Joint Programming Initiatives

WATER JPI: Water challenges for a changing world

The joint programming initiative "Water challenges for a changing world" aims at aligning efforts, mobilize resources and reinforce the European competitiveness and leadership in research and innovation in the Water domain. Portugal is one of the partners in this initiative, in which the European Commission is also a participant. In 2014, it was launched the ERA-NET WaterWorks 2014-2019 in Support of the Water JPI, in which Portugal is a partner as well.

Highlights

Announcement of the WaterWorks 2014 Cofunded Call (2 March 2015): Research and Innovation for Development of Technological Solutions and Services for Water Systems. Consult the Call page (here).

Call Topics:
Research and Innovation for Developing Technological Solutions and Services:

for Water Treatment, Reuse, Recycling and Desalination;
for Water Resources Management;
to Mitigate Impacts of Extreme Events (Floods and Droughts) at Catchment Scale.

Useful Links

Water JPI Overview

The Water JPI is an intergovernmental initiative which aims at achieving sustainable water systems for a sustainable economy in Europe and abroad. This grand challenge will be achieved through harmonizing and mobilizing resources. To attain those goals it will be necessary to adopt a transnational and multi-disciplinary vision in order to address the specific challenges that have been identified in the economic, ecological, societal and technological domains.

Objetives and RDI Domains
- The Water JPI is focused in the area of freshwater and Hydrology, and seeks to address one major challenge: Achieving Sustainable Water Systems for a Sustainable Economy in Europe and Abroad. This overarching goal is split in five areas- research challenges:
- 1. Maintaining ecosystem sustainability.
- 2. Developing safe water systems for the citizens.
- 3. Promoting competitiveness in the water industry.
- 4. Implementing a water-wise bio-based economy.
- 5. Closing the water-cycle gap .
Action Plan
- Among the activities developed by this initiative a mapping of European research and innovation in Water will be undertaken, as well as the definition of a Strategic Research Agenda and Innovation (SRIA), whose implementation intends to reach the alignment of national programs in a common programmatic guidance. Development of joint activities is another important action – two transnational calls for projects are already foreseen.
  This European initiative bets the promotion of a systematic, active and critical involvement of Water policymakers and stakeholders, especially from companies and industry sectors.
Member-Countries
- Since 2008 the Water JPI has been building a cohesive taskforce at the level of RDI Programmes, and currently integrates 19 partner countries, the European Commission and 5 observer countries. For detailed information, one should consult the Water JPI website.

Joint Activities

WatEUr: Coordination and Support Action
- The Coordination and Support Action WatEUr aims at the preparation and support of the development and implementation of the Water JPI. With the elaboration of the commitments and objectives of the Water JPI, and its management structure, it is of primordial importance to create the mechanisms to guarantee the efficient progress and development of this joint initiative. In harmony with the Water JPI, the WatEUr develops joint efforts with the aim at consolidating the European Research Area (ERA), and to benefit researchers, water legal entities, industry, farmers and producers, and citizens in general. The WatEUr provides the support to the Water JPI in order to minimize the fragmentation of research efforts at the European level, the maximization of the collaborative work and the use of the limiting resources, and the European growth and development at the scientific and technological level, in the Water domain.
  For detailed information consult the WatEUr webpage.
Water JPI Pilot Transnational Call: Emerging Water Contaminants - Anthropogenic Pollutants and Pathogens
- Call Opening: 1 November 2013
  Deadline for submission of Proposals: 19 December 2013 (11:00 GMT)
  Portugal is one of the funding partners of the call, via the Foundation for Science and Technology. The FCT available funds are 500.000€, limited to 150.000€ per proposal.
  The Call Announcement and Call Documentation can be consulted at the Water JPI webpage, including procedures for submission of applications and evaluation, national specificities regarding proposals eligibility and national contact points. We also recommend the consultation of the database available on the same page, in order to facilitate the search for potential partners.