The 6th session of Widening Impacts was held on May 23, offering valuable insights into WATERWISE and introducing the WaterWise Excellence Hub—its origins, objectives, and key milestones. The session also provided an overview of recent EU policy developments promoting a circular water economy, including the Water Reuse Regulation, the revised Urban Waste Water Directive, and the upcoming Water Resilience Strategy. It clearly positioned WaterWise within this evolving policy landscape.
Water scarcity is an increasingly urgent issue in South-East Europe, with 30% of Europeans facing water stress each year. Although solutions for water reuse and resource recovery already exist, their adoption remains limited due to fragmented collaboration, outdated infrastructure, high upfront costs, regulatory barriers, and public health concerns.
The WaterWise Excellence Hub addresses these challenges by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, utilities, public authorities, and civil society to implement proven circular water concepts across Romania, Greece, the Western Balkans, and Eastern Partnership countries.
WaterWise is a dynamic, action-oriented initiative that promotes research and innovation (R&I), business development, and knowledge sharing within the circular water economy. It champions regenerative water management based on circular principles, closed-loop systems, and efficient resource use.
Built on a quadruple helix model of innovation, the Hub co-develops a suite of strategic tools and programs, including an R&I Strategy, Investment Plan, Innovation Accelerator, FundFinder Portal, lifelong learning courses, and Mentoring Schemes. Powered by a robust cross-sectoral partnership, WaterWise is designed for long-term impact and sustainability, in alignment with EU policies and RIS3 strategies.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/waterwise-hub
Project Website: https://waterwisehub.eu/
WATERWISE webinar on Widening Impacts’ YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXNQcoCjgE
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Webpage : Widening Impacts
