Newsletter - Summer Issue 2023

The final event of the WaterWorks2017 Project has been held from 31 May to 1^st June in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). The event gathered more than 100 participants. The main objective of this final review was to allow project coordinators to present the results of the 18 funded projects to the follow up group. But this event was also the opportunity to meet the coordinators and projects team members, representatives of funding agencies, and early career researchers. This event was held back-to-back with another event, the AquaticPollutants mid-Term Meeting. The organisation of these two meetings allowed creating synergies whilst fostering exchanges between the different funding programmes.

On this occasion, a number of additional events took place including a poster session, a contest for the PhD forum, structured networking, social event, sharing stories…

Following the final evaluation, a showcase event focusing on the valorisation/impact of funded projects will be organised in the fall of 2023 within the framework of the Ecomondo conference. Also, a brochure is currently being developed in order to provide readers updated information on the results of funded projects. 

The Water JPI will participate, for a second year in a row, in the Ecomondo conference. Ecomondo is an international event for the showcase of technologies, services and industrial solutions in the green and circular economy sectors, including water, waste disposal, textiles, bioenergy, soil management and protection, transport, agriculture and sustainable cities. This year, Ecomondo will be held from 7^th to 10^th November in Rimini (Italy).

On the 7^th November, up to 4 coordinators of WaterWorks2017 funded project will present the results of their projects and their possible applications in real-world situations. The participation of the Water JPI to the Ecomondo conference is part of the valorisation strategy of the initiative aiming to enhance the socioeconomic and environmental impact of funded projects. Discussions with the audience will enable to explore opportunities for the political and market uptake of Water JPI’s results.

Following a decision from the Governing Board, a communication campaign will be launched in September 2023. Already the objectives of this campaign were presented in Madrid on the 31^st May- 1^st June during the WaterWorks2017 and AquaticPollutants meetings. This idea was welcomed by participants.

The positive reception and insightful responses received have set the stage for an impactful initiative. The campaign aims to effectively communicate and disseminate information about both ongoing and previous activities of the Water JPI, while also contributing to the sustainability of its results. By establishing itself as a key player in shaping European water policies, providing market-oriented solutions, and keeping citizens informed, the Water JPI endeavors to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among scientists, policymakers, and the public.

Objectives of the Communication Campaign

The main purpose of the communication campaign is to ensure widespread awareness and understanding of the Water JPI's current and past endeavors. By harnessing the power of effective communication, the campaign seeks to achieve the following key objectives:

1. Dissemination of Results: The campaign aims to promote the dissemination of the Water JPI's outcomes to a diverse range of stakeholders. By highlighting achievements and sharing success stories, it endeavors to showcase the contributions of the initiative to the water sector.
2. Policy Influence: The Water JPI aspires to have a real impact in the development of European water policies. Through this campaign, it intends to emphasize its role in shaping policies that address water-related challenges and foster sustainable practices.
3. Market Uptake of Solutions: The campaign seeks to identify and promote solutions generated by the Water JPI and its funded projects that have the potential for market uptake. By highlighting innovative approaches and practical applications, the campaign aims to contribute to possible commercialization of water-related technologies and solutions.
4. Citizen Engagement: Recognizing the importance of engaging citizens, the campaign endeavors to keep the public informed about progress and achievements made in the field of water. By sharing relevant information, success stories, and lessons learned, the campaign aims to empower citizens to actively participate in water-related discussions and decision-making processes.

The communication campaign will be spearheaded by the Secretariat and Coordination team at ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) and will eventually replace the existing newsletter. The team will be responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of the campaign, ensuring its smooth execution. However, the campaign also encourages active participation and contribution from all partners associated with the Water JPI.

To maximize visibility and reach, the campaign will utilize popular social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn. A teaser of each article will be posted on these platforms to generate interest and drive traffic to the comprehensive articles, which will be made available through the Water JPI's official channels.

The launch of the communication campaign marks a significant milestone for the Water JPI in its mission to promote water sustainability and influence European water policies. By effectively disseminating information, sharing success stories, and engaging citizens, the campaign aims to create a lasting impact in the water sector. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the Water JPI endeavors to contribute to the development of innovative solutions and foster a sustainable future for water resources. With the official launch of the first article scheduled for September 2023, the campaign is set to gain momentum, creating a platform for scientists, citizens, and policymakers to come together and shape the future of water management.

Numerous activities are being carried out by the SD-WISHEES Consortium. Two deliverables have recently been submitted: the 2023 SD-WISHEES’ implementation plan and the SD-WISHEES’ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The first of these deliverables describes the key activities to be conducted till the end of 2023; the second one lists KPIs for each of the work packages in order to measure progress towards project objectives.

It should be noted that partners are starting to collect interest from national funding agencies from Europe and abroad to participate in the SD-WISHEES’ Thematic Annual Programming (TAP) action that will see the light at the end of 2024/ beginning of 2025. So far, France and Moldova have confirmed their interest. An information day on the TAP will be organised by ANR (France) in September. At least, 3 countries must confirm their participation to enable the launch of this instrument, which has been successfully implemented by the Water JPI in the past (further information can be found here: http://www.waterjpi.eu/implementation/thematic-activities/water-jpi-tap-action).

If you represent a programme owner organisation and you are interested to join the future SD-WISHEES TAP, please contact: esther.diezcebollero@agencerecherche.fr AND ines.alterio@agencerecherche.fr

The European Commission has unveiled its Strategic Plan for the second half of the Horizon Europe Programme. The Strategic Plan establishes areas for future research and innovation activities for each of Horizon Europe’s clusters as well as expected impacts. It is the basis for the work programmes covering Pillar II of Horizon Europe and its call topics. The Water JPI’s Task Force on Interactions with Horizon Europe has emitted its opinion on the document, which is currently being discussed by Member States.

Amongst other proposals, the Strategic Plan announces the launch of a KIC in the field of Water, Marine and Maritime Sectors and Ecosystems in order to reinforce the links between research, innovation and education. The Commission also foresees to strengthen collaboration with the African continent and Latin America and the Caribbean region. Further information on the Strategic Plan can be found here.

The Water JPI Coordination team joined the last meeting of the Advisory Board of the EcoDalli project on the 13rd July. Project partners went through the progress made in each of the work packages and the Water JPI expressed its availability to exchange information and key lessons on a number of issues, including ecosystems restoration measures, innovations uptake and living labs.

As a reminder, the main objective of EcoDalli is to centralise Danube governance structures in terms of innovative solutions for improved ecological restoration, protection and preservation of the Danube basin and its delta by fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem within a well-connected practice living lab system. The project is funded by the Mission “Restore our ocean, seas and waters by 2030” and it is coordinated by Steinbeis (Germany).