Periodic Reporting for period 2 - WaterWorks2017 (Water Works 2018-2022 in Support of the Water JPI (WaterWorks2017) and of the EC Call SC5-33-2017: Closing the water cycle gap)
Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2023-12-31
Water scarcity and droughts are increasingly frequent in Europe. Recent droughts have not only severely affected southern European regions but also those in the centre and the north in the continent. Moreover, the overexploitation and the deterioration of quality of water resources can aggravate the consequences of droughts and climate change. This situation does not only compromise the availability of water for human consumption; it also jeopardises our social and economic system. Water scarcity strongly impacts the agricultural and industrial sectors as well as the production of energy. Needless to say that water scarcity can trigger huge economic losses and may bring on social conflicts for competing uses of a limited resource.
In order to overcome these challenges, a joint project was initiated by the Water JPI and co- funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020’s Societal Challenge 'Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials', named WaterWorks2017.
Started in January 2018 and ended in December 2023, after a one-year extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WaterWorks2017 addresses the grand priorities of Water JPI’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Theme 5, through transnational and trans-disciplinary research and innovation actions. Specifically, WaterWorks2017 aimed at integrating the efforts and strategic priorities of funding organisations by pooling financial resources towards the definition and implementation of a co-funded Joint Call (JC) and the development of activities to further support the Water JPI strategy and implementation, to overcome current research and innovation fragmented efforts and to seek synergies between R&I programmes/projects/partners.
WaterWorks2017’s main objective was to bridge the gap between the supply and demand of water, the main driver being the provision of a sustainable water supply, in terms of quality and quantity.
In order to overcome these challenges, a joint project was initiated by the Water JPI and co- funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020’s Societal Challenge 'Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials', named WaterWorks2017.
Started in January 2018 and ended in December 2023, after a one-year extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WaterWorks2017 addresses the grand priorities of Water JPI’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Theme 5, through transnational and trans-disciplinary research and innovation actions. Specifically, WaterWorks2017 aimed at integrating the efforts and strategic priorities of funding organisations by pooling financial resources towards the definition and implementation of a co-funded Joint Call (JC) and the development of activities to further support the Water JPI strategy and implementation, to overcome current research and innovation fragmented efforts and to seek synergies between R&I programmes/projects/partners.
WaterWorks2017’s main objective was to bridge the gap between the supply and demand of water, the main driver being the provision of a sustainable water supply, in terms of quality and quantity.
WaterWorks2017 has achieved the objective of contributing to improved coordination of European Water research and innovation by launching successfully the 2018 Joint Transnational Call (JTC), with a wide international representation. The JTC resulted in the selection of 18 transnational collaborative research and innovation projects (final Booklet available on the website).
This call also represented a joint effort towards alignment by supporting the consolidation of administrative procedures. Guidelines for funded projects reporting and monitoring were produced in line with national and H2020 criteria.
The most common output of the funded projects was the publication of results in scientific journals, specialized books, and the communication of results at scientific and technical conferences. Additionally, exploitable results such as methods, toolboxes, guidelines, etc. were produced, and some of them protected with patent applications.
WaterWorks2017 communication and dissemination activities ensured the global outreach of projects to enhance the overall uptake of knowledge. In this regard, it should be noted the publication of a policy brief, the language used by partners adapted to the target audience, which included researchers, representatives of the private sector policymakers and society in general.
The Additional Activities conducted during the project contributed to the implementation of Water JPI’s strategy. Partners enhanced the international dimension of the Water JPI through their participation in international fora and conferences and the organisation of valorisation showcases. Key lessons and recommendations from WaterWorks2017 will feed the Water4All Partnership, including the update of its strategic agenda, international cooperation, communication and dissemination, and valorisation.
This call also represented a joint effort towards alignment by supporting the consolidation of administrative procedures. Guidelines for funded projects reporting and monitoring were produced in line with national and H2020 criteria.
The most common output of the funded projects was the publication of results in scientific journals, specialized books, and the communication of results at scientific and technical conferences. Additionally, exploitable results such as methods, toolboxes, guidelines, etc. were produced, and some of them protected with patent applications.
WaterWorks2017 communication and dissemination activities ensured the global outreach of projects to enhance the overall uptake of knowledge. In this regard, it should be noted the publication of a policy brief, the language used by partners adapted to the target audience, which included researchers, representatives of the private sector policymakers and society in general.
The Additional Activities conducted during the project contributed to the implementation of Water JPI’s strategy. Partners enhanced the international dimension of the Water JPI through their participation in international fora and conferences and the organisation of valorisation showcases. Key lessons and recommendations from WaterWorks2017 will feed the Water4All Partnership, including the update of its strategic agenda, international cooperation, communication and dissemination, and valorisation.
WaterWorks2017 responds to the following impacts:
1. Improved use of scarce human and financial resources in the area of water R&I:
WaterWorks2017 effectively nurtured transnational R&I teams to strengthen coordination between regional, national, European and international water R&I programmes. The JTC enabled not only to fulfil objectives of Water JPI SRIA’s Theme 5 priorities, but it also set out procedures to avoid the duplication of work, share operational costs and knowledge, and increase efficiency of resources.
2. Reduced fragmentation of water R&I efforts across Europe:
Reduction of fragmentation of efforts has been addressed at Water JPI level through consultations and collaborations between Water JPI partners. The positive results on this collaboration are reflected in the funding of R&I projects and the launch of additional activities.
3. Improved synergy, coordination and coherence between national and EU funding in the relevant R&I fields through transnational collaboration:
WaterWorks2017 provided an interface between national and European funding and gave a higher dimension to national programs through transnational collaboration. It also helped to develop harmonised practices in R&I programming and implementation of the JPI. In line with other Water JPI activities, WaterWorks2017 worked on the development of a Common Vision between the Water JPI and relevant European and international initiatives. Participation in international conferences constituted an excellent opportunity to improve synergies with other programmes.
4. Improved implementation of R&I programmes in these fields through exchange of good practices:
WaterWorks2017 enabled the sharing of good practices among national programmes. Key lessons from WaterWorks2017 will be instrumental in the implementation of future activities as part of the Water4All Partnership. WaterWorks2017 have also impacted society through the dissemination and exploitation of funded projects, including good practices, enforcing Open Access and promoting Open Data on the Water JPI website.
5. Strengthened international leadership of the Water JPI:
The organisation of the 2018 Water JPI Conference successfully demonstrated the attractiveness of Water JPI activities. The participation to numerous international Fora and conferences also confirmed the increasing visibility and strengthening of the Water JPI status as an attractive partner for global cooperation in R&I.
6. Contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the Water JPI
WaterWorks2017 activities had a key impact and contributed to the implementation of the Water JPI, contributing to EU and international R&I and policy water agendas.
Efforts are being made to facilitate the knowledge transfer and take-up of R&I outputs produced by WaterWorks2017 funded projects through a communication campaign managed by the Water JPI’s Coordination and Secretariat team.
7. Contribution to the implementation of the SDGs as well as the conclusions of the COP21 Paris agreement
All WaterWorks2017 activities were particularly important for addressing UNSDGs (SDG6 & SDG13) and reaching wider and international audience for R&I results and Water JPI’s strategy. Projects funded provided innovative solutions, methods and approaches for better water management and governance, capacity building, and international cooperation.
1. Improved use of scarce human and financial resources in the area of water R&I:
WaterWorks2017 effectively nurtured transnational R&I teams to strengthen coordination between regional, national, European and international water R&I programmes. The JTC enabled not only to fulfil objectives of Water JPI SRIA’s Theme 5 priorities, but it also set out procedures to avoid the duplication of work, share operational costs and knowledge, and increase efficiency of resources.
2. Reduced fragmentation of water R&I efforts across Europe:
Reduction of fragmentation of efforts has been addressed at Water JPI level through consultations and collaborations between Water JPI partners. The positive results on this collaboration are reflected in the funding of R&I projects and the launch of additional activities.
3. Improved synergy, coordination and coherence between national and EU funding in the relevant R&I fields through transnational collaboration:
WaterWorks2017 provided an interface between national and European funding and gave a higher dimension to national programs through transnational collaboration. It also helped to develop harmonised practices in R&I programming and implementation of the JPI. In line with other Water JPI activities, WaterWorks2017 worked on the development of a Common Vision between the Water JPI and relevant European and international initiatives. Participation in international conferences constituted an excellent opportunity to improve synergies with other programmes.
4. Improved implementation of R&I programmes in these fields through exchange of good practices:
WaterWorks2017 enabled the sharing of good practices among national programmes. Key lessons from WaterWorks2017 will be instrumental in the implementation of future activities as part of the Water4All Partnership. WaterWorks2017 have also impacted society through the dissemination and exploitation of funded projects, including good practices, enforcing Open Access and promoting Open Data on the Water JPI website.
5. Strengthened international leadership of the Water JPI:
The organisation of the 2018 Water JPI Conference successfully demonstrated the attractiveness of Water JPI activities. The participation to numerous international Fora and conferences also confirmed the increasing visibility and strengthening of the Water JPI status as an attractive partner for global cooperation in R&I.
6. Contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the Water JPI
WaterWorks2017 activities had a key impact and contributed to the implementation of the Water JPI, contributing to EU and international R&I and policy water agendas.
Efforts are being made to facilitate the knowledge transfer and take-up of R&I outputs produced by WaterWorks2017 funded projects through a communication campaign managed by the Water JPI’s Coordination and Secretariat team.
7. Contribution to the implementation of the SDGs as well as the conclusions of the COP21 Paris agreement
All WaterWorks2017 activities were particularly important for addressing UNSDGs (SDG6 & SDG13) and reaching wider and international audience for R&I results and Water JPI’s strategy. Projects funded provided innovative solutions, methods and approaches for better water management and governance, capacity building, and international cooperation.