European Commission launches partnership to boost water

The European Commission has approved the launch of a new, pan-European, public and private partnership among leading companies, research organisations and universities covering the water, marine and maritime sectors to “connect top partners and steer innovation to strengthen the blue economy and Europe's competitiveness.”

The partnership – a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) – will be launched by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which is part of the the European Union’s research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe.

According to European Commission analysis, the establishment of a new KIC is “relevant for tackling critical global challenges including: water scarcity, droughts and floods as well as marine and freshwater degradation.”   

Chair of the EIT governing board, Nektarios Tavernarakis, said the new KIC, EIT Water, “will boost Europe’s competitiveness, whilst investing in one of the globe’s most precious natural resources.”

At the beginning of 2025, the EIT will publish a call for proposals inviting applicants to submit their vision for EIT Water. It will be selected in 2025 and launched in 2026.

According to EIT, EIT Water will receive EIT strategic steering and long-term financing for its work with its partners to offer innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe, including entrepreneurial education and skills development courses, as well as innovation-driven research projects and business creation services. EIT said its KICs “drive industries to increase their innovation potential and deliver on sustainable solutions to global challenges.”

It went on to point out that “freshwater and marine ecosystems have been under considerable and increasing stress due to the overuse and mismanagement of natural resources and changing land-sea uses. Global aquatic resources are significantly impacted, and biodiversity is threatened by climate change, industrial misuse and pollution.”

It said the new EIT Water, “through successful innovations and contributions from third parties”, is expected to “become financially sustainable over time beyond the period supported by EIT funding.”