STICHTING CENTRE OF EXPERTISE WATERTECHNOLOGIE

Their core work

A Dutch research center based in Leeuwarden whose name points to water technology, but whose visible H2020 activity centers on food chain innovation and circular economy. They coordinated VIDA (EUR 3.87M), a programme that helped food-sector SMEs adopt energy, water, and resource-efficiency technologies, and they later joined Agro2Circular to work on upcycling agrifood residues and multilayer plastics. In practice, they bridge water/resource expertise into adjacent industrial sectors and have a clear track record of running SME-facing innovation support schemes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2018-2021 they worked on a broad agenda of food chain innovation, resource efficiency and SME/cluster support through VIDA as coordinator. From 2021 onward they narrow to circular economy applications — upcycling agrifood residues, recycling multilayer plastics and digitalisation of territorial systems via Agro2Circular. The shift is from horizontal SME innovation support toward vertical, material-specific circular solutions.

They are heading deeper into circular economy and material-specific upcycling, which makes them a relevant partner for future Horizon Europe work on agrifood waste, plastics recycling and territorial circular systems.

How they like to work

They have taken both lead and supporting roles — coordinating one project and participating in another — and work inside sizeable consortia, having touched 51 distinct partners across 15 countries on just two projects. That partner-to-project ratio suggests they act more as a hub for bringing diverse actors together than as a small specialist team, which is consistent with their SME and cluster orientation.

They have collaborated with around 51 different organizations across 15 countries. Given their Leeuwarden base and the nature of their projects, their network is Europe-wide with a likely anchor in Dutch and Northern European research and SME communities.

What sets them apart

Few water-technology research centres have a demonstrable track record of coordinating a multi-million euro SME innovation scheme in the food sector — this organization does. Their value to a consortium is the combination of water/resource-efficiency expertise and a tested ability to run SME- and cluster-facing support structures. That makes them a strong partner when a project needs both a technical angle on water/resources and practical mechanisms for engaging industrial end-users.

Highlights from their portfolio

• VIDA
  Their flagship H2020 project: coordinator role, EUR 3.87M budget, delivering water/energy/resource-efficiency innovation directly to food-sector SMEs and clusters.
• Agro2Circular
  Marks their recent pivot into circular economy — upcycling agrifood residues and recycling multilayer plastics through a territorial systemic approach.