1. Meeting of the Strategic Co-ordination Group SCG for the WFD CIS
Nature-based solutions Water in the context of research funding
European Commission
DG Research and Innovation
Marco Fritz
Panagiotis Balabanis
Meeting of the Strategic Co-ordination Group SCG for the WFD CIS
Brussels, 9 November 2015
All (c) belong to the authors of the used material.

2. Summary
New research agenda for nature-based solutions with strong water context
One product of research agenda are the Horizon 2020 calls for research funding with the water topic mainstreamed throughout the work plan:
Water-related calls on nature-based solutions
Water-related calls in wider circular economy topic
SME calls with Seal of Excellence
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3. Water in the context of Horizon 2020 WP 2016-2017
mainstreamed across the entire Horizon 2020 WP
Within the concept of the systemic approach of SC5, water is addressed in the areas of circular economy, sustainable cities, climate services, territorial resilience, nature-based solutions, etc.
harnessing strong potential for European industry to become global market leader
continuity with Focus Area call on ‘Water Innovation: Boosting its value for Europe’

4. Nature-based solutions
Towards a research agenda for nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions are understood as living solutions that are inspired or supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. This includes water services such as flood prevention and mitigation, or drinking water supply.
To position the EU as leader in nature-based
innovation for sustainable and resilient societies
Using GI, NWRM, EBA in a systemic approach.
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5. History
Towards better environmental options and flood management (2009)
Water blueprint & natural water retention measures (2012)
The EU Adaptation Strategy (2013)
The EU Green Infrastructure Strategy (2013)
Policy document on NWRM (2014)
Towards a research agenda for Nature-based solutions (2014)
Sendai framework for DRR (2015)

6. DG Research and Innovation
Results of funding should:
- Provide evidence about cost-effectiveness of innovative NBS and longer-term social, economic, cultural and ecological benefits;
- Contribute to creation of a global market for these solutions (supporting both supply and demand) - position Europe as world leader in innovation through nature-based solutions;
- Mobilise and leverage new investments to open up new business opportunities;
- Develop, test, demonstrate and upscale functionality of NBS;
- Use a twinning approach: frontrunner and follower cities > community of practice with different stage of experiences.
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7. Horizon 2020 calls on Nature-based solutions (!now open!)
Demonstrating innovative nature- based solutions in cities: NBS for climate and water resilience in cities (SCC )
New governance, business, financing models and economic impact assessment tools for sustainable cities with nature-based solutions (urban re-naturing) (SCC )
Operationalising insurance value of ecosystems (SC )
Multi-stakeholder dialogue platform to promote innovation with nature to address societal challenges (SC )
Large-scale demonstrators on nature-based solutions for hydro-meteorological risk reduction (SC )
Further info on
Project size at least 10 mio. €

8. Water A critical element of the Circular Economy
as a Productive
Input
as a Waste
Stream
as a Resource
In the EU, on average, of the total water abstraction:
44 % is used for agriculture
40 % is used for industry and energy production (cooling in power plants), and
15 % is used for public water supply

9. Water and circular economy topics
Cross-cutting call:
'Industry 2020 in the Circular Economy'
CIRC : Demonstrating the potential of efficient nutrient recovery from water (IA – deadline 8 March 2016 for stage 1 & 6 September 2016 for stage 2)
Total indicative budget for these topics in 2016: € 20M
Recommended EU contribution/project: 6-8 M€
CIRC : Towards the next generation of water systems and services – large scale demonstration projects
(IA – deadline 7 March 2017 for stage 1 & 5 September 2017 for stage 2)
Total indicative budget for these topics in 2017: € 30M
Recommended EU contribution/project: 10 M€

10. Water: 2016 topics Call 'Greening the economy':
SC : Supporting international cooperation activities on water (CSA – deadline 8 March 2016)
SC5-12:2016: Food systems and water resources for the development of inclusive, sustainable and health Euro-Mediterranean societies (CSA – deadline 26 January 2016)
Total indicative budget for these topics in 2016: €4M

11. Other SC5 topics with relevance to water:
SC : Exploring the added value
of climate services
SC : Integrated European regional modelling and climate prediction system
SC : Climate services market research
LCE : Cross-thematic ERA-NET on Applied Geosciences

12. Water-related topics in other calls of Horizon 2020 WP 2016-2017 (some examples):
SPIRE : Systematic approaches for resource-efficient water management systems in process industries
SFS : Dealing with multiple and combined stresses: approaches to improve water and nutrient use efficiency in crop production
SFS : Management of soil water resources in the EU and China and its impact on agro-ecosystem functions
RUR – : WATER FARMS – Improving farming and supply of drinking water
LCE 27 – 2017: Measuring, monitoring and controlling the risks of CCS, EGS and unconventional hydrocarbons in the subsurface
See also SME and Fast Track to Innovation instruments

13. Action: DG Research and Innovation
SME instrument
SMEinst : Boosting the potential of small businesses in the areas and priorities of Societal Challenge 5
helps high-potential SMEs to develop ground-breaking innovative ideas for products, services or processes that are ready to face global market competition
grants for feasibility assessment EUR 50,000 lump sum (70% of the project);
Seal of excellence
grants for innovation development & demonstration purposes EUR 500, ,5 million (70% of the project);
Free-of-charge business coaching to enhance the firm’s innovation capacity and help align the project to strategic business needs;
Access to a wide range of innovation support services and facilitated access to risk finance