Presentation hold during EIP Water Conference in Porto, as part of the Porto Water Innovation Week in Session 4 “Developing water innovation with R&D centres, innovation hubs and accelerators”

1. WATER INNOVATION: BRIDGING GAPS,
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
27 AND 28 SEPTEMBER 2017
ALFÂNDEGA PORTO CONGRESS CENTRE
DEVELOPING WATER INNOVATION WITH R&D CENTRES,
INNOVATION HUBS AND ACCELERATORS
JAMIE MELO BAPTISTA
PRINCIPAL RESEARCH OFFICER, LNEC

2. This project has received funding from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
under grant agreement No 763562

3. Water innovation: bridging gaps,
creating opportunities
 Water is a top priority of mankind included in the
United Nations agenda 2016-2030 (SDG Goal 6).
 Water is a crosscutting issue to all (Goal 6+)!
 This new integrated water vision involves all the
challenges, what requests for innovation.
 The objective is that a common vision of the water
challenges and actions are adopted by countries.

4.  We need to assist countries to face the water-related
challenges on:
• Public policies.
• Regulation.
• Management.
 What does this means?
• Strategic planning.
• Legal framework.
• Institutional framework.
• Governance service models.
• Access and quality of service.
• Tariff and tax policy.
Water innovation: bridging gaps,
creating opportunities

5. • Financial resources.
• Technology, construction and rehabilitation.
• Operational efficiency.
• Human resources training.
• Research and innovation.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Competition introduction.
• Consumers protection.
• Social engagement.
• Ethics and integrity.
• Data, information and knowledge.
 A holistic and multidisciplinary approach is needed.
 A joint academic and hands-on approach is needed.
Water innovation: bridging gaps,
creating opportunities

6.  To achieve this vision we need:
• Research & innovation;
• Think tank and strategic advice, to
support to the policy makers;
• Education, training & capacity building,
to support administration, utilities, etc.;
• Business support, incubation &
acceleration of start-ups, to support to
the industry;
• Social engagement, to support to the
society in large.
Business
as usual?
No!
Water innovation: bridging gaps,
creating opportunities

7. Research
&
Innovation
Think tank and
strategic
advice to
support to the
policy makers
Social
engagement e
support to the
society in large
Business
support,
incubation &
acceleration of
start-ups to
support to the
industry
Education,
training &
capacity
building to
support to the
water
professionals
We need …
… more inclusive
initiatives,
partnerships and
complementarity!
Let´s do it!
… more water
innovation,
bridging gaps,
creating
opportunities!
Water innovation: bridging gaps,
creating opportunities
This is a relevant
component of our
public policy.

8. … and +40 other well recognised
Portuguese and non-Portuguese
organisations, including ...