EIT Water officially launched at event in Málaga to tackle Europe's water challenges

EIT Water was officially launched at an event in Málaga, Spain, on 15 October, bringing together representatives from government, business and academia. 

The new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) aims to drive innovation and address challenges across Europe's water, marine and maritime sectors. 

EIT Water is  one of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT's) nine KICs and the first to address water, marine and maritime challenges together. Currently in its start-up phase, it has attracted more than 150 members and established eight regional hubs covering 29 countries. Its recently approved Strategic Agenda (2027–2033) sets out a seven-year plan to strengthen the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of Europe's water, marine and maritime sectors. 

This is a milestone moment for Europe’s water, marine and maritime sectors and ecosystems, heralding a new era of radical innovation to accelerate systemic WMM solutions. We’re grateful to our members, partners, co-founders and colleagues for embracing the opportunity to come together in person and celebrate the founding of a new community model, which will support all of us to achieve our collective goal: a healthy, resilient and sustainable water system.

Mikael Kamp Sørensen, EIT Water’s Chief Executive Officer

Bringing together Europe's water innovation community 

The launch event, held at La Pérgola Mediterráneo in Málaga, featured keynote addresses from: 

• Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy; 

• Stefaan Hermans, Director for Competitiveness, Talent Mobility and International Cooperation at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC); 

• Tim Smedley, environmental journalist and author of The Last Drop: Solving the World's Water Crisis; 

• Dr Imogen Napper, marine scientist and National Geographic Explorer specialising in plastic pollution. 

Innovation is one of the most effective tools we have to boost water resilience. By turning Europe's world-class research and innovation into ready water solutions, you will help promising technologies scale up more quickly. And you will help to deliver concrete benefits for citizens and Europe's long-term resilience.

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, European Commission, opening the Launch Event with a video message to the EIT Water community. 

Ahead of the official launch, the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre Prados, hosted a reception on 14 October to welcome EIT Water delegates and express his support for the new community. 

Recognising promising water, marine and maritime startups 

The event also saw the announcement of the 2026 EIT Water WAVEMAKER Innovation Award winner. Funded by a philanthropic donation from the Poul Due Jensen Foundation (Grundfos Foundation), the award recognises promising startups and spin-outs developing solutions for the water, marine and maritime sectors. Eight winners from regional competitions held across Europe in September competed for the overall title and a €5 000 development grant.