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EIT Water is Europe’s innovation community for water, marine and maritime systems. We connect industry, innovators, researchers, educators and policymakers to tackle the most urgent water challenges-from scarcity, drought and flooding to pollution and ecosystem decline. By bringing together the right expertise, investment and partners, we help new ideas flow into real-world solutions that strengthen Europe’s water resilience, support the blue economy and protect ecosystems from source to sea. EIT Water is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
EIT Water’s mission is to accelerate Europe’s transition to sustainable, resilient and inclusive water systems by enabling coordinated, place-based systemic innovation across regions and sectors. We will connect industry, innovators, researchers, educators and policymakers to tackle the most urgent water challenges – from scarcity, drought and flooding to pollution and ecosystem decline. By bringing together the right expertise, investment and partners, we will help new ideas flow into real-world solutions that strengthen Europe’s water resilience, support the blue economy and protect ecosystems from source to sea.
Founded in 2026, EIT Water will overcome fragmentation by unlocking the full potential across our water landscape, amplifying the impact of existing strengths, assets and initiatives across Europe, and enabling systemic innovation from the Arctic North to the Global South. We will deliver groundbreaking innovations, support impactful businesses to scale solutions across borders, and develop a skilled workforce able to respond to existing and emerging challenges. In doing so, EIT Water will help secure Europe’s water future: protecting its water resources, building its climate resilience, improving its competitiveness, and strengthening its security. Our vision is a Europe where healthy water ecosystems drive economic opportunity, environmental protection and social wellbeing.
in EIT Community
Start Up Funding
founding partners
EIT Water are now recruiting across each of its eight regional hubs for Regional Hub Managers. We are looking for a commercially minded, entrepreneurial Regional Hub Managers (RHM) to be EIT Water’s senior representatives and business development, relationship and ecosystem leads for each of the eight European regions. As EIT Water’s senior representatives and primary regional points of contact, the role proactively builds the Member, partner and participant community and connects regional stakeholders to EIT Water’s pan-European community, and Action Programmes.
These are a hands-on roles for individuals who creates opportunities rather than simply coordinates activity. As a RHM, you will proactively identify and approach prospective Members and participants, build trusted relationships, turn interest into participation and connect stakeholders to the right opportunities across Education, Business Creation and Innovation.
The Regional Hub Manager positions will be going live on a rolling basis. To find out more and make formal application please see the How to Apply section below.
EIT Water Black Sea drives innovation across the water, marine and maritime sectors in the Black Sea region (Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, Ukraine). As part of EIT Water’s pan-European ecosystem, our regional hub supports solutions that protect marine ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience and boost sustainable blue economy growth across Eastern Europe and neighbouring regions.
In 2026, the EIT Water Black Sea host is Marine Cluster Bulgaria, a national organisation uniting actors across the maritime economy. As a strategic innovation hub, it integrates ports, logistics, blue biotech and maritime services to strengthen regional competitiveness. Marine Cluster Bulgaria promotes innovation, shares best practices, supports skills development and elevates the role of the Black Sea within Europe’s blue economy.
EIT water Central & Baltic connects and strengthens water, marine and maritime innovation across the Baltic Sea region (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland). We work to advance sustainable, integrated and nature-based solutions that support thriving blue economies and healthy marine ecosystems across Northern Europe.
In 2026, the EIT Water Central & Baltic host is the SUBMARINER Network, a transnational network founded in 2010 that unites actors across all Baltic Sea countries and beyond to promote innovative and sustainable uses of marine and aquatic resources. The SUBMARINER Network coordinates the EU Mission Ocean & Waters for the Baltic and North Seas, positioning the region as a leader in the transformation to a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy.
EIT Water Central & Danube advances innovation at the intersection of water, food and energy across the Danube region (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland). Our regional hub brings together research, industry and education to address regional and European priorities in hydropower, water quality, flood and drought resilience and sustainable aquaculture.
In 2026, the EIT Water Central & Danube host is BOKU University Vienna, in collaboration with TU Wien. Together they bring world-class expertise in hydraulic engineering, water quality, flood and drought management, supported by unique research infrastructure such as the BOKU River Lab and extensive regional networks.
EIT Water Iberian Peninsula accelerates innovation in water reuse, green-blue infrastructure and irrigation across Portugal and Spain. Based in Málaga, our regional hub strengthens Mediterranean water system resilience, fosters EU–Africa cooperation and supports market uptake of sustainable water technologies.
In 2026, the EIT Water Iberian Peninsula host is Innova IRV, a Spanish innovation agency that enhances business competitiveness, attracts strategic investment and supports technology-based companies dedicated to sustainable water management and the circular economy.
EIT Water North enables and accelerates advanced water innovation across the Nordic region (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden). Leverages world-class digital capabilities and access to leading testbeds, where we support solutions that enhance water management, water quality and regenerative water strategies.
In 2026 the host organization is Water Valley Denmark, acting as the regional hub for EIT Water North. Water Walley Denmark is a member organisation founded by leading Danish industry players. Water Valley Denmark co-create and accelerate solutions across industry, utilities, academia, and the public sector to address key water challenges and create real-world impact.
EIT Water South connects innovation ecosystems across the Adriatic-Ionian region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Tunisia). We collaborate across borders to advance sustainable development, blue economy innovation and practical deployment of new water, marine and maritime solutions.
In 2026, the EIT Water South host is DIH Innovamare, in collaboration with the Ruđer Bošković Institute – Croatia’s largest multidisciplinary research centre. Together they bring deep expertise in marine science, digital innovation and cross-border ecosystem development across the Adriatic and Mediterranean.
EIT Water UK & Ireland advances land-water-coast innovation across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. We bring together recognised strengths in wastewater treatment, flood management, biodiversity, soils, agriculture and coastal resilience to support integrated approaches to water, marine and maritime systems.
In 2026, the EIT Water UK & Ireland host is the University of Leeds, a leading centre for research and innovation in water quality, catchment science and marine and coastal systems. The regional hub builds on regional demonstrators and networks to accelerate technology deployment, support new businesses and deliver high-quality training.
EIT Water West strengthens water, marine and maritime innovation across Belgium, France, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. Based in a region shaped by major port and coastal cities, our regional hub focuses on water circularity, multi-use innovation and sustainable solutions for highly urbanised and industrialised environments.
In 2026, the EIT Water West host is Blue Cluster Belgium, a strategic maritime industry cluster driving collaborative innovation in offshore energy, blue biotech, blue tourism, coastal protection, pollution mitigation, smart shipping and maritime security. Through its extensive cross-border network, Blue Cluster connects research, industry, ports and public authorities to accelerate circular and blue economy solutions.
EIT Water will be supported in this process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. Applications should include a current CV and a cover letter setting out your interest and relevant experience.
The Regional Hub Manager (RHM) roles will be going live on a rolling basis. Listed below you will find the current live RHM positions. Should you wish to register your interest in a RHM role that is not yet listed as a live position please email [email protected]
EIT Water is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. This activity is funded by the European Union. EIT Water is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications without discrimination on any grounds.
From water scarcity and pollution to pressures on marine ecosystems, fisheries, and maritime infrastructure, challenges across fragmented aquatic systems in Europe are intensifying. Securing water and food systems, strengthening climate resilience, and safeguarding trade and critical infrastructure requires a fundamental shift in how these systems are designed, managed, and delivered.
This goes beyond coordination to the integration of innovation, investment, and real-world implementation across sectors and geographies at scale. EIT Water builds, develops and mobilises an innovation ecosystem to address these challenges. We connect ideas with investment to turn innovation concepts into scalable commercial ventures with real-world impact that drives economic activity, growth and supports climate resilience, circularity and ecosystem restoration.
EIT Water deliver impact through a coordinated, place-based framework that unites islands of excellence across Europe from source to sea and amplifies their collective impact.
Through three interconnected streams of activity, EIT Water accelerate Europe’s capacity to solve water challenges:
Our focus will be on tackling Europe’s most urgent water challenges. Specifically, our key focus will be on solving:
Europe’s water systems are under growing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, drought, flooding and ageing infrastructure. At the same time, innovation across the sector is fragmented, under‑funded and often slow to scale.
EIT Water was created to:
We will accelerate Europe’s transition to sustainable, resilient and inclusive water systems by enabling coordinated, place-based systemic innovation across regions and sectors.
A Europe where healthy water ecosystems drive economic opportunity, environmental protection and social wellbeing.
We are custodians — of public and private funds, of our partners’ trust, of Europe’s water future, and of this organisation beyond our own tenure. We take ownership, accountability, and responsibility for our decisions. We think in decades, not quarters. We build to last — competitive, resilient, and financially sustainable.
We trust each other — within our organisation and our partnership — to act with integrity and good judgment. This trust is reciprocal, hard-earned, and carefully maintained through transparency, directness, and keeping our commitments across the entire community.
Everything we do must create real value for Europe’s water, maritime, and marine (WMM) landscape — from source to sea — and strengthen European competitiveness. We drive impact within our organisation, on our employees, students, and all stakeholders. We measure what matters — including what can’t be easily quantified. If impact isn’t clear, we pause. We exist to make a difference, not to tick boxes.
We create psychological safety so everyone can dare to challenge the status quo, speak up when something isn’t right, and try new approaches. We move fast on reversible decisions, learn from failures, and support each other to take smart risks.
We achieve more together than apart by overcoming fragmentation — both internally and externally. We share knowledge freely, support each other across boundaries, and build credibility as one community — leadership, CLCs, and 150+ partners working as a whole, not as silos.
Our work is delivered through a network of regional hubs across Europe, connecting regional strengths to pan-European impact through place-based innovation ecosystems. Our regional hubs are:
The city of Aarhus is situated on the Eastern coast of Jutland, the larger peninsula of Denmark. The city is surrounded by coastline and beaches to the east, forests to the south, and beautiful hills with lakes and streams to the west. The city of Aarhus is home to more than 370,000 people, and around approximately 13% of the city’s population are students enrolled in higher education institutions. Aarhus has been ranked as the happiest city in the world in 2024 by the Happy City Index. This ranking takes into consideration the city’s commitment to, among other things, education, inclusive policies and environmental protection.
At the harbour in Aarhus, the House of Water is being developed as a global hub for water innovation, featuring test and demonstration facilities, strong partnerships across the knowledge triangle, and spaces dedicated to public engagement. The House of Water intends to provide office facilities that will provide future accommodation for EIT Water.
Further information:
https://international.au.dk/life/
https://www.visitaarhus.com/
As an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU framework programme for research and innovation, the Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, known as EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) among leading companies, research labs, and universities. Currently, nine EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities are supported: Climate KIC, 28DIGITAL, InnoEnergy, EIT Health, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Urban Mobility and EIT Culture & Creativity. EIT Water is the tenth EIT KIC.
Together with its leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services, and innovation-driven research projects.
Candidates who wish to appeal decisions made during recruitment procedures should write to the independent observer of the selection committee within five (5) working days of notification of the decision. The applicant must support their request by outlining the facts that they believe show that the action taken, or decision reached was incorrect. A request for review may be refused if the applicant cannot detail their request outlining the facts that they believe show the decision reached was incorrect. The outcome of the review must be notified in writing to the applicant within ten (10) working days of the review panel receiving the request. This decision is final. An appeal will be upheld only if there is evident irregularity in the selection process.
As Global Senior Partner, Sinéad is responsible for the long-term strategic development of Perrett Laver alongside the acceleration of its commercial growth.
During her ten years at Perrett Laver, Sinéad established and led the firm’s operations in Amsterdam and Dublin, while continuing to grow Perrett Laver’s Research, Technology and Innovation, and Higher Education practices across Europe.
Sinéad’s experience at Perrett Laver includes advising on senior executive and non-executive appointments for universities, public and privately funded research institutes, as well as research-oriented charities and non-profits.
Sinéad holds an honours degree in Natural Science from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD in Neuroscience from University College Cork.
Her senior level executive search experience includes Executive and Senior Academic and Administrative appointments in the Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Social Impact and Environment and Arts and Culture sectors. In addition, she has worked on multiple senior appointments in the intersection between academic organisations, arts and culture, and industry.
Emi holds a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from Utrecht University and a PhD in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging from the University of Groningen. Before joining Perrett Laver, Emi worked as a postdoc in Social Medicine at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam. Besides her academic commitments, she also represented the PhD community in Groningen and helped manage the communication platforms for a large conference.
Emi is fluent in English, Dutch & Albanian and speaks conversational Italian.
