Impact Assessment of Water JPI activities

The Joint Programming Initiative “Water Challenges for a Changing World” (Water JPI) was established in 2011 as a European platform to address the major global societal challenges in the water area and to have strong contribution to the reduction of fragmentation, mobilisation of skills, knowledge, and resources, with a view to strengthening Europe's leadership and competitiveness in water research and innovation.

After 10 years of active multifaceted operation in 2021 the global impact of Water JPI activities was assessed and report on Impact Assessment of Water JPI activities has been published as part of the IC4WATER Project.

The Water JPI Global Impact Assessment Report is available here for download!

The assessment was carried out by a high-level Panel chaired by Leonidas Antoniou. Other panel members were Jennifer Cassingena Harper, Abida Durrani, Steven Eisenreich, Eeva Furman, Juliette Lassman and Andrea Rubini.

The evaluation framework included a set of common important Dimensions: alignment, internationalisation, enhanced knowledge production, governance, and contribution to the societal challenges. In addition, Panel investigated possible future perspectives of the Water JPI and gave their recommendations.

The Panel concluded that the overall impact of the Water JPI is positive, however there are subjects for improvement in the future. One of the key recommendations is to develop more ambitious Valorisation Strategy. In the report foreword they say: “The establishment of an effective mechanism to promote and monitor the valorisation of projects’ results is crucial in achieving the goals. Research outputs should be translated into policy advice and dedicated communication and knowledge transfer strategies should enhance the dissemination and global outreach.” and further recommend that: “The launching of the European Partnership Water4All should be seen as a first-class opportunity to bring the Water JPI to another level by further strengthening the knowledge transfer of research outputs to pragmatic—and actual—working deliverables and results based on sound science.”

Finally, the panel stated that “it is believed that joint European and international action is the only way to meet the water challenges”. To achieve this, strong and long-term national and EC commitment should be secured.