NOVIWAM

Project full title:
Novel Integrated Water Management Systems for SouthernEuropean Regions

Project summary:
Most countries in European Union are suffering severe water scarcity caused by a negative balance betweenwater resources and water demands. Therefore, the sustainable management of hydrological resourcesresults totally necessary, as it is established by the European Water Framework Directive (60/2000/EC),which makes compulsory for every water management authority in EU to prepare a river basin managementplan no later than the end of this year 2009.In order to fulfil these obligations and considering the complexity of water bodies control and the undefinedfuture scenario provided by climate change, there is an imperative demand of the use of integratedmanagement tools and methods, such as computerized models.Thus, integrated Water Resources Management must be faced from a multisectorial point of view, involvingpure scientific research, social and economic aspects and administrative proceedings.

The NOVIWAM project will tackle these challenges by synthesizing the different perspectives of research institutions,authorities and entrepreneurs, introducing them into the promotion of multilevel and interregional cooperationbetween research-driven clusters in the field of Integrated River Basin Management tools. Basedon several top level research results in water management and leaded by a consolidated cluster with the keyregional authority with exclusive competences on a major European river, the project will establish aSouthern European network to strengthen synergies between regional, national and EU initiativesNovel Integrated Water Management Systems for Southern European Regions - NOVIWAM4 addressing the Integrated Management RTD and innovation challenges. Besides, the network will allow theparticipating regions to reach sufficient critical mass to acquire and develop international visibility.

NOVIWAM aims to establish long-lasting links between clusters throughout the regions, and allow the triplehelixcomponents to benefit from the scale economies deriving from this multilevel and interregional cooperation.In addition, NOVIWAM will foster the expansion of a wider European research-driven network ofclusters in the sector.Mentoring activities are strongly considered, as specific needs of clusters from a candidate country (Albania)and with insularity problems (Cyprus), have been included. Their underdeveloped water managementstrategies are expected to be strongly improved as a result of the transfer of experiences from Portugal,Spain and France.NOVIWAM will foster a dialogue and reflection process between the participating clusters in order to define aJoint Action Plan (JAP) at European level to drive economic development through research andtechnological development activities.

Project's Website