Analysis and evaluation of projects in the field of river basin management that are of potential use for the WFD implementation.   
To collect scientific knowledge, research results and demonstration projects; to select, based on established criteria, the projects for potential information 
useful for implementation of the WFD   
To analyse and evaluate the relevance and usefulness of the selected information with respect to the European WFD water policy, the policy implementation 
tasks and the related milestones in the implementation of the WFD   
To promote the obtained results to the end users, in particular in the context of the activities under the WFD Common Implementation Strategy (CIS)   
Dissemination activities through the use of a science-policy interfacing instrument in the context of the development of WFD river basin management plans 
  
To develop a science-policy interface linked to the WFD implementation, based on two components: a staffed communication-services centre and an operational 
WISE RTD Web-Portal   
To establish a reliable and user friendly science-policy interface, by filling the WISE-RTD Web Portal with information collected, analysed and linked 
with the WFD implementation tasks   
To disseminate the use of the WISE-RTD Web Portal, aiming to provide access to RTD and demonstration project information in the context of the development 
of WFD river basin management plans   
To involve existing related networks on river basin management in the establishment of the science policy interface   
Development of EU Water Initiative/WFD joint process activities for facilitating the implementation of integrated water resources management principles 
in non EU countries   
To review water policy experiences in non-EU countries and to compare with the current WFD practices; to perform a need assessment of 2 Mediterranean river 
basins   
To study the applicability of WFD practices to non-EU countries and to identify activities for facilitating its implementation in non-EU countries   
To disseminate the obtained results to non-EU countries 
            

Many current water-related RTD projects have already established operational links with practitioners, which allow the needs of policymakers to be taken 
into account. However, experience has shown that this interrelationship is not as efficient as it could / should be. Often, RTD results are not easily available 
to policy oriented implementer (policymakers) and, vice versa, research scientists may lack insight in the needs of policymakers. SPI-Water proposes a number 
of concrete actions to bridge these gaps in communication by developing and implementing a 'science-policy interface', focusing on setting up a mechanism 
to enhance the use of RTD results in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation.