Erasmus+ - Water Wise: Advancing Water Sustainability in the Green Transition: A European Educational Initiative

Filippo Verre - December 3, 2024

AB AQUA won the European call for proposals Erasmus+ - WaterWise together with three other institutions. The project Advancing Water Sustainability in the Green Transition: A European Educational Initiative aims to address one of the most critical challenges of our time: the responsible and sustainable management of water resources in a context of ecological transition. This issue, crucial for ensuring water security, climate resilience and sustainable development, is central to the goals of the European Green Deal and global strategies to combat climate change.

The other project partners are: Amistades (Italy), Universidad de Almería (Spain) and LOVILA (Cyprus).

The project seeks to develop skills, tools, and innovative models for sustainable water management, actively involving students, educators, researchers, and professionals through a multidisciplinary and transnational approach. Educational and training activities will be designed to integrate theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and advanced technological tools, promoting innovative solutions in water management.

A key element of the project is the creation of a collaborative network among research centers, universities, local authorities, companies, and non-governmental organizations, with the aim of sharing experiences, best practices, and resources. Through this network, the project intends to raise awareness within local communities about the importance of sustainable water management and to promote a culture of sustainability.

The main activities of the project include:

1) the development of innovative educational materials for teaching water management;

2) the implementation of transnational mobility programs for students and teachers within the Erasmus Plus framework;

3) the organization of workshops and laboratories to develop practical solutions, such as the use of green technologies for desalination, wastewater recycling;

4) irrigation optimization; and the conduction of applied research projects on relevant issues such as desertification, the conservation of biodiversity linked to water ecosystems, and the mitigation of climate impacts.

A fundamental aspect of the project is social inclusion, with particular attention to the most vulnerable communities and regions most exposed to water stress. The project aims to provide practical solutions to improve the availability and quality of water while reducing the negative impacts of human activities on ecosystems.

Through a holistic and collaborative approach, the project will contribute to forming a new generation of European citizens who are aware and responsible, capable of addressing water management challenges and leading the transition toward a sustainable future. The project results will be disseminated at the European level to promote the adoption of innovative policies and practices in water management, aligned with the objectives of Erasmus Plus and the European Green Deal.

More details about the project can be found at this link: https://commission.europa.eu/news/waterwiseeu-campaign-transform-how-we-think-about-water-europe-2024-07-11_en.

At this link it is possible to consult the project on the Amistades website: https://www.erasmusplus.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WATERWISE-Poster-AMIStaDeS.pdf.