The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the H2020 Piano Project.

Abstract

The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the H2020 PIANO project is conceived to be a forward-looking document that sets out the direction of future collaborative EU-China research and innovation activities in the water sector with a special attention to the thematic areas identified and focused by the PIANO project: agricultural, municipal, industrial water management, river basin management, water for energy. This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) builds on strategic agendas of European and international actors in water management and internal and external consultations among experts and relevant stakeholders of both areas of cooperation. The SRIA elaborated by the PIANO project partners aims to support the activities of the China-Europe Water Platform in its research pillar being the reference document for the implementation of further initiatives of joint international cooperation between Europe and China in water innovation, a sector which offers increasing opportunities to all interested actors, in particular European small and medium enterprises able to produce advanced technological solutions. Researchers, governmental agencies, innovative enterprises and private stakeholders should combine synergies to strengthen innovation capacity and promote social and economic cooperation in both areas of the world. The PIANO SRIA identifies needs and priorities in the EU-China cooperation in water innovation. It also highlights the main opportunities for the development of further collaborative actions engaging public and private partnerships based on the sharing of knowledge and good practices. In this way strategic long-term agreements involving multi-stakeholders in research and innovation applied to water management will be fostered. Moreover, the PIANO SRIA intends to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations‘ Sustainable Development Goals