Under the support of the IncoNet Eastern Partnership and IncoNet Central Asia projects, energy and water experts from Eastern Partnership countries and Cental Asia participated at the Aquamatch Amsterdam brokerage event and H2020 training organised by RCISD on 4-5 November in Amsterdam.

Aquamatch Amsterdam, an international Water Technology & Innovation brokerage event was organised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Enterprise Europe Network. The AquaMatch was take place at Aquatech Amsterdam during the Amsterdam International Water Week. From 3 – 6 November participants had access to the Aquatech Amsterdam exhibition, an extensive conference and workshop programme and various excursions. The extensive programme provideded many opportunities, to share the knowledge and experience, learn from water professionals & best practices and be inspired by the world’s most leading water experts.

On 4 November RCISD provided the experts H2020 training back-to-back with the Brokerage Event. During the workshop the following topics were introduced:

–          General indications and advice of proposal writing

–          H2020 The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

–          Preparation of the proposal

–          Submission process of project proposal illustrated on EC H2020 Participant Portal and a project proposal template

–          New Work Programmes 2016-2017 on SC3-Secure, Clean and Energy Efficiency and SC5-Climate Action, Enviroment

Participants also had the opportunity to ask questions.

On 5 November the EaP researchers participated in Aquamatch Amsterdam brokerage event – international Water Technology & Innovation -, a highly visible brokerage event organized by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Enterprise Europe Network. The EaP researchers expanded their international water network, found partners for cooperation and build partnerships for future international funding calls (e.g. H2020, Eurostars, LIFE, Partners voor Water) during 15 minutes meeting.

They had bilateral talks with about 8 European counterparts in an average. In addition to the scheduled face-to-face talks, Eastern Partnership researchers also had the chance to initiate less formal talks with the 170 registered participants.

Last but not least on 3-6 November the EaP participants attended the Aquatech Amsterdam exhibition, where they had the chance to cooperate, shake hand with over 850 participants that presented their newest products and services. It was also available them to network with more than 18.000 water industry peers and attend approximately 75 educational and inspirational seminars and presentations about the latest trends and developments in the industry. Aquatech Amsterdam also presented exciting new initiatives and opportunities for the entire water sector in 2015! New are the Aquatech Venture Forum, Industrial User Experience, Storm Water Pavilion, BlueTech Research Innovation Pavilion and much more.

Based on the follow-up reports of the EaP participants, the events provided the scientists with valuable networking opportunities for future EU-EaP collaboration.