10. Water Technology Innovation Program

Within the field of water technology, solutions are required on a worldwide scale. Through the Water Technology Innovation Program the Dutch government promotes the development and distribution of Dutch water technology in the areas of drinking water and industrial water supply, waste water treatment, sensoring and monitoring technology, and interaction with the environment. The Water Technology Innovation Program supports innovations being created by companies (including
SMEs) and research institutes. The goal of the program is to decrease the time to market for new innovative technologies and export them more quickly. In order to speed up the innovation cycle, better collaboration is needed in research, development and application in the domestic market as well as the eventual export of Dutch water technology.

This programmatic approach to innovation is complemented by the national ‘Peaks in the Delta’ initiative which, along with decentralized governments, establishes an integrated approach for regional hot spots in water technology. This in turn fosters the valorization, facilitation and extension of the knowledge community as well as human capital development. In addition, the Dutch water technology sector aims to provide the innovations necessary for implementing the Water Framework Directive and realizing the Millennium Development Goals. The 2006-2011 programme budget is 80 million euros. The northern regional budget is currently the most relevant portion of ‘Peaks in the Delta.’ This budget amounts to 80 million euros for 2007-2010 and needs to be divided among four ‘peaks,’ with water technology and sensoring technology being the most pertinent areas in this context.

International ambition :

• The Dutch water technology sector aims to realise growth which is at least equal to growth on a global level. This means a doubling of the export turnover of 2006
• The four relevant technology clusters (see below) are among the leading clusters worldwide.
• The Dutch water technology sector strives to contribute to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals.