About Us
History
The birth of an idea
Inspired by the success story of reforming the water sector in Portugal and by the pressing needs of many countries around the world in this area, a small team from LNEC began to design LIS-Water in 2017. The project immediately received vast support and encouragement, mobilizing several dozen national, foreign and international entities, including the concerted support of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and from the Portuguese Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure, enhancing the connection between water, science and internationalization.
From idea to project
The initial idea took shape based on a project funded under the European Teaming program, which supports the creation of new centers of excellence for research and innovation in the most diverse areas. The European Commission approved LIS-Water's application, for a total value of €800,000, co-financed 50% by the European Commission and 50% by the then Ministry of the Environment.
The project was developed by < a href="http://www.lnec.pt/en/" target="_blank">National Civil Engineering Laboratory, in partnership with Cranfield University, from the United Kingdom, and Sorbonne Business School, in France. It also had the support of Portuguese Innovation Society. For 1 year, between September 2017 and August 2018, all preparatory studies were carried out with a view to creating LIS-Water, with special emphasis on the strategic plan and the economic and financial plan for its first 10 years of activity .
From project to practice
Consolidated the idea and defined a sustainability model, the LIS-Water association was formally constituted on March 12, 2020, immediately starting its activity, with the deed signed by the Laboratory National Institute of Civil Engineering, by the Foundation for Studies and Training in Local Authorities, by the Association of Portuguese Companies for the Environmental Sector and by the Portuguese Partnership for Water.

Acknowledgments
We would like to thank all the entities that supported us during the creation process of LIS-Water
