Work in Parliament Maria da Graça Carvalho proposes a Knowledge and Innovation Community dedicated to water

Maria da Graça Carvalho asked today for the support of different European political families for the creation of a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated exclusively to the water theme, within the scope of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The request, which was received positively by MEPs, was presented at ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy Commission, which discussed the future of this Institute on Wednesday.

Maria da Graça Carvalho recalled that the problems related to water management, and in particular the scarcity of this resource, “are a very important topic for all of us, in Europe and, in fact, for the whole world”. Thus, special attention should be given to it during the forthcoming Science and Innovation framework programme, Horizon Europe: “We already have KICs in the areas of food, energy or health, but we still don't have them for water”.

As rapporteur of the Strategic Agenda for the EIT, in the ITRE committee, Graça Carvalho will have the responsibility to list Parliament's recommendations to the Commission and the European Council regarding the Institute's future priorities.

On Wednesday's presentation, she listed several improvements to be introduced in EIT strategy, namely better interaction of the so-called “knowledge triangle” (Research, Innovation and Education) - with Education being valued, but usually integrated as part of the remaining areas. Other aspects mentioned were the need to reinforce the “openness and transparency” of the projects selected by the EIT.

According to data from the European Commission, 73% of the funds distributed by the EIT are concentrated in five countries, which has led to demands for a more balanced distribution of funds between Member States and regions. Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that "excellence should continue to be the main criterion" in the selection of projects to be supported, but added that this excellence can be found "throughout Europe".