The concerted action Harmoni-CA: Facilitating the dialogue and bridging the gap between research and the WFD implementation

This paper describes the role of Harmoni-CA, a concerted action supported in the fifth framework of the European research activities in the field of water (Water Key Action, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme). The objective of Harmoni-CA is to create a forum for communication, information exchange and harmonizing the use and development of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)-tools relevant to Integrated River Basin Management Plans (IRBMPs) and the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Since end 2003, Harmoni-CA links its activities with those initiated by DG Environment, CIS Working Group B (Integrated River Basin Management). As a result representatives of DG Env, DG RTD, Harmoni-CA/CatchMod, Joint Research Centre and WG2B leaders drafted a “scope paper” in order to start a discussion on the possibilities for strengthening the cooperation between RTD and those responsible for implementing the WFD. This paper describes some of the activities as proposed in the scope paper.