The Project is based on the creation of a ‘Digital Social Platform (DSP)‘ to expand and improve the governance of water networks connected to the Project and to increase the level of information and awareness among the population. POWER has proposed a DSP approach to share knowledge and experiences related to water issues (scarcity, safety, quality, consumption) in different areas of the European Union and beyond, creating an important tool to support European water policy.
POWER has created:
- New tools (the digital social platform, DSP, and the best practices repository, BPR)
- New engagement models (through gamification and idea contests, ConCensus)
- New methodology (Governance Capacity Framework)
The POWER tools have been specifically designed and implemented to promote community involvement in governance processes through the dissemination of decision-making, which can be applied to any sustainability-related challenge.
In the long term, the POWER approach aims to increase cities’ capacity to develop solutions, strategies, and policies to address water sustainability challenges, ensuring the continuity of EU water policies.
The POWER project consortium includes 12 partners, including 4 research institutions dealing with environmental, social, and governance issues, 2 innovative SMEs, including Cubit, 2 European non-profit organizations, and 4 key demonstration cities: De Montfort University (UK – Coordinator), Cubit (Italy), Fundacio CTM Centre Tecnològic CTM (Spain), KWR Water B.V. (Netherlands), European Institute for Participatory Media EV (Germany), Climate Alliance – Klima Buendnis – Alianza del Clima EV (Germany), Universiteit Utrecht (Netherlands), Leicester City Council (UK), Aggregate Formula Lda – Baseform (Portugal), Hagihon Company Ltd – Jerusalem Region Water Utility (Israel), Milton Keynes Council (UK), Companyia d’aigues de Sabadell SA (Spain). The POWER Project is part of the EIP Water – City Blueprint Action Group, Netwerc H2O, ICT4Water, CAPSSI networks. (Cubit’s role: Beneficiary)
Numerous municipalities have joined the network of Follower Cities, including Lisbon, Pisa, Constanța (Romania), Amman (Jordan), Nicosia (Cyprus), Deutscher Städte – und Gemeindebundes (Federation of German Cities), Xarxa de Ciutats I Pobles Cap a la Sostenibilitat (Network of Spanish Cities).
POWER was awarded the Water Innovation Europe (WIE) 2020 prize for the most successful governance solution in the water sector. The award recognized the decisive impact that the use of intelligent technologies, supported by innovative engagement models, will play in the future management of water resources in our society.
For more information:
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/687809/
