NETWERC H2O COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
THE NETWERC H2O COMMUNITIES
The work groups of NETWERC H2O are called Communities and twelve Communities have been
proposed by the Management Committee and approved by the association’s Board of Directors.
A number of international environmental and water platforms have a series of work groups
which permit their members to participate in actions, international project proposals and to
foment collaboration and improved transversal synergies. It is important to understand that the
Communities will not compete with work groups established by other water platforms but will
aim to provide a SOCIAL complement to the TECHNOLOGICAL objectives of their counterparts
in similar associations. The Communities are essential in order to provide practical benefits for
the association’s membership.
This newsletter will be distributed regularly to disseminate the aims, planning, work and results
of individual NETWERC H2O Communities.
In this first newsletter, we introduce the Community:
INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCING AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WATER
The Community INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCING AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
FOR WATER recognises the following Major Challenges of the European Water Sector are to be
tackled: Global trends such as climate change, demographic changes, urbanization, economic
progress and social changes; Water scarcity and drought; Privatisation of the water sector
(fragmentation of the sector); Lack of investment in rural and municipal water supply; High cost
(Capex/Opex) due to energy-intensive technologies coupled with water supply limitations.
Therefore, the main objective of the Community is to be the connection point for sustainable
financing solutions and business opportunities for the water sector in European Regions and
Cities. This will be achieved through a number of sub-objectives
 To understand the Financial and Business needs of the European Water Sector
 To review, document and disseminate the state of the art of water pricing in Europe;
 To design, develop and build on business and financial models for the European Water
Utility Sector.
 Coordinate activities of this community with other European networks and associations
(e.g. EIP Water, WssTP, EWA, EurEua etc.) The final result of the community will be to
build a consortium and find funding for the outcomes of the group.
The Core Coordination Team of the Community is NETWORK H2O, JRC and WE&B, who will
collaborate and request the input from the participants with the aim to decouple the current
water sector business models through driving Eco-Efficiency (Achieving More with less), Waste
to Resource (circular flow) and a customer services centred business model.
For further information and the Community Presentation see:
http://www.netwerch2o.eu/community/innovative-and-sustainable-financing-and-businessopportunities-team-leader-web/
In order to join the Community, please contact the Community Team leader WE&B at the
following e-mail addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]
THE COMMUNITY TEAM LEADER – WE&B
Water, Environment and Business for Development (WE & B) is a consulting company focused
on the economic and social aspects of the water and environmental sectors. WE&B implements
water and environmental solutions, innovative business practices and builds capacity to assist
communities, companies and public authorities to sustainably develop.
WE&B is divided into 2 main work areas with 3 cross cutting themes. The company’s main areas
of focus are: Management of the Water Cycle and Environmental Management.
WE&B works in these two main areas through the following themes:
1. Business Innovation
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Development of sustainable business models
Economic Analysis
Improving business competitiveness
Demand Responsive Approach
2. Social Innovation
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Social Impact Management and Analysis
Stakeholder mapping, analysis and engagement
Gender Analysis
Designing and implementing educational programs
Training in institutional and legal framework development
For more information please visit: http://www.weandb.org/
Or follow on Twitter: @WEandB