Eötvös Loránd University was the first among Hungarian higher education institutions to join as a strategic partner the international network established to address Europe’s urgent water challenges. 

EIT Water is the newest innovation community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). It connects industrial players, innovators, researchers, educators, and policy makers to solve the most pressing water, marine, and shipping challenges and to implement sustainable and circular water resource management—from water scarcity and droughts, to floods, pollution, and the degradation of ecosystem conditions. The community has developed its strategic plan for the 2027–2032 period and already has more than 150 members. The eight regional hubs unite 29 countries. 

Imola Koszta and Anita Erőss

The community’s opening event was held on October 15 in Malaga, where ELTE was represented by Anita Erőss, ELTE’s scientific associate and the university coordinator for EIT Water, and Imola Koszta, ELTE’s project manager for EIT Water. 

At the opening, Mikael Kamp Sørensen, CEO of EIT Water, called the creation of the new community a milestone for Europe’s water, marine, shipping sectors, and ecosystems, emphasizing that this shared effort opens a new era of radical innovation. He highlighted that EIT Water’s aim is to accelerate innovation and address sector challenges systemically, building on the cooperation of members, partners, co-funders, and colleagues. 

“It is important that we showcase our researchers’ results and innovations for managing water challenges in Hungary and internationally, connecting them with industrial stakeholders, while also ensuring that 

we prepare current and future generations to deal with the water crisis with a cross-sectoral and systemic approach.” 

– emphasized Anita Erőss.
 

“Joining as part of ELTE’s Sustainability Flagship Program is realized as one of its transdisciplinary initiatives. The aim is that, in addition to science and informatics directly related to water, 

social awareness and educational methods developed at ELTE, as well as skills development programs related to water challenges, also play a key role.” 

– explained Judit Mádlné Szőnyi, ELTE’s vice-rector.

Thanks to the successful joining process, ELTE is now an active partner of three EIT innovation communities: the experience and knowledge gathered in 28DIGITAL and EIT Culture & Creativity can also be leveraged for the benefit of this new partnership.

The cover photo features Mikael Kamp Sørensen, CEO of EIT Water.