MED researcher co-organises national consultation for the European Water4All partnership

The University of Évora, through MED researcher Ana Mendes, co-organised a national consultation on the Research and Innovation Strategy of the European Water4All partnership, which took place in May at the Climate Agency’s premises in Lisbon.

The initiative, held in collaboration with the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), brought together researchers, universities, public bodies, companies from the water sector and experts from various fields, promoting an open and collaborative debate on the future of water in Portugal.

The opening session featured presentations by Luís Vieira – Member of the Board of Directors of the Climate Agency, Germana Santos – FCT’s Water4All National Contact Point, and António Candeias – Rector of the University of Évora.

The European Water4All partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between countries, the scientific community, businesses and policy-makers, promoting innovative solutions to ensure water security and more sustainable water management for future generations.

Throughout the meeting, participants discussed topics such as sustainable water management, the protection of ecosystems, the circular economy and the modernisation of water infrastructure, contributing to the development of a national vision aligned with European priorities. The importance of strengthening collaboration between institutions, researchers, companies and public bodies was also highlighted, and was mentioned the possibility of creating a national discussion group dedicated to defining research and innovation priorities for water in Portugal.

For Ana Mendes, a researcher at MED at the University of Évora and one of the organisers of the initiative, “it is essential to create a permanent space for dialogue and cooperation that allows scientific knowledge, local needs and public policies to be aligned, thereby strengthening a national vision for the future of water”.

Text adapted from a press release by the Climate Agency.