EIT Water Launched to help protect Europe’s water future

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has chosen the winning consortium that will lead EIT Water, the new Knowledge and Innovation Community in the Water, Marine and Maritime sectors and ecosystems. This marks a major step towards securing the continent’s water future, and to deliver innovations that can respond to environmental, economic and social pressures of Europe’s water systems.  

The EIT’s tenth Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) will apply an integrated approach across freshwater, marine and maritime sectors and ecosystems to solve water-related challenges. EIT Water will support entrepreneurial education and skills development, innovation projects as well as business creation by connecting innovators, researchers, and educators to Europe’s largest innovation network.

EIT Water Launched

Building on the EIT’s proven model of powering innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship, this new KIC will contribute directly to the EU’s priorities for a greener, more digital, and more resilient Europe – turning local potential into European impact. With an on-the-ground presence in all EU Member States, the EIT ensures that new technologies and innovative solutions are developed and rapidly deployed where they are needed most.

The KIC will focus on the following areas:

• water scarcity, drought, and floods;
• marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation;
• the circular and sustainable blue economy.

Meet the Winning Team Behind EIT Water

The winning team, Allwaters consists of 50 partners from 24 countries, including leading industry partners, universities, research organisations, ports, non-governmental organisations, SMEs, amongst others. Independent experts reviewed the proposals, and the top teams presented to the EIT Governing Board before the final selection.

Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, said: ‘Water connects all parts of our society and economy – from food and energy to industry and biodiversity. With EIT Water, Europe is strengthening its ability to manage and protect this shared resource more sustainably and innovatively. This new community will play an important role in the implementation of the Water Resilience Strategy and the building of a water-smart economy in Europe. A water-smart economy that works for people, nature, and our competitiveness.’

Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, said: ‘A healthy ocean and resilient freshwater systems are two sides of the same coin. EIT Water will help us bridge the gap between blue and green innovation by empowering local communities, businesses, and researchers.  Supporting the delivery of the European Ocean Pact, it will contribute to restoring ecosystems, protecting marine life and securing a sustainable future for Europe’s water and maritime sectors.’

Stefan Dobrev, Chairperson, EIT Governing Board said: ‘We are proud to welcome EIT Water to the EIT Community, which will be a platform for collaborative innovation, bringing together business, research, and education with strong industry involvement to deliver real solutions for Europe’s water challenges. By combining the EIT’s proven innovation model with Europe’s leading water experts and industries, we can turn today’s pressing water crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth, resilience, and global leadership.’

Michelle Williams, Coordinator, Aarhus University (Allwaters consortium), said: “We are truly honoured to lead EIT Water and to help shape Europe’s response to one of its most pressing challenges. Water is life — and safeguarding it requires innovation, collaboration, and commitment. Together with the EIT and our partners across Europe, we look forward to developing solutions that make our water systems more resilient, circular, and sustainable for generations to come.”

NEXT STEPS

To facilitate EIT Water’s establishment, the EIT will provide the KIC with a startup grant of up to €5 million during the launch phase in 2026, before it is expected to become fully operational in 2027. EIT Water will be an open partnership, allowing all stakeholders in the water sector to take part and benefit from its activities over its 15-year EIT-supported duration. The partnership is also expected to attract investment from other public and private sources to generate revenue, with the aim of ultimately achieving long-term financial sustainability.

Download the factsheet on the winning team!

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (EIT)

The EIT strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, among leading companies, research labs and universities. Currently nine EIT Knowledge & Innovation Communities are supported: Climate KIC (formerly EIT Climate-KIC), 28DIGITAL (formerly EIT Digital), Innoenergy (formerly EIT InnoEnergy), EIT Health, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Urban Mobility and EIT Culture & Creativity. Together with their leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services and innovation driven research projects.

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