It was established to help Europe respond to some of its most urgent water-related challenges, including water scarcity, droughts, floods, degradation of marine and freshwater ecosystems, and the transition towards a circular and blue economy.

By connecting education, research, business and public institutions, EIT Water will support the development of a strong European innovation ecosystem. Its activities will focus on entrepreneurial education, startup creation and acceleration, innovation-driven research, and the development of practical solutions for the protection and sustainable use of water, the sea and coastal areas.

EIT Water brings together 50 founding partners from 24 European countries and will operate through eight Co-Location Centres across Europe, providing access to EIT services, knowledge, networks and opportunities for innovators, students, entrepreneurs, companies and public-sector organisations.

The project will receive startup funding through 2026 to establish its governance, operations and first business plan, with full operations planned from 2027.

Why EIT Water matters?

Water is one of Europe’s most critical resources. Rivers, lakes, seas and coastal areas are essential for health, food production, energy, biodiversity, tourism, transport and economic resilience.

At the same time, Europe is facing growing pressure from climate change, pollution, ecosystem degradation, water scarcity and extreme weather events. These challenges cannot be solved by one sector alone.

EIT Water responds by creating a European platform where science, innovation, entrepreneurship and public policy work together. Its goal is to turn research and expertise into solutions that can be tested, scaled and used in real environments.

By 2033, EIT Water aims to support the development of new innovations, startups and scale-ups, while helping to avoid significant economic losses caused by ecosystem degradation.

Where will EIT Water be based?

EIT Water will establish eight local offices, known as Co-Location Centres (CLCs) providing access to its services and the EIT’s Europe-wide network for innovators, students, and entrepreneurs. The CLCs will be located in:

• HQ - CLC North: Aarhus, Denmark
• CLC United Kingdom and Ireland: Leeds, United Kingdom
• CLC Central and Baltic: Berlin, Germany
• CLC West: Antwerp, Belgium
• CLC Central and Danube: Vienna, Austria
• CLC South: Sibenik, Croatia
• CLC Iberian Peninsula: Malaga, Spain
• CLC Black Sea: Varna, Bulgaria

Who are the founding partners?

EIT Water will bring together 50 partners from across Europe.

Austria

• TIWAG-Tiroler Wasserkraft
• BOKU University
• Vienna University of Technology

Belgium

• Aquafin
• Blue Cluster
• Jan De Nul Group
• North Sea Port Flanders

Bulgaria

• Marine Cluster Bulgaria
• Tech Tour Global

Croatia

• Digital Innovation HUB Innovamare
• Ruder Bošković Institute

Cyprus

• Limassol District Local Government Organisation

Czech Republic

• BIOEAST HUB CZ

Denmark

• Aarhus University
• Danfoss Power Electronics
• Grundfos Holding
• UNICEF Denmark
• Water Valley Denmark

Estonia

• University of Tartu

Finland

• University of Helsinki

France

• French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment
• Toulon Var Technologies

Germany

• BRYCK
• RWE Offshore Wind
• Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (DECHEMA)
• SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth

Greece

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Igoumenitsa Port Authority
• Region of Central Macedonia

Hungary

• MAHART-Freeport

Ireland

• University College Dublin

Italy

• Second Degree Irrigation Consortium for the Emilia Romagna Canal (CER)
• International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM)

Netherlands

• Deltares
• Wageningen University

Norway

• Akvaplan-niva

Poland

• Elbląg Seaport Authority
• Warsaw University of Life Sciences

Portugal

• University of Coimbra

Spain

• FCC Aqualia
• Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA)
• Navantia
• Port Authority of Vigo
• Ricardo Valle Innovation Institute Foundation

Sweden

• Stockholm International Water Institute

Türkiye

• Entertech Istanbul Teknokent

Ukraine

• National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

United Kingdom

• The James Hutton Institute
• PepsiCo
• University of Leeds
• 247 innovations will be marketed by 2033;
• 58 startups will be created through innovation activities;
• 26 created startups will reach sales revenues of at least €10 000;
• 126 marketed innovations will be launched and reach sales revenues of at least €10 000;
• 1 380 startups and scale-ups will be supported;
• €1.2 billion in economic losses resulting from ecosystem degradation will be avoided.

What will EIT Water achieve?

CLC South: Croatia’s regional role in EIT Water

CLC South is the EIT Water Co-Location Centre for the Adriatic-Ionian and Mediterranean regions. It is coordinated by the Ruđer Bošković Institute and DIH Innovamare.

Through CLC South, Croatia is taking on a leading regional role in connecting science, industry, public institutions, cities, regions and innovation actors in the field of water, marine and maritime technologies.

The centre covers 10 countries: Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Malta, Cyprus and North Macedonia. Its role is to bring the EIT Water ecosystem closer to regional stakeholders and to support the development, testing and implementation of solutions adapted to the needs of the Adriatic-Ionian and Mediterranean area.

CLC South is planned as a platform for cooperation, pilot projects, technology transfer, education and innovation. It will support solutions for challenges such as water scarcity, marine ecosystem degradation, floods, droughts, biodiversity loss and sustainable development of the blue economy.

A living laboratory for the Adriatic-Ionian region

CLC South will act as a regional living laboratory, connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, companies, public institutions and local communities.

Its focus will be on practical, science-based solutions with real-world application, including:

• smart sensors and digital systems for monitoring water and sea quality;
• AI, IoT and advanced technologies for environmental monitoring;
• digital management of coastal and maritime infrastructure;
• innovative solutions for tourism, aquaculture and the circular economy;
• pilot projects that can be tested locally and scaled across Europe;
• support for startups, SMEs and innovation-driven companies;
• education and training for young researchers, students and professionals.

The role of the Ruđer Bošković Institute

The Ruđer Bošković Institute is one of the coordinators of CLC South and one of the initiators and coordinators of the Innovamare network.

RBI brings scientific excellence, research infrastructure and multidisciplinary expertise in marine biology, chemistry, ecology, environmental research and advanced technologies. Through its Division for Marine and Environmental Research, the Martinska station and the Center for Marine Research in Rovinj, the Institute has a strong foundation for research and innovation in marine and environmental sciences.

With research vessels, laboratories, model organism facilities and multidisciplinary scientific teams, RBI will help ensure that innovations developed through CLC South are scientifically grounded, relevant for real environmental challenges and ready for practical application.

What CLC South brings to Croatia and the region

CLC South represents a strategic opportunity for Croatia and the wider Adriatic-Ionian region.

It will strengthen the protection and restoration of the sea, rivers, lakes and coastal ecosystems, while supporting the development of new technologies, high-value jobs and innovation-driven companies.

For researchers and students, it opens access to European education and innovation networks. For startups and SMEs, it offers opportunities to develop, test and commercialise new solutions. For cities, counties and public institutions, it provides access to expertise, partnerships and EU funding opportunities that can support climate resilience and sustainable development.

Through CLC South, Croatia is moving from participation in European innovation initiatives to a position of regional leadership in water, marine and maritime innovation.

Partners

CLC South brings together partners from science, business, the innovation ecosystem and the public sector.

Scientific and academic partners

Ruđer Bošković Institute, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Croatian Hydrographic Institute, University of Zadar, University of Dubrovnik, Faculty of Maritime Studies Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies Split and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Business and innovation partners

Cromaris d.d., Tankerska plovidba d.d., DIH Innovamare, Marinn, Zelena Energija d.o.o., Smart Water d.o.o., Sea Cras d.o.o., Shellfish Producers of Zadar County, Hermosan d.o.o. from Montenegro and Unioncamere del Veneto from Italy.

Public-sector partners

City of Zadar, Zadar County, Municipality of Bar in Montenegro and the Region of Crete in Greece.

A strategic step forward

EIT Water and CLC South mark a new phase for Croatia’s science and innovation system.

By coordinating the regional centre for the Adriatic-Ionian and Mediterranean region, Croatia gains direct access to European tools, knowledge, partnerships and funding, while helping shape solutions for some of the most important environmental and economic challenges of the future.

For a country whose identity, economy and communities are deeply connected to water and the sea, this is a strategic opportunity to build a new generation of sustainable technologies, strengthen cooperation between science and industry, and support more resilient coastal and local communities.