Impact Innovation: Mission strategic intervention for Water Balances within Water Wise Societies (Sweden)

Water Wise Societies is inviting applications for projects that develop a national, coherent, and decision-relevant system for water budgets and water accounting in Sweden. The programme provides up to SEK 20 million for four-year collaborative projects that improve knowledge of water availability, water use, groundwater and surface water management, and sustainable water governance.

Overview of the Water Wise Societies Water Accounting Call

The Water Wise Societies initiative under the Impact Innovation programme is supporting projects that establish a national framework for water budgeting and water accounting in Sweden.

The goal is to create a reliable and practical system that helps decision-makers understand:

Available water resources.
Water quality conditions.
Actual water use.
Surface water and groundwater balances.
Water abstraction, recharge, and consumption patterns.

The programme aims to strengthen sustainable water management by creating better tools, data systems, and governance structures.

Purpose of the Grant

The main purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop a national methodology platform for water balances and accounting.

The supported system should help Sweden:

Understand water availability at river basin level.
Improve water resource planning.
Support evidence-based decisions.
Identify water-related risks.
Strengthen sustainable water governance.

The initiative focuses on creating a coordinated approach that can be used across different regions and sectors.

Why Water Budgeting and Water Accounting Matter

Water resources are affected by climate change, increasing demand, and competing needs from different users.

A national water accounting system can help:

Track how much water is available.
Measure how water is used.
Identify areas facing water stress.
Support better allocation decisions.
Improve protection of groundwater and surface water resources.

Reliable water data is essential for sustainable water management and long-term planning.

Key Focus Areas of the Programme

Funded projects must address four core components.

1. Methodology Development

Projects should develop methods for:

Water balance calculations.
River basin-level assessments.
Measuring water availability and consumption.
Understanding groundwater and surface water interactions.

The methodology should support consistent water accounting across Sweden.

2. Data Infrastructure, IT, and Security

Projects should establish systems for:

Collecting water-related data.
Managing information securely.
Integrating different data sources.
Supporting digital water management tools.

Strong data infrastructure will enable reliable decision-making.

3. Governance, Roles, and Responsibilities

Projects should define:

Responsibilities among organisations.
Governance structures.
Coordination mechanisms.
Long-term management approaches.

Clear roles are required for maintaining a national water accounting system.

4. Risk, Cost, and Impact Assessment

Projects should evaluate:

Risks associated with water shortages.
Costs of different management approaches.
Consequences of taking action.
Consequences of inaction.

This information will help policymakers and stakeholders make informed decisions.

Funding Details

Selected projects may receive:

Maximum grant amount: SEK 20 million.
Project duration: Four years.
Number of projects funded: Two projects.

Successful projects will work closely with the:

Water Wise Societies Program Office

to support the programme’s mission and objectives.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is open to applicants from:

Academic institutions.
Public sector organisations.
Businesses.
Civil society organisations.

Applications must be submitted through a consortium.

Required Consortium Structure

The project team must include:

Minimum of 2 partners.
Maximum of 5 partners.

The consortium must include:

At least one public sector organisation.

The coordinating organisation and principal applicant must be:

A university.
A college.
A research institute.
A research authority.

The lead organisation must also be an approved administrating organisation eligible for all types of Formas calls.

Eligible Partner Types

Partners may include:

Academic Organisations

Examples include:

Universities.
Research institutes.
Higher education institutions.

Public Sector Organisations

Examples include:

Government agencies.
Regional authorities.
Municipal organisations.

Businesses

Companies with relevant expertise in:

Water technology.
Data systems.
Environmental solutions.

Civil Society Organisations

Organisations contributing knowledge, engagement, or implementation capacity.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Build a Consortium

Create a multidisciplinary partnership involving:

Research expertise.
Public sector knowledge.
Practical water management experience.

Ensure the consortium meets the required partner limits.

Step 2: Develop the Project Concept

The proposal should explain:

The current challenge in Swedish water management.
The proposed water accounting system.
Expected benefits for decision-making.
Contribution to Sustainable Water for All.

Step 3: Address the Four Required Components

Applicants should clearly describe plans for:

Methodology development.
Data infrastructure and security.
Governance structures.
Risk and impact assessment.

Step 4: Describe Collaboration Plans

Applicants should explain how they will:

Work with the Water Wise Societies Program Office.
Share knowledge.
Support long-term implementation.

Step 5: Submit Application

Applications will be reviewed through the programme’s assessment process.

Funding decisions are expected on:

17 November 2026

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Scientific and technical quality.
Relevance to national water challenges.
Strength of consortium collaboration.
Practical usefulness.
Ability to create a long-term national system.
Contribution to sustainable water management.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting applications without the required consortium structure.
Excluding public sector participation.
Focusing only on research without implementation plans.
Ignoring governance requirements.
Providing unclear data management strategies.
Failing to explain long-term system benefits.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen proposals by:

Combining research expertise with practical implementation knowledge.
Clearly defining roles among partners.
Explaining how data systems will support decision-making.
Demonstrating national relevance.
Including realistic approaches for long-term maintenance.
Showing alignment with Water Wise Societies missions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Water Wise Societies water accounting grant?

It is a funding opportunity supporting projects that develop a national system for water budgets and water accounting in Sweden.

How much funding is available?

Selected projects can receive up to SEK 20 million.

How long can projects run?

Projects must have a duration of four years.

How many projects will receive funding?

Two projects will be selected under this call.

Who can apply?

Academic organisations, public sector organisations, businesses, and civil society organisations can participate through eligible consortium applications.

Does the lead applicant need to be a university or research organisation?

Yes. The coordinating organisation and principal applicant must be an approved academic organisation eligible to administer Formas-funded projects.

When will funding decisions be announced?

Funding decisions are scheduled for 17 November 2026.

Conclusion

The Water Wise Societies Grant provides a major opportunity to build a national water budgeting and accounting system for Sweden. By combining research, technology, governance, and stakeholder collaboration, funded projects will help improve water resource management, strengthen decision-making, and support the transition toward sustainable water systems.