DEVELOPMENT OF A PLATFORM FOR DATA, INFORMATION, AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER IN THE WATER SECTOR

The overall goal is to contribute to the development of an innovation ecosystem in the water sector. Objective: To develop a concept for demand-oriented and market-oriented research Water-related problems are becoming more and more complex. The traditional solutions and strategies like increasing water supply to address these problems are not anymore sufficient. Many studies and projects are dedicated to better understanding such complexities at different levels, from local to international, and from consumer to provider to the decision-maker point of view. Academia has the capacity to play an essential role in developing such an innovation ecosystem by producing and providing research-based innovation. For that purpose, new forms of innovation and new frameworks for research are required. These frameworks should be able to guide research towards answering demand oriented and market oriented research questions and target the current and future societal challenges. Continuous interaction with stakeholders is a critical factor in developing a concept and framework for research that can result in innovation and innovative solutions according to the water sector's needs. On the one hand, academia needs to develop research questions that address the societal needs and, on the other hand, produce results that are accessible, understandable, and applicable by different stakeholders at different levels. Therefore, there is a considerable need to develop a platform for Data and knowledge transfer. This platform should channel different types of data, information, and knowledge at different levels according to stakeholders compatible with different forms of existing interface among the stakeholders. A first step (phase ۰: Preparation phase) to design such a platform is ۱) to understand:- the stakeholders (stakeholder mapping) and their needs - the challenges, potentials, and capacities of the water sector - the socio-economic, cultural, environmental, political systems and specifications - existing interfaces in the water sector and their specifications ۲) to create demand for such a platform and intention for contribution through - co-design of the platform with the involved stakeholders - create awareness about social innovation and its necessity to achieve water security - Knowledge transfer from successful examples of such platforms, including Water Security- from data to decision ۳) to define a strategy to develop a concept for demand-oriented research