CFPs: Impact Innovation – Price and Value Models for Sustainable Water for All (Sweden)

Water Wise Societies is inviting applications for collaborative projects that develop innovative price and value models for water to support sustainable water management in Sweden. The programme provides up to SEK 1.5 million for multi-partner projects that create economic incentives for water conservation, circular water systems, and long-term sustainable water use.

Overview of the Water Wise Societies Innovation Call

The Water Wise Societies initiative supports projects that explore new ways of understanding, valuing, and pricing water to accelerate sustainable water management in Sweden.

The call is part of the Impact Innovation initiative and focuses on developing practical and conceptual models that can improve how water resources are managed across the entire source-to-coast water system.

The programme encourages collaboration between research institutions, businesses, public organisations, and civil society actors to create solutions that support the transition toward Sustainable Water for All.

Purpose of the Grant

The main goal of the programme is to develop innovative approaches to water pricing and valuation that encourage responsible water use.

Supported projects should help create:

• Better economic incentives for efficient water consumption.
• Stronger investment opportunities for sustainable water systems.
• Increased water circularity and reuse.
• Improved understanding of water value.
• More effective water conservation strategies.
• Long-term approaches to sustainable water management.

The initiative recognises that pricing and value systems can influence behaviour and support the transformation of water systems.

Why It Matters

Water challenges require new approaches that combine environmental sustainability, economic thinking, and innovation.

Traditional water management models may not fully address:

• Increasing water demand.
• Climate-related pressures.
• Resource scarcity.
• The need for circular water systems.
• Long-term infrastructure investments.

Innovative value and pricing models can help communities and organisations use water more efficiently while ensuring that water resources remain available for future generations.

Key Focus Areas

Projects supported through this call should contribute to one or more Water Wise Societies missions.

Priority areas include:

Smart Water Use

Projects may develop models that encourage:

• Efficient water consumption.
• Reduced unnecessary water use.
• Behavioural changes through economic incentives.

Water Circularity

Projects should explore approaches that support:

• Water reuse.
• Resource recovery.
• Circular water systems.

Sustainable Investments

Projects may focus on:

• Financial models for water infrastructure.
• Long-term investment incentives.
• Sustainable water system development.

Water Quality Matching

Projects should support the principle of:

• Using water of the right quality for the right purpose.

This includes improving understanding of how different water qualities can be valued and managed.

Knowledge Development

Projects should strengthen knowledge about:

• Water pricing mechanisms.
• Economic incentives.
• Value creation in water systems.
• Transition pathways toward sustainable water management.

Funding Amount and Duration

Successful projects may receive:

• Maximum funding: SEK 1.5 million.
• Project duration: Minimum 1 year and maximum 2 years.
• Total available budget: SEK 10 million.
• Maximum aid intensity for economic activities: 65%.

Projects should include plans for testing and further developing proposed models within the Swedish context.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is open to collaborative projects involving multiple organisations.

Applicants must form a partnership consisting of:

• Minimum of 2 partners.
• Maximum of 6 partners.

The partnership must include organisations with knowledge and influence over price and value systems within the source-to-coast water system.

Required Partnership Structure

Eligible project teams must include:

Research Partner

At least one partner must be:

• A university.
• A higher education institution.
• A state-influenced research institute.

This organisation will also act as the fund manager.

Non-Academic Partner

At least one partner must represent:

• Business.
• Public sector.
• Civil society.

This ensures projects combine research knowledge with practical implementation perspectives.

Project Requirements

Successful proposals should demonstrate:

• Clear relevance to sustainable water management.
• Development of innovative pricing or valuation models.
• Collaboration between different sectors.
• Potential for real-world application.
• Plans for testing and improving proposed models.

Projects should align fully or partially with the system dimension:

“Money and Value.”

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Build a Multi-Partner Consortium

Create a project team with:

• Research organisations.
• Businesses, public organisations, or civil society partners.
• Experts connected to water systems and economic models.

Step 2: Develop the Project Concept

The proposal should explain:

• The water challenge being addressed.
• The proposed pricing or value model.
• How the model supports sustainable water use.
• Expected environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Step 3: Prepare a Testing and Development Plan

Applicants should describe:

• How the model will be tested in Sweden.
• How results will be evaluated.
• How the solution can be improved or expanded.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Applications will be assessed through the Water Wise Societies programme evaluation process.

Funding decisions are scheduled for:

• 15 February 2027

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on factors such as:

• Innovation potential.
• Contribution to sustainable water management.
• Quality of collaboration.
• Practical relevance.
• Ability to test and develop solutions.
• Alignment with Water Wise Societies missions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without the required multi-partner structure.
• Focusing only on theory without practical application.
• Failing to explain how models will be tested.
• Ignoring collaboration between research and non-academic sectors.
• Proposing solutions unrelated to water value or pricing systems.
• Providing unclear project outcomes.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen proposals by:

• Clearly connecting the project to sustainable water challenges.
• Demonstrating expertise across sectors.
• Explaining how pricing models can influence behaviour.
• Including realistic testing plans.
• Highlighting long-term benefits for Swedish water systems.
• Showing how the project supports the Sustainable Water for All mission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Water Wise Societies grant?

The Water Wise Societies grant supports collaborative projects developing innovative models for valuing and pricing water to improve sustainable water management in Sweden.

How much funding can projects receive?

Selected projects can receive up to SEK 1.5 million.

How long can projects run?

Projects must last between one and two years.

Who can apply for this funding?

Applications must come from multi-partner teams of 2–6 organisations, including research institutions and at least one business, public sector, or civil society partner.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports projects developing water pricing and value models that promote conservation, circularity, sustainable investment, and efficient water use.

Is international participation allowed?

The call focuses on Swedish water systems and requires eligible partnerships connected to Sweden. Applicants should follow the programme’s specific eligibility requirements regarding project partners.

When will funding decisions be announced?

Funding decisions are expected on 15 February 2027.

Conclusion

The Water Wise Societies Innovation Call provides an opportunity for researchers, businesses, public organisations, and civil society groups to redesign how water is valued and managed. By supporting innovative pricing and value models, the programme aims to encourage sustainable water use, strengthen circular water systems, and accelerate Sweden’s transition toward Sustainable Water for All.