Launch of European Knowledge and Innovation Community for Water

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is launching a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) in the field of water. This new KIC aims to strengthen Europe’s water, marine, and maritime sectors and ecosystems over the next fifteen years.

Proposals for EIT Water can be submitted until June 17. “For the launch of EIT Water in 2026, €5 million are available. After that, an annual subsidy of between €20 million and €35 million can be expected, however all subsidy amounts are performance-based and depend on the funding decisions of the EIT Governing Board. Historically, KICs receive approximately €500 million to €700 million over their 15-year lifecycle. A significant portion of this budget comes from public and private funding sources. The actual EIT budget beyond 2027 will depend on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework,” explains EIT Director Martin Kern.

Enhance Europe’s innovation capacity

He continues: “Once the new KIC is launched, we will issue calls for innovators, researchers, and students in the field of water. The number of start-ups that will receive support is not predetermined. To date, our KICs have supported more than 10,000 start-ups and hundreds of thousands of innovators. All calls will be open and comply with the Horizon Europe’s guidelines.” The EIT was established fifteen years ago to enhance Europe’s innovation capacity. The program has since given a boost to innovations in numerous sectors, such as the food industry, sustainable energy, raw materials, manufacturing, and digitalization. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology, headquartered in Budapest, brings together business, education, and research.

Innovations in the blue economy lagging behind

In 2026 EIT Water will be added because innovation growth in the blue economy is lagging behind. Kern: “Through this KIC, we will help scale up technological innovations. For proposal submitters, it is important that they align well with the mission of EIT Water, that they are willing to invest themselves, and that there is regional collaboration.” Kern adds that entities initially not part of a consortium can join later. He also suggests involving Member States in the applications. “We must ensure that we join forces.” The EIT Director emphasizes that Europe has a great need for data to improve knowledge of water, marine, and maritime ecosystems. “Monitoring technology is therefore highly promising.”

Enhancing Europe’s competitiveness

“We need new tools. Without data, we cannot formulate policies. That is crucial. Europe can play a leading role in clean technologies. Water efficiency is key to competitiveness,” said Pietro Francesco de Lotto, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Industrial Change and coordinator of the EU Blue Deal initiative at the European Economic and Social Committee, during the information session on March 7 in Brussels. “EIT Water must strengthen the blue economy and Europe’s competitiveness.” Consortia submitting proposals should focus on solutions for water scarcity, droughts, floods, the degradation of marine and freshwater ecosystems, and the circular economy and sustainable blue growth.

Financial Sustainability Mechanism

The Financial Sustainability Mechanism (FSM) is a funding model used by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) to ensure the financial independence and sustainability of Knowledge and Innovation Communities. Kern: “The EIT aims for communities to become less reliant on public subsidies over time and to develop their own revenue streams. This can be achieved through various means, such as royalties and repayments, equity stakes in start-ups and companies, licensing revenues, offering services and consultancy, and collaborations with private and public investors. The EIT initially funds KICs with subsidies but expects them to operate financially independently after a certain period (15 years). This prevents continued reliance on EU funds and ensures that successful innovations and ecosystems continue to exist even after EIT funding ends.”

B2B platform

Entities wishing to join a consortium can register on the EIT networking platform to connect with others. They can join existing consortia and participate in new ones.

The B2B platform for EIT Water is available until June 17, via the EIT Water B2B Platform