AquaticPollutants Final Brochure – A Snapshot of Impactful Research for Healthy Waters

The AquaticPollutants ERA-NET Cofund was launched with an ambitious vision: to advance our understanding and response to pollutants and pathogens in aquatic environments. It unfolded through two complementary Joint Calls that together enhanced both scientific innovation and real-world impact.

The main call, the 2020 Joint Transnational Call, funded 18 collaborative research and innovation projects. These projects explored the interconnected themes of measuring, evaluating, and taking action on the risks posed by emerging pollutants and pathogens in water resources. From improving detection technologies to assessing ecological and health risks, and developing mitigation strategies, the projects brought together interdisciplinary teams across Europe to tackle one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

A second call, launched in parallel, supported a single Transfer Project—AquaticPollutantsTransNet. Its mission was to amplify the visibility, uptake, and impact of the research results produced by the funded consortia. Through knowledge transfer activities, stakeholder engagement, and targeted communication, the Transfer Project played a key role in bridging science and policy and in helping to align project outcomes with societal and regulatory needs.

With the initiative now concluded, the newly released AquaticPollutants Final Brochure provides a comprehensive overview of the projects' motivations, methodologies, key findings, and forward-looking perspectives. It offers readers a rich synthesis of how collaborative science can inform better water management and protect both environmental and human health.

In September 2024, the AquaticPollutants initiative came to a close with a vibrant Final Conference in Frankfurt, Germany. Hosted by DECHEMA, the event brought together researchers, policymakers, and water management experts to explore the programme’s achievements, share key research outcomes, and reflect on future directions. The discussions and exchanges that took place underscored the importance of continued collaboration in shaping healthier aquatic environments and turning scientific knowledge into impactful solutions.

Download the AquaticPollutants Final Brochure here

We invite you to explore the brochure and discover how the AquaticPollutants ERA-NET Cofund helped turn joint programming into impactful action.