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PUBLICATION - Conclusions on business models for addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals

PUBLICATION - Conclusions on business models for addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals
PUBLICATION - Conclusions on business models for addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals

Partners of the IC4Water CSA published in October 2021 a policy brief on Conclusions on business models for addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing the Death Valley of projects to create a Water-Smart Society beyond Europe. These recommendations were presented by Véronique Briquet-Laugier, Water JPI Coordinator, at the 2021 Cairo Water Week.

A 56% deficit in water supply relative to demand is foreseen by 2030. Water knows no border and impacts directly our economy, society and environment. This projection by the World Resources Institute reinforces the importance not only to find water-smart solutions but also to reduce the time-to-market of projects. This fact makes collaboration imperative to address the SDGs through co-creative, comprehensive and real-life collaboration for people. We need to stimulate new business models between public and private partners.

This policy brief aims to summarise the outcomes of the Water JPI - IC4WATER work package 3 (WP3: Public-Private Partnership, for a common action plan with the economic sector) by developing a common approach, identifying drivers and barriers and set up recommendations on “Business models” for addressing the SDGs. The recommendations are based on the conclusions of two workshops, one questionnaire and one webinar.

Key recommendations for public funding agencies with the aim of to better facilitate the valorisation of water research projects:

  • Encourage the use of brokers, between capital, industry, and research to better connect multiple parties involved. Money itself is not the main problem; water research is interesting for private parties too.
  • Support a long-term engagement to ensure proper outcomes and to prevent stop-and-go adverse effects and waste of resources.
  • Facilitate Co-creation: involve local partners and business during the whole project cycle. It is necessary and important to fill the gap between cultural differences. Local partners and businesses must be involved through ‘ influential participation ’ from the very start.

The new publication is available online for download!

IC4Water Policy Brief - Conclusions on business models for addressing SDGs and reducing the Death Valley of projects to create a Water-Smart Society beyond Europe (October 2021)