Africa-EU Innovation Alliance for Water and Climate (AfriAlliance)

Description

The main objective of AfriAlliance is for African and European stakeholders to work together in the areas of water innovation, research, policy, and capacity development to prepare Africa for future Climate Change challenges. The Africa-EU cooperation in this field was taken to practical level by sharing (non)technological innovation for local challenges, thus also identifying and boosting sustainable market and investment opportunities. The Demand-driven, problem-focused Action Groups shared knowledge between the identified stakeholders and networks at all scales to effectively identify and address vulnerabilities. The project made use of the extensive existing/ emerging communication channels and events (EU/African platforms, conferences, social media) to streamline Climate Change issues into water-related networks to raise awareness about their impacts and propose adaptation measures. Water and Climate Change research was re-enforced and valorised between Africa and Europe by providing a mix of forward-looking and bottom- up innovation and road mapping techniques. Demands, opportunities, and constraints at different levels were identified and strategic advice (short term demand-driven R&I outlook and long term R&I agenda) for improving Africa-EU collaboration was developed. The project aided policy makers to create a consistent approach to bilateral cooperation between Africa and the EU in the field of innovation for water and climate.

Activities:

• Demand-driven Action Groups
• Identifying and matching social innovation and research needs
• Enhancing Knowledge Sharing and Technology Transfer
• Improving Monitoring and Forecasting of Water and Climate Challenges Dissemination and Outreach