On March 17th WATERLINE was presented in the Working Group Human Capital as one of the Best Practices to support employability within the Water Sector. Maria Lima-Toivanen, of SITES presented the WATERLINE preliminary results related to an ongoing desk research study related to local sectoral strategies and policies to foster innovations, business, and growth in the digital water sector, the formulation of these strategies following the methodology of the smart specialisation strategies for sustainability.
Water Europe is a non-profit organization that brings together water-related sectors, including industries, academia, and policy-makers, to collaborate on addressing the water challenges facing Europe. The organization is based in Brussels and has over 200 member organizations from across Europe.
Water Europe’s mission is to promote the sustainable use of water resources, promote innovation and research in the water sector, and ensure that European water policies and strategies are implemented effectively. The organization provides a platform for its members to share ideas, best practices, and information on water-related issues. It also plays a key role in advocating for policy changes to improve the sustainability of
European water resources.
One of Water Europe’s main initiatives is the Water Vision for Europe, which outlines a comprehensive strategy for a water-smart society in Europe. The Water Vision for Europe calls for the adoption of a systemic approach to water management that involves all sectors and stakeholders in a collaborative effort to ensure the sustainable use of water resources.
Overall, Water Europe serves as a catalyst for water-related research, innovation, and collaboration in Europe, helping to ensure that European water policy and management are effective, sustainable, and meet the needs of both current and future generations.
The Water Europe Human Capital Working Group is a group dedicated to addressing the challenges related to human capital development in the European water sector. This group is composed of representatives from various water-related industries, academic institutions, and research organizations, and focuses on fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among its members.
The group’s main objectives are to:
1. Develop a common understanding of the skills and competencies needed to address the challenges facing the European water sector.
2. Identify gaps in current training and education programs in the water sector and develop recommendations for improvement.
3. Promote the development of innovative water-related training and education programs.
4. Foster collaboration between industry, academia, and research organizations to develop solutions for human capital challenges in the water sector.
To achieve these objectives, the working group conducts regular meetings, workshops, and webinars to discuss best practices, share experiences and insights, and identify areas where collaboration is needed. The group also works closely with policy-makers to advise and inform them on matters related to human capital and workforce development in the water sector.
There is a growing need for qualified professionals in the water sector, and the Water Europe Human Capital Working Group is playing an important role in building the necessary human capital infrastructure to address the challenges facing the European water landscape.
One of Water Europe’s key reports on digital water is the "Digital Water Report," which provides an overview of the state of digitalization in the water sector and identifies key challenges and opportunities. The report highlights the need for greater collaboration and integration across the water sector value chain, as well as the importance of data-driven decision-making and the adoption of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things.
The pandemic has accentuated the digital skills gap that already existed, and new inequalities are emerging as many people do not have the required level of digital skills or are in workplaces or schools lagging in digitalisation. The new curricula must include modern approaches to teaching and learning, such as curiosity-driven education, collaborative mentoring and remote co-supervision, and utilize digital tools for group creativity and promoting virtual mobility.
Want to know more? Consult the WATERLINE Newsletter here: https://www.waterline-project.eu/index.php/news-events/newsletter
