Open topic: Innovative solutions for the European Water Resilience Strategy

This grant aims to support breakthrough innovation in the implementation of the European Water Resilience Strategy, contributing to the restoration of the water cycle, fostering a water-smart economy, ensuring the EU water industry’s competitiveness, and providing clean and affordable water for all. Proposals should demonstrate, test, or validate innovative tools and solutions, apply a multi-actor approach, and involve relevant stakeholders such as farmers, water-intensive industries, energy producers, land managers, water governance bodies, and local authorities. Projects should consider and potentially expand on the results of previous national or EU-funded research, avoid duplication, and promote future uptake and upscaling at various levels. Actions may address water retention in ecosystems, preparedness against water scarcity and floods, water efficiency across sectors, innovative water pricing, circular water use, public engagement in water resource management, equitable access to water, and methodologies for water footprint management. Collaboration among awarded projects and leveraging Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS data is encouraged.