The Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative for an Innovation Union proposed the concept of European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs). DG Environment, in close cooperation with DG Research and Innovation and other DG's, has launched a proposal for a European Innovation Partnership on Water

Commission Communication on the European Innovation Partnership on Water

European Innovation Partnerships, proposed by the Europe 2020 Innovation Union flagship initiative, aim to speed up innovations that contribute to solving societal challenges, enhance Europe's competitiveness and contribute to job creation and economic growth. EIPs help to pool expertise and resources by bringing together public and private actors at EU, national and regional level, combining supply- and demand-side measures.

The overall objective of the EIP on Water is to support and facilitate the development of innovative solutions to deal with the many water related challenges Europe and the world are facing, as well as to support economic growth by bringing such solutions to the market. At the same time, innovations are considered to be an important tool to develop adequate and state of the art European water policy.

The EIP on Water will centre on removing barriers to innovation and connecting the supply and demand sides of water related innovations. The activities of the EIP on Water will be structured around challenges in the areas of urban water management, rural water management and industrial water management, as well as addressing cross cutting themes. The EIP on Water will be based on a multidisciplinary approach, identifying in which areas innovations are needed to develop solutions – research, technology, governance, ICT, financial or others. This approach will ensure a maximum coordination with and use of the activities and outputs of existing European or national initiatives, such as the Joint Programming Initiative on Water, European Technology Platforms, Eco-Innovation Action Plan etc.

The EIP on Water will be driven by a bottom-up approach to identify the priorities for action and to identify the bottlenecks and needs to facilitate innovation.

Anticipated outputs of the EIP on water include:

• innovation sites to identify barriers to innovation; develop, test and demonstrate concrete activities, actions, prototypes and solutions in relation to particular water challenges
• dissemination of breakthroughs and innovative solutions
• removal of water innovation barriers – regulatory, financial, standardization, technical, social, etc. – which hamper the successful delivery of innovations to the market; and
• a water innovation 'market place' to promote interaction between those facing water problems and those who can provide potential solutions, regardless of their geographical location.

The EIP on water is expected be fully operational in early 2013 and to start delivering first results within one year.

The EIP on Water will need endorsement by the EU Member States.

Read more about the development of the EIP on Water in the draft consultation document.

For more information on the concept of European Innovation Partnerships, please look at the following documents with 'Frequently Asked Questions':

• EIP Frequently Asked Questions - May 2012
• EIP Frequently Asked Questions - December 2010

A number of dedicated stakeholder consultations for all related and interested stakeholders have been organized during the preparation of the proposal for the EIP on Water. The aim was to ensure a bottom-up approach for a solid feedback and understanding of the needs and interests of all involved actors. The consultation procedure has delivered input for the communication on the EIP on Water.

Organized meetings:

• Member State consultation 6 July 2011
• 1st Stakeholder consultation 20_11_2011ober 2011
• Workshop co-operation with European Technology Platform 15_12_2011ember 2011
• 2nd Stakeholder consultation 1 February 2012

Stakeholder contributions

In the preparation of the proposal EIP on Water the stakeholders have the possibility to share their views in writing for the public. Please find the written views received so far here.

Learn more about EU2020, Flagship Initiative and Pilot European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing.