1. EU Water Initiative Research Component
International RTD Cooperation
EU Water Initiative Research Component
European Commission, DG RTD-E5

2. EU Water Initiative - A Quick Overview Components
Johannesburg and Water related MDGs
Geographical
Components
and
Thematic
AFRICA (sub-Saharan)
EECCA
MEDITERRANEAN (North Africa & Middle East)
LATIN AMERICA
others to follow...
Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS)
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM...including transboundary resources)
Horizontal
Financing
Research
Monitoring

3. Existing RTD foundations in support of the EU Water Initiative
+ The EU Water Initiative recognises that innovation and better knowledge management is central to the achievement of the water related MDGs
+ Europe is active in this area; international water research maintains a high policy profile at Community and EU Member States level
+/- Wealth of European knowledge but scope for more co-ordination between the various international water research and scientific co-operation programmes
+/- Strategic approaches differ and so does impact: There is a diversity of strategic approaches and forms of international co-operation in water research
+/- Focus in all EU Water Initiative key sectors; but multidisciplinary approaches need to be reinforced

4. Which factors shall influence vulnerability of global water resources to environmental change in 10, 20, years from now..
Security
Environment and
Natural Resources
Economy
Globalisation ? ? ?
Irrespective of the degree of leadership on current or future knowledge, the notion of ‘critical mass’ refers to global capacity and partnerships

5. Objectives and Expected Results of the Research Component
International RTD Cooperation
Objectives and Expected Results of the Research Component
Co-ordination, coherence and complementarity of European efforts to enhance IMPACT of co-operation in water research for Developing Countries
Critical mass and strategic partnerships
Feedback mechanisms for joint research policy and implementation review based on lessons learnt and good practices
Integrated research approaches for strategic water management sectors
Awareness, proactive stakeholders’ participation, development of human resources and better knowledge and innovation management in developing countries
Integrating further and synchronising research with development co-operation efforts
!!!! PERFORMANCE INDICATOR !!!
TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE TRANSFER OF THE CO-ORDINATION PROCESS AT LOCAL LEVEL (REGIONAL AND NATIONAL)
THE RIGHT BOX EXPLAINS WHAT IS THE EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION OF THE RESEARCH COMPONENT TO THE EU WATER INITIATIVE
THE LEFT BOX PROVIDES INDICATION OF FOCAL AREAS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE SCOPE OF THE EU WATER INITIATIVE
European Commission, DG RTD-E5

6. EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA (ERA)
International Research Co-operation 6th Research Framework Programme ( )
EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA (ERA)
Within the 6th FP, International Water Research and Scientific Co-operation can be funded both through Specific Actions in support of International Co-operation (INCO) and Thematic Priorities
Global Budget
International Research
INCO
315 mi EURO
Thematic Priorities
285 mi EURO
Human Resources and Mobility
Training for researchers from Partner countries

7. Indicative topics with relevance to the EU Water Initiative
International Co-operation
Developing Countries; Rational Use of Natural Resources - Ecosystem dynamics - Renewable natural resources; Integrated approach to natural and agro-resource use systems - Multiple Demands on Coastal Zones, Food Security
Mediterranean; Integrated Management of Limited Water Resources - Water Treatment, re-use and energy implications
Western Balkans; Waste water treatment and reuse, treatment of industrial and municipal waste - Use of recycled materials
Russia and other NIS (EECCA); Environment and Health Protection
Thematic Priority Global Change and Ecosystems
Integrated water management at catchment scale; "twinning" partnerships with African and NIS river and transboundary basins.
Integrated urban water management; African, Asian and/or South American mega-cities and peri-urban areas.
Management of water under scarcity; south-Mediterranean countries.
Development of scenarios of water demand and availability at years; SE Mediterranean, Black Sea region and other NIS countries.

8. Climate Change, Surface and Aquifer Hydrology Water Governance, Policy
Integrated water resources management (at its various levels - river basin, transboundary, urban, rural) is an old concept but still applied practice all over the world recognises complexity, current limitations and need for further input from research and scientific co-operation
Programme/Project preparation would need support with regard to state-of-the art knowledge and adaptable good practices within various areas
_____________________________________________________________________________
Climate Change, Surface and
Aquifer Hydrology
Water Governance, Policy
and Institutions
Ecological Management / Pollution
Social Equity
And
Stakeholders Participation
Preparedness for Extreme Events
(Drought and Floods)
Public and Private Sector
Participation
Renewable Resources
and
Energy
Strategic allocation
between uses/users
Irrigation Management, Food Security
….Virtual Water Trade

9. System Design, Management, Maintenance and Strategic Rehabilitation
Similar Issues for Water Supply and Sanitation
_____________________________________________________________________________
System Design, Management,
Maintenance and Strategic
Rehabilitation
Community-based management
Peri-Urban Development
Household Food
and Water Security
Wastewater Treatment
and Reuse (+ decentralized)
Gender Dimensions
Quality Control
Public Health / Education / Hygiene
Water Demand Management,
Econ/Fin Cost, Pricing,
Tariff Structures
Pastoral Areas….
Local Capacity Building, Awareness and Appropriate Technology Implications

10. A recent example…. River Basins and Organisations (RBOs) in river ‘t-winning’ research co-operation
EUROPE: Spain (Guadalentin River Basin) , UK (Thames), Sweden (Norrstrom), Germany (Neckar), Austria (Mur) and various RBOs in France, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Hungary
AFRICA: Namibia (Kuiseb Catchment), South Africa (Western Namaqualand), Botswana (Okavango), Benin (Queme), RBOs in Niger and Senegal
MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES: RBOs in Algeria, Morocco, Israel (Nahal Zin Catchment - Negev Desert)
EECCA Countries:
Uzbekistan
(Chirchik/Upper Syrdaria), Kazakhstan (Nura)
LATIN AMERICA: Chile (Bio Bio) and RBOs from Mexico and Brasil
SE ASIA: RBOs in Indonesia
RIVERTWIN: A regional model for Integrated Water Management in Twinned River Basins
TWINBAS: Twinning European and third countries river basins for development of integrated water resources management methods
WADE: Floodwater Recharge of Alluvial Aquifers in Dryland Environments
TWINBASINXN: Promoting Twinning of River Basins for Developing Integrated Water Resources Management Practices

11. …and some issues for your consideration…
Past and on-going research has a lot to offer in the short and medium term efforts towards the preparation of IWRM plans and improved WatSan approaches
There is a multiple of sources of useful knowledge: EC Framework Programmes, EU Member States bilateral/multilateral programmes and private sector
Relevant RTD ‘awareness’ exists in developing countries
Development planners should consider existing research results during their work; researchers should embrace such challenging invitation by providing support suitable to the planning context; policy makers should facilitate this process
The capitalization of added value from innovation and better knowledge management requires a continuous feedback between research and development co-operation
Reinforcement of local structures of knowledge generation and management are essential for sustainable development based on local capacity

12. International RTD Cooperation
A newsletter - Water and Soil Times
Edited by the Unit DG RTD.I.3
‘Water Cycle and Soil Related Issues’
Information on:
Projects
Call for Proposals
Events, International Fora, Policy related research..
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European Commission, DG RTD-E5