Strengthening Dutch participation in European funding programmes: The MIFIW report
The Mapping International Financial Instruments for Water (MIFIW) report provides an overview of European funding opportunities with a special focus on the calls most relevant for the Dutch water sector. Commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and produced by the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), it supports organisations in identifying and accessing European programmes and financial instruments.
The report maps funding opportunities through which the Dutch water sector can contribute, participate and benefit, either directly or indirectly. It covers programmes supporting water-related innovation across all Technology Readiness Levels and explains how these instruments can be applied throughout the innovation cycle.
Alongside an overview of the European funding programmes landscape, particularly those supporting water and climate, the report provides practical guidance on identifying relevant calls, developing strategic European partnerships, building effective consortia, preparing stronger proposals, and increasing the visibility of Dutch organisations within European networks.The MIFIW study is intended for private companies, knowledge institutions, NGOs and public organisations seeking to expand or strengthen their involvement in European funding programmes and collaborative initiatives addressing water and climate challenges.
While these programmes may be well suited to many SMEs and other organisations, participation is generally more appropriate for those with sufficient administrative capacity to manage the often demanding application, coordination and reporting requirements, as well as the financial capacity to co-finance activities where required. Organisations with more limited internal resources may therefore find subcontracting, providing support within a consortium, or other indirect forms of participation more realistic than taking on a lead or partner role in funded projects. The opportunities identified in this report should therefore be assessed in light of each organisation’s operational, administrative and financial capacity.
