Discover our Project Partners

Academic excellence plays a central role in AQUAMAN’s development. The University of La Laguna (ULL), Spain contributes a multidisciplinary approach to water and tourism research, drawing on its leadership in EU-funded projects focused on resource management and digital innovation in hospitality. ULL has a strong track record in interdisciplinary research, which is crucial for addressing the complex issues of water scarcity & sustainable tourism. ULL can leverage its expertise in environmental science, engineering, social sciences & economics to provide holistic solutions. ULL has been actively involved in numerous EU-funded projects, demonstrating its ability to manage and execute large-scale international collaborations. Current relevant experience of the research team includes projects related to water and tourism management in touristic dominated islands.

  • Regeneration and Reuse of Wastewater with Valorization of Sewage Sludge in the Canary Islands: REGENERaGUA
  • H2020 MYRIAD project, Multi-hazard & Systemic Framework for Enhancing Risk-Informed Management and Decision Making in the EU
  • AquaSmart Hospitality, an innovative public-private initiative aimed at fostering water savings in the hospitality industry by leveraging advanced digital technologies & SHs’ collaboration.

The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece, via its Sanitary Engineering Laboratory, provides cutting-edge expertise in water reuse, non-conventional sources, and Nature-based Solutions. NTUA is the oldest and most prestigious educational institute of Greece in the field of Technology. NTUA will participate with the Sanitary Engineering Laboratory (SEL), which is engaged in extensive research in the field of wastewater treatment, disposal and reuse, water resources management, non-conventional water sources, Nature-based Solutions, nexus approach, water quality and process modelling, drinking water treatment, treatment, disposal and reuse of solid wastes, industrial waste management and environmental impact assessment. The SEL is accredited by Hellenic Accreditation System (E.SY.D) according to ISO 17025 for the determination of various pollutants in water, wastewater and sludge samples.  Over the last 5 years SEL has been funded with approximately 8 million€ by highly competitive European (Horizon, PRIMA, ERDF) and Greek research projects, including coordination of projects CARDIMED and HYDROUSA.

From Italy, Tor Vergata University of Rome (TOR-V), Italy adds strength through its Civil and Computer Engineering Department, supporting innovation in infrastructure and digital systems for sustainable development. The university brings vast EU project experience, aligning its research with AQUAMAN’s territorial and technological goals. OR-V was established in 1982. Its mission is to contribute to qualitative education and training, to scientific research and to the technological, organisational and social innovation needed to achieve a truly sustainable development in Italy, Europe and worldwide, pursuant to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With a personnel (professors, researchers, admin staff) of 2.315 people and more than 35.000 students/y. (bachelor, M.Sc./M.A. and one-cycle courses) and its numbers constantly growing, TOR-V ranks yearly among the 10 most important Italian Universities. It has implemented 295 EU projects. The Dept. of Civil Engineering & Computer Engineering involved in AQUAMAN was established in 2012 to unify in an innovative way two fundamental fields of Engineering: Information Engineering and Civil Engineering, so as to adapt to the future needs of design and management of modern territorial, urban and infrastructural systems.

The Energy and Water Agency (EWA), Malta contributes public policy and technical know-how in energy and water efficiency, with extensive EU project leadership in circular economy and sustainable tourism practices. EWA’s stakeholder-driven model enhances AQUAMAN’s real-world applicability. The Energy and Water Agency was set up as a national policy agency for the energy and water sectors in 2014.  The agency was tasked with the development of policy and management plans for the energy and water sectors across Ministries (and hence across sectors).  EWA therefore works closely with all the economic sectors in Malta supporting stakeholders in optimizing their use of energy and water resources through a sustained outreach programme. EWA has significant experience in the management of EU-funded projects having acted as Lead Partner in the Interreg MED Consumeless and Consumeless+ projects and as a Partner in the Interreg MED Incircle roject, all of which targeted circularity in the tourism sector.  In these projects EWA provided expertise in the fields of water conservation and efficient energy use.  Moreover, EWA through its Stakeholder Support Unit has been extensively involved in supporting the tourism sector in Malta through initiatives such as the GUEST Project.

Turismo de Portugal (TP) ensures alignment with national and regional tourism strategies, embedding sustainability in tourism development. TP’s initiatives, such as water efficiency labelling and sustainable resort guidelines, serve as policy anchors for the project. TP, as a National Tourist Authority, follows & monitors the drafting of tourism plans while promoting good practices to ensure the implementation of environmental efficiency requirements of tourist activities. It promotes Portugal as a sustainable destination. Some examples with a direct impact on the promotion of water efficiency, with the aim of supporting the structuring of an increasingly sustainable tourism offer, within the scope of the Tourism +Sustainable 20-23 Plan are the following:

  • Guide to Good Practices for Sustainable Construction in Tourist Resorts;
  • Analysis of Water Efficiency in Golf Courses in Portugal;
  • Technical Support Document;
  • Measures to Reduce Water Consumption (Clean & Safe Seal).

Finally, the Municipality of Ponza, Italy, a small Mediterranean island facing acute water scarcity, provides a living laboratory for AQUAMAN’s interventions. Ponza’s active involvement in EU environmental projects and its commitment to sustainability make it a crucial site for testing and applying innovative solutions. Ponza is a municipality of the Province of Latina in the Italian region of Lazio. It comprises the four islands of the western part of the Pontine archipelago in the Gulf of Gaeta (central Tyrrhenian Sea): Ponza itself, Palmarola, Zannone and Gavi. It has 3.100 inhabitants. The economy of Ponza is essentially based on fishing and tourism that presents a high peak in the summer months.

Tourism is flourishing due to the island’s unique position and beauty. The Municipality makes a huge effort towards sustainability & adoption of good environmental practices. It implements some national & international projects (i.e. Ponza Prima Med ALF project, PonDerat, Life project as Beneficiary with the objective to improve the state of conservation of species and habitats of the Ponziane Islands). The island is facing many challenges.

Together, this diverse partnership reflects AQUAMAN’s core ethos: cross-border collaboration to ensure the sustainable future of Mediterranean water resources and tourism economies. Each partner brings unique strengths, experience, and local perspectives, turning AQUAMAN Project into a dynamic and action-oriented initiative ready to shape real change.