The WATERLINE project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe, recently concluded its highly successful Innovation Capacity Building Summer School at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. The event, which took place from 29 August to 4 September 2023, brought together a consortium of ten beneficiaries and five associated partners from 11 European countries.

WATERLINE aims to create a European Digital Water Higher Education Institution Alliance, based on the quadruple helix model of innovation. Through this project, the consortium partners aim to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of water innovation across Europe.

The Innovation Capacity Building Summer School served as a platform for participants to exchange ideas, build competencies, and develop innovative approaches to address pressing water challenges. The program featured a range of interactive sessions, workshops, and lectures conducted by leading experts in the field of water management and innovation.

SiTeS is delighted with the success of the Innovation Capacity Building Summer School,” said [Leonardo piccinetti], the CEO OF SiTeS “This event has provided an excellent opportunity for participants to enhance their skills and knowledge in water innovation while fostering collaboration among the consortium partners.”

The summer school emphasized the importance of the quadruple helix model, which encourages collaboration between academia, industry, government, and civil society to drive innovation. Participants engaged in lively discussions and practical exercises that promoted an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to address the complex challenges facing the water sector.

WATERLINE is a three-year-long project that seeks to establish a stronger European network of higher education institutions specializing in water. By fostering cooperation, the project aims to drive impactful research, strengthen educational programs, and facilitate knowledge transfer in the field of water management.

The WATERLINE project is funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe HORIZON-WIDERA-2021 program. For further information about the project and its achievements, visit the official project website

About WATERLINE:
The WATERLINE project is a European initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. It seeks to establish a European Digital Water Higher Education Institution Alliance based on the quadruple helix model of innovation. The project aims to foster collaboration, enhance research capacities, and drive innovation in the field of water management across Europe.

SiTeS Role in Waterline Project

SiTeS activities in WATERLINE are related to the WP2 as Task leader for T2.1 Ecosystems mapping and innovation ecosystems and WP5 as Task leader for T5.4 Policy Guidelines and recommendations.