European Commission launched in 2009 so-called Joint Programming Initiatives (JPIs).

Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) are developed in a structured and strategic process where EU countries agree on a voluntary basis on common visions and Strategic Research Agendas (SRA) to address major societal challenges.

One of several JPIs is a JPI on “Water challenges for a changing world” (JPI Water) aiming to tackle the ambitious grand challenge of “Achieving sustainable water systems for a sustainable economy in Europe and abroad”.

Slovenia undertook the first steps to join this JPI Water in 2021, starting as an observer member.