SUBMARINER EIT Water – 10th Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC)

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the Allwaters Consortium, led by Aarhus University and Water Valley Denmark with funding from Grundfos Foundation, has been selected by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) to establish EIT Water as its 10th Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC). EIT Water will take an integrated approach across freshwater, marine, and maritime sectors and ecosystems to address Europe’s pressing water-related challenges. By connecting innovators, researchers, and educators within Europe’s largest innovation network, it will drive entrepreneurial education, skills development, innovation, and business creation.

The EIT Water Consortium brings together 50 organisations from 24 countries, including research institutions, universities, industry leaders, ports, NGOs, and innovative SMEs.

SUBMARINER will host the Co-Location Centre for the Central and Baltic region in Berlin. Acting as a regional gateway to EIT Water’s Europe-wide innovation network, the CLC will bring together stakeholders to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and strengthen the region’s water-related ecosystem.

 

“As a member of the European Steering Board, I have been following the development of the EIT Water proposal for over a year. I was pleased that the Consortium built its approach on the knowledge and experience of organisations like ours, which have, for more than a decade, systematically connected innovations relevant to the blue environment and economy. SUBMARINER will not only act as the Co-Location Centre but will continue contributing to the strategic development of EIT Water,” says Angela Schultz-Zehden, SUBMARINER Managing Director and Founding Board Member.

Core Activities and Pillars

 

EIT Water will address three key challenges:

  • Water scarcity, drought and floods;
  • Marine and freshwater ecosystem degradation;
  • The development of a circular and sustainable blue economy.

 

The KIC operates as an open innovation platform, inviting participation from diverse stakeholder groups. Beyond solving technical problems, it delivers education and entrepreneurial programmes to build a skilled workforce prepared for future water management.

Funding and Impact

The EIT will provide the KIC with a startup grant of up to €5 million during its launch phase in 2026, ahead of its full operational start in 2027. EIT Water will operate as an open partnership, enabling all stakeholders in the water sector to participate and benefit from its activities over the 15-year EIT-supported period. The partnership will also attract additional investment from public and private sources.

 

We look forward to working with our EIT Water partners to deliver a water-smart Europe!
More information about EIT Water and the AllWaters Consortium here