Cofunded by the European Union

Water4All’s 2022 Joint Transnational Call sought to deliver knowledge, models, approaches, tools and methodologies to better understand hydrological processes at different scales and to respond more efficiently to emerging water issues related to extreme events.  

The Call also addressed innovative governance models, and enhanced participation of stakeholders, communities and society at large in water management issues related to extreme events.  

The increase in the number of hydrological extreme events in the last few decades has motivated the research community to investigate their spatial variability and underlying processes. Evidence suggests that to properly support water management and tackle future and emerging challenges, it is necessary to make progress in understanding the spatiotemporal complex systems that drive hydrological events.  

Today the series of portray of the 27 excellent R&D  projects selected for funding continues. An introduction to the three following projects: GREEENADATP2EXTREMES, GROUNDEXTREMES and INTERLAYER.  

GREENADAPT2EXTREMES project/ Coordinator: Michael HAGENLOCHER 

The GreenAdapt2Extremes research project is focused on “green adaptation pathways for resilient basin futures under increasing extreme floods and droughts” 

The general objectives of this project are:  

1 - Co-creating transformative adaptation pathways based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS). It will focus on the catchments of three highly flood and drought-prone tributary rivers:  the Dora Baltea (Italy),  the Geul (Netherlands), the Erft (Germany).

2 - The project will centre on the involvement of stakeholders in all activities: 

  • Co-creation of “visions for resilient basin futures” (main activity) where stakeholders can express their ambitions, needs, values and preferences for desirable future(s). 
  • The main activity will form the basis for subsequent activities. 

3 - The project  is deployed within a transdisciplinary setting at the catchment scale, building on an analysis of: 

  • Current and future drought and flood risks, and  
  • The co-benefits, potential, limits and social acceptability of NbS 

Link to the Water4All project webpage GREENADAPT2EXTREMES 

 

GROUNDEXTREMES project/ Coordinator: Anne VAN LOON

The GroundExtremes research project is focused on “understanding and governing groundwater to reduce risk of hydrological extremes” 

The general objectives of this project are:  

Knowledge exchange and transferability concepts. It is organised along two axes: 

 1 - three work types 

  • analyses physical groundwater drought processes and drivers such as climate, land use 
  • investigates drought management and groundwater governance and maps 
  • studies adaptation measures using a socio-hydrological model 

2 - four case studies to be explored:  Groundwater hydrological behaviour & adaptation strategies in 4 European regions with different physical, societal & water governance contexts. These regions are:  

  • Tierra de Barros aquifer (Spain),  
  • Dijle and Nete catchments (Belgium),  
  • Overijssel and Achterhoek (Netherlands), 
  • Kalmar County (Sweden). 

Link to the Water4All project webpage GROUNDEXTREMES

 

INTERLAYER project/ Coordinator: Miguel POTES 

The Interlayer research project is focused on “The complex interlink of safeguarding water availability and quality to mitigate and adapt to hydroclimatic extremes in Europe” 

The general objectives of this project are: 

  • develop cumulative adaptation strategies in the complex interlink between surface and groundwater management,  
  • using water retention measures to reduce water runoff 
  • fill-up groundwater storages, to minimise hydroclimatic extreme events’ impacts in water quantity and quality. 

 INTERLAYER will tackle eight specific objectives, among which: 

  • Address knowledge gaps on how surface water and groundwater interrelate when extreme events in four watersheds 
  • Develop a decision support tool to adopt best practices that have additive results in water quantity and quality retention. 
  • develop and make use of near real time monitoring and modelling tools 
  • Develop a living lab in one of the driest Transboundary (PT/SP) Watersheds in Europe... 

Link to the Water4All project webpage INTERLAYER

Other news

See all news

The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.