NANAQUA emerges at the forefront of addressing the global water crisis, leveraging nanotechnology and nano(functionalized) materials (NMs) for cutting-edge water treatment solutions. In tackling the societal challenge posed by contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), NANAQUA addresses the risks these pollutants, including endocrine-disrupting compounds, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, and pharmaceuticals, pose to freshwater resources and ecosystems. With over 500 European monitoring sites reporting pollutant concentrations harmful to aquatic life, the urgency for effective solutions is clear. NANAQUA's approach transcends current wastewater treatment systems, which inadequately remove CECs, by integrating nanotechnology into (photo)chemical and biological degradation systems. NANAQUA's solution further involves developing smart nanosensors for real-time water quality monitoring and generating insights in toxicity of nanomaterials and CECs. This strategy promises a comprehensive improvement in water purification effectiveness, aligning with the EU's Water Reuse Regulation and supporting sustainable resource management. The project establishes the first European doctoral training network dedicated to NMs integration in water treatment, training 15 professionals through an international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary research program. This unique combination of training in (bio)chemical water treatment, materials science, (eco-)toxicology, and environmental sustainability assessment is pivotal for becoming experts in this field, granting highly valuable competencies for the job market. Environmentally, NANAQUA's long-term impact includes enhanced water treatment, reducing harmful CECs in aquatic systems, and thus protecting human health and promoting pollution-free habitats. Economically, it aligns with EU regulations, promising reduced costs, energy use, and job growth in the water treatment sector.

The consortium's mission is to radically improve the lives of people dependant on the use of tube (enteral) feeding. This is an under-served segment that experiences low patient satisfaction and high patient distress. Patients and clinicians alike agree that enteral feed patients’ needs are not being adequately met by current options. Over 1,000,000+ people in Europe and US are dependent on tube feeding every day, expected to increase by 8% over the next 3 years. Over 300 conditions require daily tube feeding, such as Cancer, MS, Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes. Mobility+ will transform the tube (enteral) feeding market by introducing a game-changing user-centric feeding system. Users in both home settings and hospitals demand simplicity, ability to feed discreetly when on the go, enhanced functionality and are looking for the tube feeding to be as normalised an experience as possible. Mobility+ is a complete solution that ensures the wellbeing of tube feeding users and provides new functionalities. It will replace existing cumbersome, complicated, expensive solutions utilising electricity driven pumps and it will disrupt existing business models of how enteral feed is sold and distributed. This consortium seeks funding through the H2020 Fast Track to Innovation Pilot Scheme H2020-EIC-FTI-2018-2020 programme to accelerate the commercialisation our innovative technology (currently at level TRL 6). We aim to transform and significantly improve care for patients requiring tube feeding. We have assembled a business focused consortium to achieve commercialisation in target markets by month 30 from project start.

<< Objectives >>The project proposes to:- Identify the labour market needs and food sustainability best practises within the food and health sector across partner countries - Evaluate digital competency training needs of food and health VET educators across Europe- Digitally upskill food and health VET educators in line with the DigiCompEdu framework- Develop and Implement training for VET educators on adapting food and health curricula to incorporate SDGs, food sustainability and digital competences<< Implementation >>The partners will apply a mixed methods approach utilising a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods throughout the project. Activities will include, data analysis, case studies, surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, networking events, document analysis and formal and informal interviews with stakeholders.3 Multiplier events: project results evaluation and dissemination 1 LTTA: develop, implement, evaluate Training Guide5 TNMS: project management and communication<< Results >>Report on Food and Health labour market needs informed by industry Evaluation of VET educators' digital competency training needs and teaching practices in food and health curriculaProduce:Infographic booklet on Europe's food sustainable prioritiesExtensive list of job opportunitiesInfographic booklet of digital resources Case studies of food sustainability best practices in partner countries Training guide for Food and Health VET educatorsPresent best practice and learnings from Covid

Extracellular vesicle (EVs) nanoparticles are the universal agents of intercellular and inter-organismal communication “made by cells for cells” to shuttle lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, EVs mediate physiological processes and help to spread various diseases, including cancer and infections. Their innate navigation performances take origin in the unique structure and composition of their membrane (which is to date inaccessible to synthetic mimics). The main goal of the BOW project is to explore and consolidate the technology able to impart biological surface precision, circulation and targeting abilities of EVs to superparamagnetic nanodevices (Magnetic Bead Devices, MBDs) by “dressing” them with a single- or multi-layer “wetsuit” of EV membrane “fabric”. This will proof and set a general, viable paradigm to recapitulate key biomimetic functions – including camouflage to the immune system and organ site/tumor targeting – to any synthetic nanodevice, while being disruptive as a first example of biogenic nanotechnology. If successful, such a non-incremental technology will promote the progress of implantable nanodevices and nanomaterials towards sustainable production and clinical translation, contributing to strengthen and keep in the lead position European biotechnology and impacting life quality for people. Major objectives include: (i) production high-grade EVs with biomimetic and organotropic functions, (ii) synthesis and functionalization of MBDs, (iii) engineering a microfluidic device for streamlined fabrication of EV membrane coated MBDs (evMBDs) (iv) evaluation of evMBD biological performances and nanotoxiciy in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo. BOW will be made possible thanks to a balanced ecology-biology-biophysics-chemistry-engineering matrix, of well-established and internationally recognized academics (7), high biotech SMEs (3), plus 1 innovation consulting, contributing to strengthen European pool of expertise and biotechnology innovation eco-system.

The intensification of extreme weather events, coastal erosion and sea-level rise are major challenges to be urgently addressed by European coastal cities. The science behind these disruptive phenomena is complex, and advancing climate resilience requires progress in data acquisition, forecasting, and understanding of the potential risks and impacts for real-scenario interventions. The Ecosystem-Based Approach (EBA) supported by smart technologies has potential to increase climate resilience of European coastal cities; however, it is not yet adequately understood and coordinated at European level. SCORE outlines a co-creation strategy, developed via a network of 10 coastal city ‘living labs’ (CCLLs), to rapidly, equitably and sustainably enhance coastal city climate resilience through EBAs and sophisticated digital technologies. SCORE will establish an integrated coastal zone management framework for strengthening EBA and smart coastal city policies, creating European leadership in coastal city climate change adaptation in line with The Paris Agreement. The Coastal City Living Lab (CCLL) is a new concept that expands the Living Lab approach to coastal cities and settlements. CCLLs will be set up to address specific climate challenges, and their effectiveness will be assessed by different stakeholders through innovative monitoring systems and cutting-edge modelling approaches. SCORE will develop CCLLs in a network of 10 cities which learn from each other in different frontrunner and follower roles. SCORE will involve citizen science in providing prototype coastal city early-warning systems and will enable smart, instant monitoring and control of climate resilience in European coastal cities through open, accessible spatial ‘digital twin’ tools. SCORE will provide innovative platforms to empower stakeholders’ deployment of EBAs to increase climate resilience, business opportunities and financial sustainability of coastal cities.