OP in general aims to achieve key national development priorities along with the EU2020 objectives.

TO 1 specific objectives No 1.1.1 “Enhanced capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia to conduct research and contribute to innovation, as well as attract external funding and invest in human resources and infrastructure” and No 1.2.2. “To facilitate development of innovative and technology intensive entrepreneurs” are developed to support the implementation of RIS3. Water sector as thematic area is interdisciplinary and corresponds to all five LV RIS3 specialization areas. Specific water sector related issues to ensure sustainable water management through new technologies and innovation are supported from structural funds.

Challenges:

- Institutions implementing projects in new water technologies are dealing with barriers in introducing technology in real circumstances. Popularization of research achievements in this field would help to overcome these barriers.

-Understanding the “demonstration beforehand” process is necessary in order to plan and introduce new technology; this mechanism should be intended and planned in the policy to speed up the cooperation between scientists and technology producers.

-Additional investments in human capital. Now in the OP the main planned activities are trainings of municipality experts, but there is a lack of funding for educating final users, as well as scientists and decision-makers using real functioning technologies.

Crete OP is one of the 13 multisectoral and multifunded Regional Operational Programmes (ROP) in Greece. The aim of the OP is to strengthen the capacity of the region and local authorities. The Crete OP is in line with the EU 2020 targets, Smart Specialization Strategy RIS Crete, Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. In the project, Crete will focus on TO "Boosting Research, Technological Development and Innovation in combination with TO “Sustainable development with environmental upgrade and climate change adaptations“. Investments on water sustainable management actions are estimated to reach 18% of the overall funding. In the RIS Crete, the environmental complex has been prioritised within the regional innovation system. The focus is on water resources, innovation in water management and

tackling of climate change consequences. The fact that Crete has a developed primary sector and is a major touristic destination, has effect of jeopardising its natural resources sustainability especially under the auspices of climate change. On the other hand Crete is characterized by the presence of an internationally acclaimed educational and research potential which could develop and disseminate innovations in many sectors. Our aim is to promote the effectiveness of our policy instrument by seeking collaboration and exchange of good practices as well as new investment tools in an effort to confront the pressure on the water resources of the island.

ROP is managed by the Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Funds (MRDPAEF) as MA. Through Priority Axis 1 - Promoting technology transfer, ROP allocates to NE Region EUR 36.15 mil for the implementation of investments on development of infrastructures and technological transfer (TT) services. To program resources, MA recommended to Romanian regions to develop a Regional Framework Document for Smart Specialization. This was developed by NE RDA in partnership with academia, R&D institutes, business and public sector. Access to these funds is conditioned by submission of Letters of Intention (LI) through which potential beneficiaries present the experience, the vision, the competitive advantages, the functional mechanisms, the assets and the abilities existing or created in order to develop the TT activities. A Regional Innovation Consortium and an Academic Advisory Committee have been set up regionally for analysing the 36 LIs already submitted in view of submitting relevant projects. To ensure the effectiveness of the ROP it is necessary to create new/further develop the existing TT entities as intermediates between innovation demand and diversified supply of research results. Given the importance of the water value chain, which has been identified as one of the key issues for the region, it is important to foster the innovation chain particular in the water technology sector, supporting growth and unlocking other economic potential.

Norte 2020 is the regional operational programme (ROP) for North Portugal.

This project is aligned with the NORTE 2020 priority axis 1, that intends for Research, Development and Technological Innovation (R&D&TI), and specifically the Priority Investment 1.2 that aims at increasing investment in R&D&TI by companies, strengthening the link between businesses and the regional science and technology system , and promoting an increase in knowledge-intensive economic activities, as well as the creation of value based on innovation.

The ROP supports several aspects related to innovation delivery and puts emphasis on internationalisation (specific objectives 1.2.3 and 1.2.4). There is a particular focus on the agri-food sector, as one of the smart specialisation areas. So far, the funds are mainly used for product innovation and less for process innovation that contribute to circular economy. However, the water sector is heavily impacted by the agri-food sector (lack of treatment of wastewater, nutrients from agriculture that enter the groundwater). A one-sided focus on innovation in new products (e.g. based on wine and dairy products, which are important in the North of Portugal) and the sale process rather than a circular economy oriented and sustainable production process hampers the long-term sustainable development of the region. It is therefore necessary that the ROP more actively fosters initiatives which focuses on water cycle innovation within the agri-food sector.

Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 for the Murcia Region. Measures 01-1b

Measure 1b focuses on the development of links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the higher education sector. It promotes among others eco-innovation and public private partnerships.

At the same time, water management has been identified as a key issue for the region (RIS3), as the Region of Murcia is suffering an important scarcity of water which is conditioning the most of their industrial activities.

The region aims to reduce the consumption of water by 10 % without reducing the irrigation surface because of the agricultural activity is developed in rural areas with very few industrial possibilities.

It is therefore particularly important to foster innovation and the innovation chain (cooperation between enterprises and research) in the water sector, helping the local companies to stay competitive and to be able to cope with the scare resources. The policy instrument should therefore better address this particular field, making it easier for related initiatives to access funding. For example, water reuse and wastewater treatment plants as well as the modernisation of irrigation systems should be tackled. This could for example be through targeted calls or improved support for such initiatives or also revised selection criteria and specific priority areas, that address particularly water management issues.

The update of the Strategic Vision of the Development Strategy for the SM Region 2020 follows the strategic documents of the EU, the Regional Development Strategy for Czech Republic and the Development Strategy of the SM Region 2006-2016. It creates a general framework for Regional Development Program and other regional concepts and strategic documents. It’s a strategic document outlining priorities and future interventions for SM with 4 main priority axes:

1. Competitive regional economy on European/global scale

2. Adequate and high quality public service offer

3. The development of core infrastructure and transport links

4. Long term viability of the disadvantaged parts of the region

The main focus will be on priorities 1 and 3. Under point 3, water management issues are covered. Although general issues with regard to water management are outlined in the instrument, such as the importance for sustainable water supply, concrete and effective action proposals are missing. In particular, it is the innovation chain – good cooperation between research and industry – that needs to be better addressed to provide efficient solutions. This in turn is an important focus of point 1. Water technology has good potential to contribute to regional development, but for this innovation chain needs to be improved. This means that the relevant stakeholders need to be better involved in the development of the strategy and the decision-making process to ensure a functioning innovation chain.