WaterJPI 2024 – summary of activities and Happy New Year
The Water JPI has made important strides in the second half of the year with the initiation of transformative initiatives within Horizon Europe, alongside the conclusion of pivotal projects. These advancements are further strengthened by the monthly publication of thematic articles, offering valuable insights into the activities and achievements of the Water JPI.
As part of the SD-WISHEES (Supporting and Developing Widening Strategies to Tackle Hydroclimatic Extreme Events) project, partnering several members of the Water JPI with organizations from across Europe, major steps forward have been taken for the launch of a Thematic Annual Programming (TAP) action at the beginning of 2025. The TAP action is designed to streamline collaborative efforts through the networking of projects funded by national participating countries. France, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Romania will be joining these collaborative efforts, which may translate into scientific publications, white papers on the topic of cultural heritage and hydroclimatic extreme events, or even the development of a consortium in response to calls for proposals.
The end of the year was marked by the final conference of the AquaticPollutants project. Held in October in Frankfurt, the conference brought together researchers, policymakers, and water management experts to address aquatic pollution and showcase the achievements of the project. The event featured engaging presentations, interactive exhibits, an award ceremony, and lively discussions on aquatic ecosystem protection. As the AquaticPollutants Era-Net concludes, the conference laid a strong foundation for ongoing innovation, emphasizing the importance of translating research into real-world impact to ensure healthier aquatic environments. You can find more detailed information on the final conference within this newsletter.
Complementing these initiatives is the publication of thematic articles that synthesize ongoing activities and key findings of the Water JPI. These publications, available on the Water JPI website, aim to better communicate with policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and the general public. Communication efforts this year have been enhanced by the publication of a video that summarizes the main features and success stories of the Water JPI since its inception in 2011. The video was shown during the World Water Forum in May 2024 and widely disseminated through our website and social networks.
This is the last Water JPI newsletter for 2024, a year marked by exciting opportunities for water research but also significant challenges. The devastating flooding episodes in Spain serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collaborative, policy-driven research to build resilient water management systems and safeguard communities against global threats.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Water JPI community remains committed to advancing these efforts and to addressing the growing complexities of water-related challenges.
On behalf of the entire Water JPI community, I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
- Esther Diez Cebollero, WaterJPI coordinator