D1.3 Strategy for RI Sustainability and Community Development

This document is a deliverable of the Co-UDlabs project, funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101008626. The aim of this document is to: long-term development and integration of research infrastructure across Europe The deliverable presents the strategic vision of Co-UDlabs for ensuring the long-term sustainability and development of research infrastructures (RIs) in the field of Urban Drainage Systems (UDS) across Europe. Co-UDlabs has successfully brought together 17 high-level RIs and a diverse community of researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders. Through extensive networking, training, Transnational Access (TA), and dissemination activities, the project has laid the groundwork for a collaborative European ecosystem of UDS research and innovation.The strategy outlined in this report builds on lessons learned throughout the project and addresses key priorities, including increasing visibility and accessibility of RIs, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, enhancing knowledge exchange, and identifying future funding pathways. Co-UDlabs also led the formation of the UDRAINWorking Group within the JCUD, which seeks to consolidate global efforts in UDS RIs through a dedicated atlas and shared standards and new training and collaborative funding opportunities. By engaging with EU and national communities, building partnerships with industry and utilities, and exploring new funding mechanisms—such as ESFRI, ERIC, and Open Science initiatives—Co-UDlabs charts a path toward a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven network of urban drainage RIs that responds to real-world challenges in climate resilience, public health, and environmental protection.