14. Nov. 2025
Cleaner water, new answers to climate change and more innovation. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has designated a new Knowledge and Innovation Community to drive Europe’s development of water technology over the next 15 years – and the winning project will be headquartered in Denmark.

From a project office at Aarhus University, a new European knowledge and innovation community has emerged over the past few years. With financial support from the Grundfos Foundation and Aarhus University, Allwaters has succeeded in bringing together 50 bidding partners in a core consortium, which includes 140 organisations from 30 countries for a joint application to Europe’s new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) focused on water, marine and maritime sectors and ecosystems.

And last night the news came: Allwaters has won the call, and Denmark will now host the headquarters for the upcoming Water Knowledge and Innovation Community in Europe, EIT Water. This marks an important step towards safeguarding Europe’s water resources and delivering innovations that can address the pressure on the continent’s water systems.

“It’s fantastic! The culmination of a huge team effort from all the talented and dedicated partners in the Allwaters consortium. EIT Water will be a tremendous boost in bringing existing knowledge into play and securing new insights in areas where we are lagging behind. That’s crucial if we as a society want to achieve our ambitions.“
Kim Nøhr Skibsted, Executive Director of the Grundfos Foundation

Businesses see new opportunities

The new EIT Water will support innovation in technological solutions, talent development and entrepreneurship, and create businesses across Europe to tackle global challenges such as pollution, drought, climate change and clean water. The initiative connects researchers, educators and entrepreneurs with Europe’s largest innovation network and will cover all types of water – from drinking water and wastewater to lakes, rivers and the surrounding seas.

The Danish water sector has backed Allwaters from the beginning. Supporters include Grundfos, Danfoss, DI, Water Valley Denmark, DANVA, HOFOR, Aarhus Vand, Aalborg University, the University of Southern Denmark, Aarsleff, SEGES and Kamstrup.

“For the Danish water sector, this is a decisive step towards strengthening our global leadership in water technology. It opens the door to more innovation, increased exports and the green transition – and helps turn research into solutions that make a real difference for the climate and water resources worldwide. As an industry, we should be proud that together we are creating results that reach far beyond our borders.“
Søren Kvorning, CEO of Kamstrup

Backed by hundreds of millions of euros

EIT Water will receive a start-up grant of €5 million in 2026 and is expected to be fully operational by 2027. Over its 15-year funding period, EIT Water is expected to raise several hundred million euros in EIT funds and attract companies, investors, stakeholders and international talent within the water sector. This is in addition to external funds that the new Knowledge and Innovation Community will secure.

“This amazing achievement shows what is possible when vision meets collaboration. We are thrilled with the outcome and proud of how Allwaters partners and stakeholders have united behind a powerful mission for Europe. From the Aarhus University Project Office, we deeply value the engagement, expertise and trust that define the Allwaters consortium. Now, we look forward to turning ambition into action together with EIT, working together to create lasting impact on the water, marine and maritime sectors across Europe,“
Michelle Williams, Vice-Dean at Aarhus University and head of the Allwaters project office

Allwaters was selected as the winner following an expert evaluation and a hearing before the EIT Board, which cited the consortium’s broad representation across Europe as a key reason for its decision. EIT achieves its goals through collaboration between research, education and innovation with strong involvement from European industry.

Headquarters to be located in Aarhus

Companies, universities, public institutions, foundations, research organisations and various clusters collaborated on the application for EIT Water. The European headquarters will be located in Vandets Hus (House of Water) in Aarhus, with eight Co-Location Centres spread across Europe.

Mennesker der står og peger på en model af Aarhus havn

The future heatquarters will be based on Pier 3 in Aarhus Harbour. A model was showcased at the Grundfos Prize expo on 11 November. Far right: Flemming Besenbacher, Chair of Water Valley Denmark, looks at the model. Photo: Lars Holm

One of these eight Co-Location Centres will also be based in Aarhus. Here, Water Valley Denmark, as the innovation network for the Danish water sector, has gathered Nordic partners in Allwaters to establish the Nordic Co-Location Centre for Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The other centres will be located in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Croatia, Spain, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom.

“.This is the first time Denmark has secured such a central position in European research and innovation, and it is a major recognition of our strong water sector. We have a proud tradition of collaboration between universities, public organisations and industry, and now we can help extend that tradition across Europe. For us at Aarhus University, it has been exciting to bring together so many partners, and we hope to involve even more in the new community in the future for the benefit of tomorrow’s water.“
Eskild Holm Nielsen, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University

The Danish Parliament has granted DKK 21 million as co-financing for the Danish headquarters and the Nordic Co-Location Centre. In addition, the Grundfos Foundation has pledged further support for innovation activities.

Facts: What Are EIT and KIC?

EIT stands for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. It is an EU organisation that promotes research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe.

EIT has now established ten Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), each addressing a specific global challenge, from climate change, sustainable energy and urban mobility to the digitalisation of our society.

The EIT Water whose headquarters has just been placed in Denmark focuses on challenges related to water: drinking water, wastewater, lakes, rivers and the surrounding seas – all forms of water. That is why the Danish-led consortium has been named Allwaters.

Organisationally, EIT Water will have a headquarters and eight Co-Location Centres across Europe. Allwaters will place both its headquarters and its northern Co-Location Centre for Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland in Aarhus.