Projects under the Strategic Opportunity Studies (SOS) program are internally directed initiatives that involve and engage international experts as well as Alberta leaders in a variety of initiatives to focus on a particular water issues from a policy or new direction/innovation point-of-view.
Projects funded through this program provide timely advice, or background, on emerging or urgent public policy issues which require further research or provide evidence based information and analysis for the development and analysis of public policy options within Alberta Water for Life Strategy.
The projects undertaken within this program area are specifically targeted to priority water issues in Alberta. In most cases the subject matter directly affects key decision-making departments within the Government of Alberta, as well as industry, business and stakeholder communities.
The projects are organized to be given oversight by a Steering Committee comprised of international, national and provincial experts in the relative domain. A Working Group with a dedicated Project Manager also includes provincial, national and international participants, but more specifically invites those with a stake in the outcome to participate. These projects, in addition to meeting the outcome objectives, are a significant capacity building opportunity for the Alberta participants in their ability to work with national and international experts in the domain.