The Joint kick-off meeting of "Water Innovation in Action" projects took place on the 24th January 2014 at the CHARLEMAGNE building in Brussels. It was organized by the European Commission DG Research & Innovation which launched last year a call for project that resulted in approving funding for 11 new projects aiming at promoting innovative solutions for water-related challenges. The projects, which involve the collaboration of 179 partners from research organizations and private companies (more than 70 partners are SMEs), will lead to the effective implementation of European directives and policies while creating market opportunities for European industry and SMEs. Furthermore, they will contribute to the aims of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Water. The €50 million funds are included in the 2013 Environment call of the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) and will involve partners from 19 European countries. The meeting was very successful, and the attendance exceptional, exceeding organizers estimations. It was also an occasion to discuss the key challenges of the water-related initiatives at the European and International level and explore the possibilities offered by the leverage of different funding instruments (Horizon 2020, structural funds, etc.). Following the discussion that took place in Brussels, in the coming months a follow up will be organized and the organizers will monitor the opportunities of coordinating other joint actions. Finally, the projects representatives were asked to keep the Commission updated on the dissemination events they expect to organize in the framework of their projects.

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