University innovation to tackle water access challenges
The Challenge Based Innovation brings together interdisciplinary teams of students to develop, in collaboration with CERN, technologies that respond to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental human needs for health and well-being. However, in recent decades, water demand has increased even faster than population growth. According to UN data, half of the world’s population currently faces severe water scarcity for at least one month per year.
Without accelerated progress, billions of people will still lack access to these basic services by 2030. Population growth, urbanization, and rising water demand in the agricultural, industrial, and energy sectors are placing increasing pressure on water resources. Meanwhile, rising global temperatures due to climate change will only worsen the situation, affecting rainfall patterns and triggering extreme events such as droughts and floods.
As part of the latest edition of the Challenge Based Innovation (CBI) program, led by Fusion Point, interdisciplinary teams of students from the Esade Full Time MBA, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), and IED Barcelona collaborated with CERN to design innovative solutions that address the challenges of universal access to drinking water and sanitation. Now in its eleventh edition, the program has focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Six university teams, made up of 34 students from 14 nationalities—including participants from Esade’s Full-Time MBA—worked for 15 weeks on initial solution concepts for two specific water-related issues. The first challenge was how to use water more efficiently and sustainably in Barcelona, a global city with limited water resources. The second was to tackle the rising salinity levels in water due to climate change in Gambia.
Access to fresh water in Gambia
Freshwater salinization affects many regions worldwide, profoundly impacting ecosystems and the societies that depend on them. This is the case in the King West district of Gambia, where rural communities risk losing their livelihoods, which rely on farming, fishing, and oyster harvesting in the mangroves of the Gambia River. Additionally, relying on saline water sources poses potential health risks for the population.
In collaboration with the CSIC-IDAEA research group (SALBIA project) and the Sankandi Youth Development Association, and through joint efforts with Esade SUD – University Service for Development, this challenge encourages CBI students to support local communities by developing strategies for systemic adaptation.
 The mangrove ecosystem is the most affected by the salinization of the river. The Roots Kits is an initiative designed to support restoration efforts for this critical habitat by optimizing its natural resources. It consists of a DIY (do-it-yourself) environmental monitoring kit that enables users to geolocate and measure key factors such as soil pH and water salinity. The goal is to identify optimal locations for mangrove reforestation and select the most suitable species for each site. The project includes hands-on training modules that empower members of the local association to lead restoration efforts and share knowledge within their communities. This scalable and high-impact solution not only contributes to restoring mangrove ecosystems but also strengthens the resilience of affected communities. Following its final presentation in the CBI course, the project has been well received by key stakeholders on the ground, including the Sankandi Youth Development Association and the University of Gambia. Currently, the next steps for implementation are being planned. In July 2025, the student team behind the design will travel to Gambia to carry out knowledge transfer activities and launch The Roots Kits on-site. |
 Banku provides farmers with real-time weather updates via SMS and visual tools such as magnetic boards. The initiative also includes training programs on sustainable practices, partnerships with local governments and NGOs, and community engagement to enhance knowledge sharing. The goal is to reduce crop losses, increase farmers’ incomes, and ensure environmental sustainability to secure long-term food security. This project focuses on strengthening agricultural resilience in Gambia, where 75% of the population relies on farming and faces challenges such as unpredictable weather, limited access to technology, and a lack of training. |
 Designed as a global forum platform, Symbio connects experts from around the world with local community leaders. Using artificial intelligence, the platform provides real-time translations and meeting analysis, effectively summarizing discussions to overcome language and technical barriers. By bringing together expertise from different continents, the forum facilitates knowledge transfer, enabling communities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of water systems while promoting inclusive, data-driven decision-making. |
Measurement solutions for the city of Barcelona
In 2024, Catalonia experienced its worst drought on record. The regional government declared a state of emergency due to water scarcity, and more than 80% of the population—including the capital, Barcelona—faced consumption restrictions for several months.
The challenge tackled by CBI participants, in collaboration with Aigües de Barcelona—the company responsible for water supply—was to generate additional value through the analysis of urban water consumption data. The goal was to provide insights for more sustainable water use across different sectors, including industry and commerce, urban irrigation services, universities, hospitals, sports centers, and individual households.
 AquaXChange is a solution developed in collaboration with the government, leveraging Aigües de Barcelona’s smart water meters. Through financial incentives, the initiative encourages businesses operating in the city to reduce their water consumption and invest in external water-use solutions. These exchanges would be activated during drought periods to help companies lower costs, minimize their dependence on the city’s water reserves, and reduce inefficiencies. |
 Designed for sports facilities and gyms, AquaMist is an innovative showerhead that aims to reduce water consumption by up to 50% and energy use by 27%, which equates to an annual reduction of 8 tons of CO₂ in the city of Barcelona. The device features advanced light rain and misting systems and enables real-time water consumption tracking. It is activated through wristbands equipped with NGC technology, seamlessly integrating with existing gym applications to monitor individual water usage. |
 The tourism sector has significant potential for improving sustainable water use. Metrio is a solution designed to reduce water consumption in Barcelona by 15 to 20%. It is based on smart meters that track water usage in real time and features a gamified app aimed at encouraging guests to conserve water. The app allows users to compete in efficient water use and earn rewards. Meanwhile, hotels benefit from lower operating costs, enhanced sustainability credentials, and an improved guest experience. |