Open call for trainers to lead Water Academy organised in Spain, Italy, Greece

The call is open for skilled workshop trainers to lead the virtual Water Academy

Water scarcity is a growing challenge in Southern Europe and is expected to affect also other parts of Europe in just a few decades, particularly if no action is undertaken. According to research shared by the EU Commission, Europe could cut its overall consumption by up to 40%. The biggest opportunities to increase water efficiency lie in improving irrigation management, water recycling as well as repairing leaks in public supply networks. Sustainable water management is essential for several European key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, energy but also for the chemical, paper and food industries.

This is why four EIT Innovation Communities decided to join forces to collaborate in finding innovative solutions to water scarcity. This collaborative initiative is led by EIT Food, cooperating with EIT RawMaterials, EIT Climate, EIT Manufacturing.

So far, the initiative has conducted a series of workshops with experts to identify the most urgent water scarcity challenges with dedicated “Challenge labs” to look closer at some of the innovative solutions for sustainable and efficient water management.

Next step: Water Academy for stakeholders and the general public

As a next step, the project will organise an educational program gathering a wide range of stakeholders including local decision-makers, authorities, local companies (in particular SMEs), industry, students, farmers and the general public, in order to get them to contribute and help them better understand the complexity of the ecosystem and the global trends.

We are now looking for five skilled workshop trainers to lead the virtual Water Academy workshops locally in Greece (26 October 2020), Italy (5 November 2020), Spain (18 November 2020). Basic requirements are general knowledge of any of the five sectors related to Water Scarcity (agriculture and food, climate, manufacturing, raw materials), paired with good communication, presentation and animation/teaching skills. Selected trainers should be proficient in at least one local language, i.e. Greek, Italian, Spanish.

The Water Academy consists of three sessions (General session in the morning from 9:00 am – 12:00 am; three parallel break-out sessions from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm; closing session from 3:30 to 4:00 pm). The general session will emphasize the importance of the change needed for the whole business ecosystem. For the afternoon sessions, the participants will be split into groups based on their sector of activity. For the closing session, trainers from all the break-out sessions will be available for all the stakeholders to ask additional questions.

TRAINERS: DETAILED SELECTION CRITERIA & APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should testify of their competencies in at least three of the following areas:

Relevant research experience of 5 years within the sectors connected to Water Scarcity (agriculture and food, climate, manufacturing, raw materials).
Public or private consulting experience of 5 years related to Water Scarcity/Climate change/Circular Economy.
5 years of experience as policymaker or influencer related to Water Scarcity in Spain, Italy, Greece or at the EU level.
Professional business experience of 5 years related to water management/water solutions.
Previous experience with being selected as an Expert for the international programmes connected to Water Scarcity (PRIMA initiative, H2020, EIT, S3, Interreg, NEXUS).

In addition, applicants should have relevant expertise in one of the areas listed below and be prepared to deliver a presentation covering at least one of the five headlines.

Water Scarcity (60 min lecture and 45 min Q&A)

The trainer has to be available from 9 am – 10:45 am CET

Introducing the Water Scarcity problem to the general public
Implications of the water overuse with its consequences on other sectors – emphasizing the importance of matching water supply and demand
Prospects for the future without the action taken considering the economy and environment
Global innovation trends – monitoring schemes for water consumption and/or production (e.g. desalination, new irrigation systems, water reuse, aquifer recharge, atmospheric water generators, etc.)

Europe’s Green Deal (45 min lecture and 15 min Q&A)

The trainer has to be available from 11 am – 12 am CET

The objectives for the clean and circular economy
Plan of the EU to invest in environmentally-friendly technologies
EU action plan to support innovation
Plan of the EU to improve global environmental standards

Water Scarcity in Agriculture (60 min lecture, 30 min Q&A)

The trainer has to be available from 2 pm – 4 pm CET

Water Scarcity problem statements for the Agro sector
Innovative solutions for the Agro sector to manage Water Scarcity
Raising awareness of typical obstacles to the market introduction of innovations (re-skilling and new business plan for digitalization, )
Examples of the success stories can be presented if possible
Recommendation for the networking events and platforms

Water Scarcity in urban areas (60 min lecture and 30 min Q&A)

The trainer has to be available from 2 pm – 4 pm CET

Water Scarcity challenges affecting urban areas/consumers
Innovative solutions for the Urban sector/consumers
Raising awareness of typical obstacles to the market introduction of innovations (re-skilling and new business plan for digitalization,)
Examples of the success stories can be presented if possible
Recommendation for the networking events and platforms

Water Scarcity in the industrial sector (60 min lecture and 30 min Q&A)

The trainer has to be available from 2 pm – 4 pm CET

Water Scarcity problem statements for the Industry
Innovative solutions for the Industry
Raising awareness of typical obstacles to the market introduction of innovations (re-skilling and new business plan for digitalisation,)
Examples of the success stories can be presented if possible
Recommendation for the networking events and platforms

SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA

Each applicant will receive a score based on the:

Years of research /professional experience on Water Scarcity in Southern Europe (1 year of experience = 1 point)
Teaching/lecturing experience (2 points)
Scientific publication/ article on the topic related to Water Scarcity (each publication = 5 points, each article = 2 points)
Water-related innovation developed or introduced to the market (each solution = 5 points)
Previous experience with being selected as an Expert for the EIT Water Scarcity related projects (1 point)

The preselection will be executed by the committee of the two EIT Manufacturing representatives based on the score acquired and the professional fee required (Professional fee / Score = Selection indicator). The evaluation will be done based on the lowest selection indicator and the strongest professional background in accordance with the policy of best value for money and budget availability.

Final selection with the Cross-KIC team (5 committee members) will be completed on 7 August 2020.

Only the selected trainers will be notified by email on 10 August 2020 and will be provided with the contract details.

The professional fee will cover the working time and preparation of:

One online working session to align the final structure of the lecture
Preparation of the training materials (PPT presentation in a local language must be provided a minimum one week before the event), using the EIT branding and templates
Lecture Lectures delivered (according to a contract)

Other requirements/information

All the communication with the EIT representatives will be carried out in English.
The contract will be provided in English.
Trainers must have a stable internet connection during the Water Academy to provide a good quality of the video and audio transmission.
In case of sudden unavailability, each trainer has to propose a stand-in who is able to deliver the lecture in the same negotiated standard.