Consortium

The WaterWise Hub boasts an extensive consortium of 21 partners, from 9 European Countries. Our partners represent all four strands of the Quadruple Helix, and bring unique expertise and perspectives to the project.

Greece

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) is one of Greece’s oldest higher education institutions and is widely recognized for its prestige in engineering and related disciplines. Established in 1837, it has grown into a top-ranked institution, offering nine academic programs, including eight in engineering and one in applied sciences.
NTUA is the coordinator of WATERWISE HUB with two research teams participating in the project:

• The Urban Water Management and Hydroinformatics Group, based in the School of Civil Engineering
• The UNESCO Chair Team, based in the School of Mechanical Engineering

The Urban Water Management and Hydroinformatics Group (UWMH) an active, innovative research team driving disruptive solutions for the urban water‑energy‑materials nexus. Backed by national and EU R&D programmes, it advances water‑sensitive urban design, sustainable drainage, grey‑water recycling, rainwater harvesting, sewer mining and managed aquifer recharge. UWMH pairs large‑scale demonstrations with high‑TRL software tools that optimise processes, pinpoint optimal sites and quantify system‑wide impacts. It is established in the School of Civil Engineering of NTUA.
The UNESCO Chair Team conducts research, offers training, and shares knowledge on green innovation and the circular economy. Its work centers on integrating these concepts into business planning to foster more sustainable economic development. It is established in the School of Mechanical Engineering of NTUA.

Green Fund

Green Fund

The Green Fund is a national funding institution, established in Greece in 2010. It constitutes a public-law entity supervised by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The core mission of the Green Fund is to enhance development through environmental protection and to support the Greek environmental and climate policy by ensuring that it’s various financial resources (fines from environmental offences, special taxes and other types of resources) are efficiently allocated to funding programmes that aim to protect, enhance and restore the natural and urban environment.

SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterpises

SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterpises

SEV – Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, established in 1907, serves as the independent voice of Greek businesses. Representing over 700 leading corporations, SEV advocates for a productive, outward-focused, and competitive economy. As a key partner in the national and European social dialogue, SEV shapes policies that drive entrepreneurship and economic growth. The federation actively engages in public debates, providing informed analyses and recommendations on pressing economic issues. SEV also connects its members to political leaders, potential investors, and industry peers, fostering collaboration and innovation. With access to market data, trend analyses, and sector-specific events, SEV empowers its members to thrive.

Hellenic Association of Municipal Water and Sewerage Utilities

Hellenic Association of Municipal Water and Sewerage Utilities

The Hellenic Association of Municipal Water and Sewerage Utilities (E.D.E.Y.A.) was founded in 1989 and is a non-profitable and non-governmental organization. E.D.E.Y.A. is located in the city of Larissa and has 125 members (D.E.Y.A. – Municipal Water and Sewerage Companies) all over Greece. Its purpose is to coordinate the activities of its members and represent them. Furthermore, it assists its members to improve their services in the water supply and sewage sectors. E.D.E.Y.A. claims sustainable solutions from the State for the legal, institutional and financial problems of its members and transfers to its members information, experience and knowledge related to their activities.

SciCo

SciCo

SciCo (Science Communication) is a non-profit organisation, focusing on scientific engagement and empowerment, through innovative, interactive, and entertaining means. It was founded in 2008, and consists of scientists, academics, educators, artists, and people with an interest in everyday science. Through numerous high-impact outreach activities, such as science festivals, digital platforms, and workshops, SciCo has reached more than 400.000 people all over Greece. It has also reached audiences outside Greece by expanding some of its own projects internationally and by participating in EU Programs and Networks.

MANTIS BUSINESS INNOVATION PC

MANTIS BUSINESS INNOVATION PC

Mantis Beyond Innovation assists organizations succeed through the power of open innovation. Founded in 2017, the company is now the leader of Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Greece, a tech innovation firm for today & tomorrow and a community of bright minds and idea holders. Acting as innovation enablers, they partner with organizations that are ready to accelerate and solve the most demanding environmental, fintech, and societal challenges through product development, process optimization, talent & startup acquisition, and awareness initiatives. Being pioneers at heart, they have built the Innovation Management Software (SaaS) that delivers impact through data and analytics solutions and facilitates the evaluation and decision–making process of innovation proposals. Their expertise lies in the design of open innovation programs, corporate innovation hubs, and talent acquisition programs, and we are never bored to build new challenges for idea holders.

Tethys Consulting

Tethys Consulting

Tethys Consulting is a deep-tech SME working at the intersection of research and practice, transforming state-of-the-art R&D into actionable water infrastructure solutions. The company specializes in hydro-informatic technologies, including Digital Twins and Cyber-Physical Security Solutions for Water Systems, and maintains the WE MarketPlace to foster collaboration and innovation. Tethys Consulting bridges cutting-edge research with practical applications, helping stakeholders build data-driven, resilient water infrastructure solutions to address climate and urban challenges.

Romania

Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest

Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest

UTCB is a leading Romanian institution exclusively dedicated to civil engineering. Founded in 1948, UTCB offers comprehensive programs in seven faculties, including Civil Engineering, Hydrotechnics and Geodesy. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, with selected programs taught in English and French. UTCB is renowned for its strong research centers and active international collaborations, particularly within the EU-CONEXUS alliance. The Groundwater Engineering Research Center (CCIAS) at UTCB conducts research in urban hydrogeology, green infrastructure design, groundwater pollution, geographic information system and spatial analysis in hydrogeology, hydrogeological modeling, remediation of contaminated areas, urban development – groundwater interaction etc.

National Research and development Institute for Industrial Ecology – ECOIND

National Research and development Institute for Industrial Ecology – ECOIND

National Research and Development Institute for Industrial Ecology (INCD ECOIND) is the unique research institute in Romania with a global approach of the environmental issues in the field of industrial ecology. Research is mainly applied and the results are transferred to the beneficiaries as services permanently connected to the internal market requirements and trends at European level in the field:
– Integrated pollution control (water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater, process water, air, soil, waste, sludge);
– Evaluation of the pollution and determination of compliance with specific legislation (impact studies, environmental balance, ecological risk);
– Technical analysis for clean production and sustainable development strategy for the prevention of pollution;
– Assessment of environmental costs and eco-efficiency;
– Environmental technologies for combating pollution (efficiency analysis / optimization of wastewater treatment, development of new technologies for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment and water treatment technologies; rehabilitation soil disposal / recovery of waste, sludge, industrial symbiosis);
– Development / implementation of integrated management systems (quality, environment, health and safety, food safety); Technical assistance, expertise and training in the areas mentioned; Assessment of professional competence in environmental field.

General Secretariat of the Government – Department of Sustainable Development

General Secretariat of the Government – Department of Sustainable Development

The Department for Sustainable Development (DSD) is a governmental entity responsible for coordinating the implementation of Romania’s main public policy in the sustainable development field, in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. The Department works closely with public institutions, private sector, and civil society to ensure sustainable governance and foster innovation, and these efforts have been recognized with a UNDESA award in 2021. Under DSD’s coordination, Romania also developed its Circular Economy Strategy, to promote resource efficiency, sustainable production and consumption. Internationally, DSD engages in UN, EU, and OECD processes, positioning Romania as a regional hub for promoting sustainable development.

ROTSA (Romanian Tech Startups Association)

ROTSA (Romanian Tech Startups Association)

The Romanian Tech Startups Association (ROTSA) is a non-profit, apolitical, and non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and representing the interests of tech startups in Romania. As an umbrella organization, ROTSA unites key players in the national tech startup ecosystem, fostering communication, collaboration, and partnerships to drive innovation and growth.

Bucharest Community Foundation

Bucharest Community Foundation

The Bucharest Community Foundation brings together donors, NGOs, and informal groups to develop communities where we all feel at home. It creates donation mechanisms, funding programs, and idea incubators for the city. Through grantmaking, community engagement, and strategic programs, the foundation facilitates the development of sustainable solutions for a more resilient and inclusive Bucharest. In over 13 years, it has funded more than 900 projects and scholarships in Bucharest and Ilfov, with a total of 6 million euros.

The Bucharest Community Foundation is part of a national movement, alongside 17 other community foundations across the country.

Business Development Group (BDG)

Business Development Group (BDG)

Business Development Group (BDG) is a management consultancy and innovation business creation SME with over 20 years of experience in Romania and Central & Eastern Europe countries. BDG supports local and regional development by fostering policy coherence, institutional frameworks and public-private partnerships. With expertise in environment, water, energy, agriculture, and food sectors, BDG has contributed to various HORIZON projects, with NEXOGENESIS, NATALIE, and AWARD among the most recent ones. Leveraging key circular water initiatives (NEXTGenWater, AquaSPICE), BDG promotes structured frameworks for circular economy in the water sector across the Lower Danube River Basin and beyond.

Albania

Build Green Group

Build Green Group

Build Green Group NGO contributes to research, education, digitalization, and innovation since 2015. Throughout its 10 years of experience, BGG has successfully implemented sustainable environmental, digitalization, innovation, and entrepreneurship projects. These efforts have been acknowledged by international bodies such as UNIDO and Advantage Austria, with the Energy Globe 2020 Award. The organization has also been recognized for its contribution in driving R&I entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Albania through stakeholder engagement & empowerment. Committed to an innovative future, BGG focuses on collaboration, strategic partnerships, and active involvement of local, national, and Western Balkans stakeholders, connecting them with the EU.

Moldova

Technical University of Moldova

Technical University of Moldova

Technical University of Moldova (UTM) is one of the most prestigious higher education institutions of the Republic of Moldova, the top one in the country according to international rankings, and the only one that trains specialists in engineering, agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine within its 11 faculties: Electronics and Telecommunications; Power and Electrical Engineering; Computers, Informatics and Microelectronics; Food Technology; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Transport; Architecture and Urban Planning; Constructions, Geodesy and Cadastre; Economic Engineering and Business; Design; Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Since its establishment in 1964 until now, it has trained more than 80.000 engineers and economists. UTM objectives are focused on developing the value of the national engineering education through the quality of education as a determinant factor of the competitiveness of human potential, as well as developing the scientific research as a crucial component in professional engineering.

North Macedonia

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy, IECE

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy, IECE

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy – IECE is a private non-profit research institute strategically oriented towards sustainability. IECE was accredited by the Ministry of education and science in 2014.IECE centres its education, research and consultancy services in the following fields: Environment, Civil Engineering, Energy, Management, Social Sciences and IT. Through each of these fields, we address the major sustainable issues and challenges faced at national and international level.

IECE is positioned as an interface between academia and industry, to provide a mutual and beneficial exchange of knowledge, ideas and expertise, and to create platforms for knowledge exchange and networking.

The driving strategy of IECE is based on having an orientation towards sustainable development and an economy based on knowledge, so that can encourage future generations to continue discovering, creating, modelling, executing, monitoring and improving R&D activities and applied knowledge, skills and competence that are required to ensure the wellbeing of future generations.

Serbia

Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade

Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade

The Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Belgrade is the oldest and most respected educational and scientific institution in the field of civil engineering, geodesy and geoinformatics in Serbia, with a long and rich tradition dating from 1846. The Faculty has three study programs: Civil Engineering, Geodesy and Geoinformatics, each with common basic studies and master’s studies divided into modules. Scientific research activity is one of the first priorities in the work of the Faculty, that is realized through doctoral dissertations, and participation in domestic and foreign scientific projects.

Ukraine

National University of Water & Environmental Engineering

National University of Water & Environmental Engineering

The National University of Water and Environmental Engineering (NUWEE) was founded more than one hundred years ago. NUWEE is one of the leading modern educational establishments of Ukraine that became Alma mater for more than 80,000 domestic and international alumni. Their expertise in water management engineering, IT, geoinformation technologies, transport technologies and services, agronomy, economics and business made NUWEE a recognized place where students can excel in technical and nature science disciplines as well as in business. Today the University has more than 50 bachelors’ programs, more than 60 masters’ programs, PhD programs, DS programs, more than 8 000 students, 500 academic staff, 9 research and educational institutes. The university is equipped with modern educational and scientific laboratories, centers, and has a strong infrastructure. This supports not only the academic process but also integration with business, public organizations, and government structures, fostering the development of innovative solutions in various fields.

Netherlands

KWR Water Research Institute

KWR Water Research Institute

KWR Water Research Institute is a private non-profit organization generating scientific knowledge and innovations for the water sector. KWR researchers operate at the interface of science, business and society, excelling in translating scientific findings into practical solutions. KWR has a strong track record in EU projects, and has been managing the Joint Research Programme (Waterwijs) with Dutch and Flemish water utilities for over 40 years, and coordinates the National Water Technology research program (TKI WaterTechnology). KWR leads Watershare, a network of water research institutes and utilities, and is knowledge partner in Allied Waters, a public-private partnership focused on commercializing water innovations.

United Kingdom

Cranfield University

Cranfield University

Cranfield University is a postgraduate-only UK university that specializes in science, engineering, technology, and management. It’s known for its close links to industry and focus on practical, real-world research that tackles global challenges. Drawing on its successful Technology Accelerator programme, Cranfield helps advance water-sector start-ups and SMEs through tailored support, mentoring, and access to research facilities. The university also plays a key role in developing training programmes and offers fully funded scholarships for female students from partner countries, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable water management and capacity building in the region.

University of Exeter

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter (UNEXE) has extensive expertise in climate and environmental sciences, and circular economy. The Centre for Water Systems (CWS) and the Centre for Simulation, Analytics, and Modelling (CSAM) at UNEXE participate in the Water Wise Hub. CWS is internationally renowned for its research into water systems engineering that covers water resources management, circular economy, water supply and distribution systems, wastewater and urban drainage systems, modelling and data analytics, hydroinformatics, and climate adaptation. CSAM undertakes advanced study in modelling methods applied to business problems, with thematic research in healthcare operations management, supply chains and the circular economy.