This agreement, which replaces the one signed in 2020, updates and expands the collaboration framework between the participating entities, consolidating DESAL+ Living Lab as the international reference platform in the industrial water sector in Macaronesia.
A joint commitment to innovation in desalination
The agreement has been signed by the Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of La Laguna (ULL), the Gran Canaria Economic Promotion Society (SPEGC), and the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC), which will act as coordinator.
The signatory entities recognize themselves as key agents in promoting research, innovation, and technology transfer in the fields of water management, the blue economy, and circular economy in the region.
A crucial platform for the sustainability of the Archipelago
DESAL+ Living Lab was launched in 2017 within the framework of the European DESAL+ project, under the INTERREG MAC 2014-2020 program, with the aim of creating a transnational platform of excellence for research in desalination and energy. Macaronesia — particularly the Canary Islands — hosts the highest density of desalination plants in the world, essential for supplying water to the population as well as to the tourism, agricultural, and industrial sectors.
The experience accumulated in the first five years of operation has allowed the platform to expand its horizons and identify new strategic areas of interest, which will now extend its scope to areas such as water governance, digitalization, wastewater treatment, and the circular economy.
Key updates in the new Framework Cooperation Agreement
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A reinforced governance structure, comprising a Steering Committee, a Technical Committee, and a Coordinating Entity — a role that will continue to be fulfilled by the ITC.
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A membership model for new entities interested in joining as affiliated, associated, or collaborating members.
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A common framework for developing activities, projects, and R&D&i strategies in the industrial water cycle.
A step forward for the scientific and technological cohesion of the region
With this new Framework Agreement, the five institutions reaffirm their commitment to applied research, real-world experimentation, and knowledge transfer to the productive sector. DESAL+ Living Lab will continue to operate as a strengthened public-private collaborative space — open, international, and oriented toward generating innovative solutions for island territories and decentralized systems.
Key achievements of DESAL+ Living Lab since its launch
Since its creation in 2017, DESAL+ Living Lab has built a track record of success, driven largely by the 39 collaborating entities involved. Among the most notable milestones are the funding of 12 R&D&i projects and the execution of 13 specialized services, which have secured €16.14 million in direct funding and €23.9 million in indirect funding. This momentum, together with the 19 desalination plants integrated into the various test areas, has resulted in strong scientific output, with over 70 publications by project researchers. Additionally, 32 scientific-technical events and 32 training activities have been organized, benefiting more than 2,600 participants in total.
Official publication
The Framework Cooperation Agreement of the joint R&D&i platform in desalination, “DESAL+ LIVING LAB,” has been published in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands:https://sede.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/boc-a-2025-235-4031.pdf
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