interface.
Firstly, the existing connections were investigated and projects associated with the implementation of the WFD were identified and analysed. Useful research results were subsequently synthesised and became available through the establishment of the SPI-WATER website.
Moreover, an existing information web portal was refined and further developed to provide an efficient, user-friendly tool for the dissemination and retrieval of information. The system was evaluated via its application in two selected river basins and disseminated to the targeted audience during a conference which was organised as part of the project.
Finally, the produced methodology and tools were extended to integrate relevant needs of non-European countries. An assessment and experimental verification of the operational necessities outside the European Union was undertaken and allowed for the preparation of recommendations towards an efficient knowledge transfer.
Firstly, the existing connections were investigated and projects associated with the implementation of the WFD were identified and analysed. Useful research results were subsequently synthesised and became available through the establishment of the SPI-WATER website.
Moreover, an existing information web portal was refined and further developed to provide an efficient, user-friendly tool for the dissemination and retrieval of information. The system was evaluated via its application in two selected river basins and disseminated to the targeted audience during a conference which was organised as part of the project.
Finally, the produced methodology and tools were extended to integrate relevant needs of non-European countries. An assessment and experimental verification of the operational necessities outside the European Union was undertaken and allowed for the preparation of recommendations towards an efficient knowledge transfer.