EIT Food is leading a multi-annual, multidisciplinary program to address water scarcity in Southern Europe, focusing on sectors from agrifood to manufacturing. The program aims to identify innovative solutions to reduce water consumption, wastage, and pollution, ultimately supporting the transition to a water-saving economy. Key actions include:
• The Body of Knowledge: A collaborative group of experts building knowledge on water scarcity, policy, and financing tools.
• InnoWise Scale: Support for up to 40 scaleups tackling water scarcity through mentoring and training.
• Water Academies: Sector-specific seminars promoting the adoption of water-saving technologies and sharing best practices.
• Outreach Activities: Engaging citizens to become agents of change towards a water-saving economy.
The program is being implemented across multiple European countries.
Under the Project, WE&B successfully developed/delivered the following services:
As a Financial Expert
Selected from over 200 applicants, WE&B’s role involved compiling a comprehensive document detailing new public and private initiatives emerging from the European Green Deal aimed at financing innovations and scale-ups in water-saving and environmental technologies. This included:
• 2021 Collection of Financial Tools: Focusing on grants, bank lending, private equity, and crowdfunding for water-saving and environmental technologies.
• 2022 Collection of Financial Tools: Expanding on the 2021 publication by including financial tools not previously outlined.
• Participation in two workshops to coordinate the work and track progress.
As a Body of Knowledge Expert (Chosen as one of 40 experts in Europe)
• Acting as ambassadors for the program and contributing to public discourse on water scarcity in Southern Europe.
• Participating in at least one event organized by the program.
• Attending the BOK kick-off meeting to network with other experts.
• Potential for selected paid assignments as part of the program, with an equal distribution of expert tasks across the KICs.
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