EIT WATER: a new European community dedicated to water challenges
The environmental, economic and social challenges linked to water in Europe require responses that extend beyond traditional sectoral and national approaches.
To address these issues, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched EIT Water, a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to water, encompassing inland freshwater systems, marine environments and maritime activities.
Published on 06 March 2026
What is a Knowledge and Innovation Community?
To tackle cross-cutting challenges, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology builds on Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Each KIC focuses on a major societal challenge, such as climate, sustainable energy and food. EIT Water is the tenth KIC created by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
KICs offer a European framework for organising collaboration between research, education and innovation, helping to translate knowledge into practical solutions.
What will EIT Water enables?
EIT Water’s activities will focus on three priorities:
- water scarcity, droughts and floods
- marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation
- the development of a circular and sustainable blue economy
The initiative is aligned with EU priorities for a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe, and will deliver concrete actions to:
- support entrepreneurial education and skills development linked to water challenges
- fund and support innovation projects and business creation by bringing together researchers, innovators, educators and industry stakeholders
- give European reach to innovations developed locally, through a network spanning all Member States
INRAE, a core partner in EIT Water
INRAE is a member of the consortium leading EIT Water, within the group of core partners. Its participation helps link INRAE’s water research — which aligns with the priorities identified by EIT Water — with national and European partners.
What water-related research is carried out at INRAE?
Our scientists focus primarily on inland waters and land–sea interfaces (estuaries and coastal areas).
Their research addresses in particular:
- The functioning and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, by analysing their structure, processes and changes over time.
These approaches draw on biology, ecology and ecotoxicology and are conducted across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Or work generates knowledge that supports environmental conservation and restoration, as well as the monitoring of aquatic ecosystems.
- Water resources and related risks (droughts, floods, sediment transport and chemical pollutants)
Our research addresses the quantification of river flows and the processes that determine water quality. Scientists develop models, databases and monitoring observatories for various types of hydrosystems, which can support the development of tools for resource planning and risk management.
- Territorial governance of water and of aquatic socio-eco-hydrosystems. These approaches draw on the social sciences and humanities to analyse social and economic processes. in order to identify the levers for action needed to address water and biodiversity challenges. We develop methodological approaches to better understand and inform water uses and governance in hydro-social territories.
Next steps for 2026
In 2026, the focus will be on the operational deployment of EIT Water. It will be structured around a network of eight Co-Location Centers (CLCs) — hubs organised by major geographical areas and responsible for coordinating activities across multiple countries. France falls under CLC West, based in Antwerp, which also covers the Benelux region.
Upcoming opening to new partners
EIT Water will progressively welcome new partners throughout 2026. Applications must be submitted via the relevant Co-Location Center. As a partner of the consortium, INRAE will be able to support companies and academic institutions interested in joining the initiative.