Port of Barcelona, UPC, Veolia, Esade and IHCantabria to host One Water General Assembly
Representatives of One Water, a cross-European partnership dedicated to addressing urgent water-related challenges
One Water is preparing its application to become the next Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology
One Water, a cross-European partnership dedicated to addressing urgent water-related challenges, held its General Assembly on 3 and 4 February 2025 at the World Trade Center, Port of Barcelona.
One Water is preparing its application to become the next Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. If the application is successful, it will provide the partnership with funding from the EIT to tackle critical issues such as water scarcity, flooding, pollution, biodiversity, and the sustainability of the blue economy. As an aspiring KIC, the partnership seeks to help foster innovation, tailored training and education of critical human resources, as well as economic growth within Europe’s water sector.
“Our mission is to close the loop between the water, marine, and maritime sectors. We believe that by innovating together, we can make water Europe’s new edge on the world stage,” said Nuno Lorenço, coordinator of One Water. “At the end of the day, no matter if it’s fresh or salt, water is one body. This philosophy is the foundation of One Water. We are born with a belief in true interdisciplinarity across sectors and water domains.”
The event featured speeches by Albert Dalmau, Regional Minister for the President’s Office of the Catalan Regional Government (Generalitat), and Jordi Valls, Fourth Deputy Mayor for the Area of Economy, Tax, Economic Promotion and Tourism at Barcelona City Council, in both cases expressing their support for One Water’s candidacy. Dalmau highlighted the commitment of the Government of Catalonia to sustainability, efficient water management and the blue economy, as well as to research and training of talent in these areas. Valls, for his part, pointed out Barcelona’s historical relationship with water and the sea as well as its status as a capital in terms of research, technology and innovation and the existence of an environment among the public sector, academia and business that gives rise to an ecosystem of business creation.
Under Portuguese coordination, the consortium brings together experts and stakeholders from across Europe. The General Assembly meeting in February, hosted by the Spanish consortium partners including the Port of Barcelona, the multinational water management company Veolia, higher education institutions as the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) and Esade business school, and research institutions such as the Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria), along with several other associated partners bringing together resources and expertise, represents a crucial opportunity for members to collaborate and advance their shared goals.
“At IHCantabria, we have been working for years on sustainable water and marine ecosystem management. The mission of One Water perfectly aligns with our vision of integrating science, technology, and public policy to protect and better manage this vital resource”, said Raul Medina, managing director of IHCantabria. “If we want to ensure access to water in the future, we need completely new approaches. Innovation is not an option; it is a necessity. This Water KIC will be key in fostering technologies and strategies that help us live with an increasingly scarce resource.”
“Sustainability, Innovation and the Blue Economy are at the core of Port of Barcelona’s present and future, so it’s an honour to be part of an initiative like One Water, focused on improving the management of water and the marine environment in a forward-thinking and responsible way,” explained José Alberto Carbonell, President of the Port of Barcelona.
“We are excited to host this important event and to facilitate meaningful discussions and collaborations,” said Carlos Montero Ruano, Strategic Projects Director at Veolia. “The challenges we face require a united effort, and this assembly is a testament to our commitment to working together.”
