Promoting SMART agricultural WATER management in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The main objectives of SMARTWATER are: 1) to reinforce the networking, research and innovation capacities of the University of Banja Luka (UNI-BL), University of Sarajevo (UNSA) and other institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of sustainable agricultural water management; and 2) to increase their competences and fund-rising skills for a successful participation in the EU Research and Innovation Programs.

The project will develop a large set of joint activities promoting networking, joint experimental fields, research cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experts on specific topics, which are compatible with the overall national research strategy and include the application of smart technologies (cloud-based and remote sensing) in agricultural water management, optimization of water-energy-food nexus and climate change impact and adaptation measures.

SMARTWATER foresees the publication of joint research documents in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

The project will provide technical assistance and expertise to improve research and innovation capacities of BH institutions and delineate adequate national research strategies and policies for the future.

The project will boost the S&T capacity through a series of capacity building actions focusing mainly on the early stage researchers.

These include advanced training courses, participation in a joint MSc program, summer schools and hands-on workshops on R&I funding.

A modern scientific strategy for stepping up and stimulating scientific excellence and innovation capacity will be outlined following a multi-stakeholder participatory approach.

An effective communication and dissemination strategy for the adequate promotion of twinning activities and ensuring the expected impacts at regional, national, EU and global level will be adopted.

The activities will be carried out in collaboration with three reputed EU international research partners (CIHEAM-IAMB, CSIC and ISA), and SME.