IHCantabria strengthens International Collaboration at the “One Water” Alliance General Assembly in Brussels

​The One Water Alliance brings together leading companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, research centers, and universities from across Europe to accelerate innovation in the water, marine, and maritime sectors

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The Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria) is participating in the General Assembly of the One Water Alliance (OWA), held on September 17 and 18, 2026, in Brussels—a gathering that has brought together representatives from organizations involved in research, innovation, and industry in the fields of water, the marine environment, and the maritime sector.

The international One Water Alliance promotes an integrated approach to water, based on the connection between inland waters, coasts, oceans, and maritime activities. The alliance stems from the collaboration established among the organizations that worked on preparing the proposal for the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) within the framework of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). As a result of this process, the network is now a stable platform designed to facilitate new partnerships, develop joint initiatives, and explore funding opportunities and collaborative projects in Europe and other regions.

The first day of the assembly featured a presentation by Andreea Strachinescu-Olteanu of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), who discussed the Alliance’s evolution, its main achievements, the growth of its community, and the activities planned for the coming months.

One of the main focuses of the meeting was an analysis of the strategic European funding opportunities planned for 2027, particularly those related to the water, marine, and maritime sectors within the Horizon Europe program. In addition, working sessions were organized to generate project ideas, connect organizations with complementary capabilities, and begin forming future consortia, with specific groups dedicated to the water, marine, and maritime sectors.

The second session focused on education and capacity building, as well as defining the future priorities and sustainability of the One Water Alliance. In addition, efforts were made to foster collaboration among research institutions, companies, startups, and investors to facilitate the introduction of new technologies and solutions into the market and their application in real-world scenarios.

IHCantabria’s participation in this event—attended by Patricia Bueno and Celia Álvaro from the Institute’s European Projects department—reinforces its commitment to international cooperation and the creation of multidisciplinary partnerships to address challenges related to water, the ocean, coastal areas, and maritime activities—an approach that aligns with the One Water vision, which highlights the connection between these systems and promotes collaboration among science, innovation, government agencies, and businesses to drive new initiatives and the development of innovative solutions.