Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 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: 2018-01-01 to 2019-05-31
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 aims at integrating the efforts and SRIA of funding organizations by pooling financial resources towards the definition and implementation of a co-funded Joint Call (JC) and developing activities to further support the Water JPI strategy and implementation, to overcoming current fragmentation and to seek synergies between R&I programmes/projects/partners.
The project started in January 2018 and will end in December 2022.
The project started in January 2018 and will end in December 2022.
"All six Work Packages (WPs) of WaterWorks2017 work plan have started and been running during this reporting period (January 2018 – May 2019):
A key WaterWorks2017 Milestone was achieved during this reporting period, namely the co-funded Water JPI 2018 JC implementation, addressing priorities of the Water JPI SRIA Theme 5, through the following challenges:
- Enabling Sustainable Management of Water Resources;
- Strengthening Socio-economic Approaches to Water Management;
- Supporting Tools for Sustainable Integrated Management of Water Resources
18 transnational collaborative R&I projects were selected for a total funding of 15.2 M€. The projects' funding involves 19 Funding Partner Organisations (FPOs) from 19 countries (including 6 associated and third countries) and the European Commission.
Guidelines for funded projects reporting and monitoring were produced in line with national and H2020 criteria and built on experience of previous Water JPI JCs. A Follow-up Group of Experts was set-up to perform the Mid-Term and Final Evaluation of funded projects.
WaterWorks2017 communication and dissemination activities implemented ensure the dissemination and uptake of knowledge and outputs, including its supporting co-funded projects, and engagement by researchers, industries, other relevant stakeholders, policymakers and society, in line with the Water JPI strategy and existing tools.
The Pilot Call Workshop was organised, for exchange and discussion of views and information regarding activities held under the Pilot call funded projects, with the funded projects Coordinators, Water JPI Members and Advisory Boards and interested organisations (European and international). The Policy Brief on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) was prepared.
A chief milestone of Additional Activities (AAs), was the organisation of the 2018 Water JPI Conference on “Emerging pollutants in freshwater ecosystems”, showcasing R&I results on emerging pollutants achieved through Water JPI activities and addressing the impact of this work on policy development.
Participation in the World Water Forum 2018, in cooperation with Brazilian Public sector organisations and EC provided the occasion to increase the Water JPI visibility at international level and contribute to EU and international RDI and policy agendas on Water (UN SDGs, follow-up of the COP21 & 22, H2020 Circular economy programme).
Though initially planned to be organised in May 2019, the Workshop on “Common Vision” organisation, was left out in the frame of the AAs work plan revision.
Based on the assessment of the lessons learned from the implementation of the Thematic Annual Programming (TAP) Water #1 (WaterWorks2015) conducted during the reporting period and due to reduction of EC contribution to AAs, the implementation of TAP Water #2 will be excluded though initially planned. Yet, a deeper assessment of lessons learned from TAP Water #1 will continue during the second reporting period, to launch the basis for setting-up a new TAP action under a future project.
"
A key WaterWorks2017 Milestone was achieved during this reporting period, namely the co-funded Water JPI 2018 JC implementation, addressing priorities of the Water JPI SRIA Theme 5, through the following challenges:
- Enabling Sustainable Management of Water Resources;
- Strengthening Socio-economic Approaches to Water Management;
- Supporting Tools for Sustainable Integrated Management of Water Resources
18 transnational collaborative R&I projects were selected for a total funding of 15.2 M€. The projects' funding involves 19 Funding Partner Organisations (FPOs) from 19 countries (including 6 associated and third countries) and the European Commission.
Guidelines for funded projects reporting and monitoring were produced in line with national and H2020 criteria and built on experience of previous Water JPI JCs. A Follow-up Group of Experts was set-up to perform the Mid-Term and Final Evaluation of funded projects.
WaterWorks2017 communication and dissemination activities implemented ensure the dissemination and uptake of knowledge and outputs, including its supporting co-funded projects, and engagement by researchers, industries, other relevant stakeholders, policymakers and society, in line with the Water JPI strategy and existing tools.
The Pilot Call Workshop was organised, for exchange and discussion of views and information regarding activities held under the Pilot call funded projects, with the funded projects Coordinators, Water JPI Members and Advisory Boards and interested organisations (European and international). The Policy Brief on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) was prepared.
A chief milestone of Additional Activities (AAs), was the organisation of the 2018 Water JPI Conference on “Emerging pollutants in freshwater ecosystems”, showcasing R&I results on emerging pollutants achieved through Water JPI activities and addressing the impact of this work on policy development.
Participation in the World Water Forum 2018, in cooperation with Brazilian Public sector organisations and EC provided the occasion to increase the Water JPI visibility at international level and contribute to EU and international RDI and policy agendas on Water (UN SDGs, follow-up of the COP21 & 22, H2020 Circular economy programme).
Though initially planned to be organised in May 2019, the Workshop on “Common Vision” organisation, was left out in the frame of the AAs work plan revision.
Based on the assessment of the lessons learned from the implementation of the Thematic Annual Programming (TAP) Water #1 (WaterWorks2015) conducted during the reporting period and due to reduction of EC contribution to AAs, the implementation of TAP Water #2 will be excluded though initially planned. Yet, a deeper assessment of lessons learned from TAP Water #1 will continue during the second reporting period, to launch the basis for setting-up a new TAP action under a future project.
"
WaterWorks2017 responds to the following impacts:
1. Improved use of scarce human and financial resources in the area of water R&I:
WaterWorks2017 effectively nurtures transnational R&I teams to strengthen coordination between regional, national, European and international water R&I programmes. The JC enabled fulfilling objectives of Water JPI SRIA Theme 5 priorities, while avoiding duplication of work, sharing operational costs, and increasing efficiency, as well as knowledge sharing, networking between researchers, and enlarging Water JPI international cooperation.
2. Reduced fragmentation of water R&I efforts across Europe:
Reduction of fragmentation of efforts has been addressed at Water JPI level through consultation and collaboration of Water JPI partners and stakeholders within JC and AAs activities conducted.
3. Improved synergy, coordination and coherence between national and EU funding in the relevant R&I fields through transnational collaboration:
WaterWorks2017 plays a major role in the implementation of Water JPI by interfacing national and EU funding and bringing together national programmes to a higher dimension through transnational collaboration. All WaterWorks2017 activities are opportunities for developing harmonised practices in R&I programming and Water JPI implementation.
4. Improved implementation of R&I programmes in these fields through exchange of good practices:
WaterWorks2017 develops activities on sharing of good practices among national and regional programmes. In line with other Water JPI activities, WaterWorks2017 works on the development of a Common Vision between the Water JPI and relevant European and international initiatives.
WaterWorks2017 will also impact society through dissemination and exploitation of funded projects, enforcing Open Access and promoting Open Data on the Water JPI website.
5. Strengthened international leadership of European research in this area making the Water JPI, in collaboration with the EC, a privileged and attractive partner for global cooperation in research and innovation, in the context of the Belmont Forum and other international alliances:
The organisation of the 2018 Water JPI Conference successfully demonstrates the attractiveness of the Water JPI activities and water R&I discussion with relevant researchers, policymakers and stakeholders. The participation at the World Water Forum 2018 also confirmed the increasing visibility and strengthening of the Water JPI status as an attractive partner for global cooperation in R&I, particularly in the field of closing the water cycle gap.
6. Contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the Water JPI
WaterWorks2017 activities have a key impact and contribute to the implementation of the Water JPI. Both JC and AAs activities effectively contribute to Water JPI strategy and implementation, in particular, contributing to EU and international R&I and policy agendas on water related challenges.
7. Contribution to the implementation of the SDGs as well as the conclusions of the COP21 Paris agreement
All WaterWorks2017 activities are particularly important for addressing UNSDGs (SDG6 & SDG13) and reaching wider and international audience for R&I results and Water JPI strategy and implementation.
1. Improved use of scarce human and financial resources in the area of water R&I:
WaterWorks2017 effectively nurtures transnational R&I teams to strengthen coordination between regional, national, European and international water R&I programmes. The JC enabled fulfilling objectives of Water JPI SRIA Theme 5 priorities, while avoiding duplication of work, sharing operational costs, and increasing efficiency, as well as knowledge sharing, networking between researchers, and enlarging Water JPI international cooperation.
2. Reduced fragmentation of water R&I efforts across Europe:
Reduction of fragmentation of efforts has been addressed at Water JPI level through consultation and collaboration of Water JPI partners and stakeholders within JC and AAs activities conducted.
3. Improved synergy, coordination and coherence between national and EU funding in the relevant R&I fields through transnational collaboration:
WaterWorks2017 plays a major role in the implementation of Water JPI by interfacing national and EU funding and bringing together national programmes to a higher dimension through transnational collaboration. All WaterWorks2017 activities are opportunities for developing harmonised practices in R&I programming and Water JPI implementation.
4. Improved implementation of R&I programmes in these fields through exchange of good practices:
WaterWorks2017 develops activities on sharing of good practices among national and regional programmes. In line with other Water JPI activities, WaterWorks2017 works on the development of a Common Vision between the Water JPI and relevant European and international initiatives.
WaterWorks2017 will also impact society through dissemination and exploitation of funded projects, enforcing Open Access and promoting Open Data on the Water JPI website.
5. Strengthened international leadership of European research in this area making the Water JPI, in collaboration with the EC, a privileged and attractive partner for global cooperation in research and innovation, in the context of the Belmont Forum and other international alliances:
The organisation of the 2018 Water JPI Conference successfully demonstrates the attractiveness of the Water JPI activities and water R&I discussion with relevant researchers, policymakers and stakeholders. The participation at the World Water Forum 2018 also confirmed the increasing visibility and strengthening of the Water JPI status as an attractive partner for global cooperation in R&I, particularly in the field of closing the water cycle gap.
6. Contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the Water JPI
WaterWorks2017 activities have a key impact and contribute to the implementation of the Water JPI. Both JC and AAs activities effectively contribute to Water JPI strategy and implementation, in particular, contributing to EU and international R&I and policy agendas on water related challenges.
7. Contribution to the implementation of the SDGs as well as the conclusions of the COP21 Paris agreement
All WaterWorks2017 activities are particularly important for addressing UNSDGs (SDG6 & SDG13) and reaching wider and international audience for R&I results and Water JPI strategy and implementation.