WP’s 2 main objective is to create critical mass through a shared governance framework and R&I capacity building plan. The specific objectives of WP2 are:

• O2.1 To better understand societal, industry and research needs related to digital water and to identify the institutional, legal, and financial barriers and opportunities to improve governance of the Digital Water HEI Alliance.

• O2.2 To support the consolidation of the Digital Water HEI Alliance through the development of a common governance framework, supporting digital water education to raise the excellence profile of the HEIs, as well as the excellence profile of their staff.

• O2.3 To create an R&I capacity building plan into digital water that facilitates the flow of knowledge through exchange of practices, knowledge and expertise in a) water domains and b) technologies and solutions applied to extended reality.

Task 2.1 State-of-the-art: Identifying LEs and partnership barriers and opportunities (UNI)Task 2.2 Ecosystems mapping and innovation ecosystems (SITES)</h4>Task 2.3 Co-creation of the WATERLINE governance framework (MENDELU)Task 2.4 WATERLINE R&amp;I capacity building plan (UNEXE)

This work package’s main objective is to enhance innovation ecosystems capacity by reinforcing cooperation between R&I and business sectors. The specific objectives of WP3 are:

• O3.1 Strengthen capacity building of partner HEIs through the creation of innovative and state-of-the-art Smart Water curricula,

• O3.2 Implement the scientific strategy of the project focusing on human capital development,

• O3.3 Incentivise entrepreneurial mindset amongst researchers.

Task 3.1 Co-creation components of a common curriculum focusing on water technology, water resources and water systems, as well as relevant transversal skills and research elements (DEU-DESUM)

Task 3.2 Capacity building to enhance research, education and experience (NMBU)

Task 3.3 Mainstreaming entrepreneurial mindset of researchers (MCAST)

Objectives WP’s 4 main objective is to cultivate the technical and innovation capacity of future water scientists and engineers. To achieve this, WP4 will embed novel technologies in the LEs to enable seamless knowledge transfer and skills training in the context of WATERLINE. Specific objectives of WP4 include:

• O4.1 establish a framework for the technology transfer between partners and within partner centres, focusing on building and disseminating knowledge on educational technologies that relate to extended reality,

• O4.2 transit to knowledge- and digitally driven HEIs through the development of the extended reality tools, skills and solutions in order to support the transformation of the project’s three-tier extended reality LEs,

• O4.3 enhance the technological capacity of the partner HEIs institutions.

Task 4.1 Technology and knowledge transfer framework development (UNEXE)

Task 4.2 Transformation of the three-tier LEs (MCAST)

Task 4.3 Innovation capacity building &amp; train the trainers related to the LEs (UNEXE)

Task 4.4 Pilot implementation and evaluation of the alliance experience and regional innovation communities of practice (TUAS)

The overall objective of WP5 is to facilitate continued utilization of the WATERLINE’s outputs after its completion. The specific objective of WP5 includes:

• O5.1 Sustaining the network of WATERLINE’s HEIs by facilitating sufficient involvement of stakeholders, embedding the project in larger research initiatives, securing future financing of joint research, communicating the results, and transferring the knowledge and skills produced during the project.

Task 5.1 Matching sources of potential European funding with priorities of the consortium (NMBU)

Task 5.2 Policy exploitation guideline recommendations (TUAS)

Task 5.3 WATERLINE ambassador networks (UNEXE)

WP6 aims to ensure adequate C&amp;D of the project results towards its target groups. It will:

• O6.1 develop and implement a dissemination and communication plan,

• O6.2 capitalize on existing dissemination channels and networks to raise awareness about WATERLINE and foster synergies with other EU-funded and local initiatives in the widening countries,

• O6.3 improve project visibility towards external and internal stakeholders, and

• O6.4 manage the information generated by the project fairly and transparently. 

Task 6.1 Communication activities (MCAST)

Task 6.2 Dissemination and Exploitation Activities (MCAST)

Task 6.3 Synergies with EU Initiatives, Institutions, other EU-funded projects, and NCP HE networks (TAUS)