Water Europe
Annual Report
2023-2024
Building a Water-Smart Society in practice
Hans Goossens
Water Europe President
Durk Krol
Water Europe Executive Director
2023-2024 has been a special year for Europe and water. The European elections 2024 have now taken place, soon to be followed by the installation of the new European Commission and all that it entails. At the same time, the water crisis and its impacts can no longer be ignored, resulting in water emerging as a key priority in the political arena across Europe and beyond.
To build a Water-Smart Society in practice, we need to work at all levels, from the European to the national, regional and local. That’s why, over the previous period, we translated the executive summary of our Water Vision in all official European languages, we launched our new atlas for the Water-Oriented Living Labs and we produced an updated version of the WE Marketplace.
We have been delivering results on various fronts: the coordination of the development of a joint letter on behalf of 30 organisations, urging the European Commission to deliver the Water Resilience Initiative, the preparation of our annual events, as well as our strong participation in the Water Conference 2024 of the Belgian EU Presidency. Our message, then and now, was loud and clear: there is enough awareness, but now it’s time for actions to speak.
In our manifesto, we advocate for an EU Water Strategy and an associated Action Plan, a more holistic approach to water by the nomination of an EU Vice-President, and funding opportunities to drive the transition to a European Water-Smart Society. A key asset in this endeavour will be a “Socio-economic study on the value of the EU investing in water” that we will deliver this summer.
Overall, the work we are doing these months holds great promise for the European water sector and can contribute to our collective growth and success. Achieving our vision of a Water-Smart Society is not a quick fix and requires passion, perseverance, and daily results. Through our dedicated programmes and the collaborative efforts of our whole Water Europe community, we continue to advance towards a Water-Smart Society. Explore this year’s journey below.
Timeline
Why do we need a Water-Smart Society?
Our Water-Smart Society Vision Available in 25 Languages
WE advocate
In 2023-2024, the key objective of the advocacy programme was to make water a key topic in the EU public arena by cooperating with the European Economic and Social Committee as well as the Committee of Regions. With the announcement of the Water Resilience Initiative (WRI) a first step was made towards a Water-Smart Europe.
Now, we need to collectively maintain the momentum as the WRI has been put on hold. Together with our members, Water Europe aimed to call for a strong EU leadership for water. These actions were particularly visible through our mobilisation over the years, especially by disseminating our Manifesto during the COP28, the Belgian Presidency Water Conference and the EU Green Week 2024.
It was the year that we finalised the ambitious revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Nevertheless, more actions are required for recognising the socio-economic value of water as the recast of the Industrial Emissions Directive stressed.
Key activities
Water Europe was actively involved in the discussion on the well-known EU Blue Deal with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The cooperation with this European institution over the last two years has been highly fruitful in raising awareness about water, particularly for industrial uses, such as in Sofia with local water-related actors.
The newly released opinion of the EESC on the best practices for industrial actors is a reminder of the importance to achieve a Water-Smart Society in a water-resilient world by mobilizing all the economic actors in Europe and beyond.
The recast of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive began in October 2020 with the Joint Coalition on Access to Sanitation. Water Europe advocated for an ambitious, green, circular, and smart directive. Throughout the process, Water Europe developed several positions in accordance with the political context and in collaboration with its partners:
The recast of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive began in October 2020 with the Joint Coalition on Access to Sanitation. Water Europe advocated for an ambitious, green, circular, and smart directive. Throughout the process, Water Europe developed several positions in accordance with the political context and in collaboration with its partners:
Loïc Charpentier has been appointed expert to Mr. Viola (S&D, FR) rapporteur of the Committee of Regions (CoR) for the opinion named ‘Towards a resilient water management to fight the climate crisis within an EU Blue Deal.’ As the Water Resilience initiative has been put on hold indefinitely, Water Europe welcomes the work of the CoR to mobilise local and regional authorities (LRAs) on this topic.
Water Europe’ community was particularly involved in the process. With 10 recommendations for the EU Commission, the opinion is expecting to be voted in plenary in June following the unanimity vote in the ENVE section of the CoR. A follow-up discussion is already planned with the ARLEM group (LRAs of the mediterranean area) on the 2nd July in Carcassone, under the Green Week.
Water Europe at COP28 🌍
Climate change manifests itself primarily through water.
COP28 took place in December 2023 in Dubai, during which representatives of more than 195 nations and international engaged in crucial climate negotiations. Water Europe, together with its members, played their part in placing water as the element to tackle the climate crisis. Through a series of dedicated activities at the Water for Climate Pavilion, and other pavilions, Water Europe organized and participated in 10 sessions positioning water at the heart of the discussions.
COP28 Key Messages
-The climate crisis is primarily a water crisis.
-A secure, sustainable and resilient water system is not just an option. It’s the only way forward. We should now progress towards a Water-Smart Society building on the EESC Call for a Blue Deal and the Water Resilience Initiative of the European Commission for moving towards an EU water strategy.
-Water is a key enabler for a circular economy.
-Water is at the core of adaptation but also key for mitigation. The water sector is responsible for 2% of the global carbon emissions, similar to the shipping industry.
Watch our COP28 events on YouTube
Joint letter with 30 organisations calling for the European Water Resilience Initiative
In March 2024, a diverse coalition of European organisations joined forces to call upon the European Commission to implement the Water Resilience Initiative as soon as possible, marking a crucial first step towards an ambitious water strategy for Europe. In an open letter addressed to the European Commission, the coalition emphasised the indispensable need for a water-resilient Europe in light of the escalating pressures on the continent’s freshwater resources, intensified by the impacts of climate change.
The coalition stressed that water stands at the centre of the economic, societal, and environmental sustainability of Europe. A secure, sustainable and resilient water system is not just an option. It’s the only way forward. We should now progress towards a Water-Smart Society building on the EESC Call for a Blue Deal and the Water Resilience Initiative of the European Commission for moving towards an EU water strategy.
On the 12th of March 2024, Water Europe’s president Hans Goossens presented our Water-Smart Society model and our manifesto for the EU elections, highlighting the value of water for our society, economy, and biodiversity. During the conference, a coalition of 30 European organisations joined forces to call upon the European Commission to deliver the Water Resilience Initiative as soon as possible, marking a crucial first step towards an ambitious water strategy for Europe.
Do we need a water strategy? What do the other economic sectors say?
Do we need a water strategy? What do the other economic sectors say?
WE Collaborate
By supporting the clustering of water-related topics in EU-funded Research and Innovation programmes and promoting research on innovative solutions, the Collaboration Programme has actively contributed to addressing water challenges over the past year. It has tangibly highlighted R&I priorities and pressures for the upcoming Horizon Europe work programmes, advancing the goals of water sustainability, security, and resilience.
The Collaboration Programme followed up the works of the 15 WGs of Water Europe and proactively supported and worked in the past year in 15 EU funded projects participated by Water Europe.
Over 2023, two white papers were released by the Working Groups Water Beyond Europe and Water and Health. In 2024, the Vision Leadership Team on Water-Smart Industry released its white paper with the aim to highlight the gaps and opportunities to create a water-smart industry for Europe.
The ZeroPollution4Water Cluster is created
The ZeroPollution4Water Cluster was launched in December 2023, as a collaborative force stemming from seven sister projects funded by the European Union: NINFA Project, ToDrinQ EU, Mar2protect, H2OforAll, SafeCREW, UPWATER and intoDBP EU. The focus of the Cluster is on safeguarding water sources against pollution, advancing monitoring and treatment solutions, and protecting groundwater and drinking water quality against the challenges of global and climate change. The Cluster created 6 working groups covering topics from policy development to innovation and technology. Water Europe is the management body of the Cluster and is supported and endorsed in these efforts by the EC REA.
The 1st ZeroPollution4Water Cluster Policy brief is published
In March 2024, the policy Working Group of the ZeroPollution4Water Cluster, led by Loic Charpentier (Water Europe) and Daniela Meilmann (DHV-med) issued its first joint policy brief on zero pollution assessing the benefits of the different projects and promoting the first outcomes of intoDBP and H2OforAll projects about DBPs management. This policy brief is more than welcomed not only in the discussion on the zero-pollution strategy of the European Commission, but also for the cooperation with the Zero Pollution working group of Water Europe.
Key events
The Collaboration Programme organised 8 R&I projects related events such as several editions of Water Projects Europe and webinars aimed at clustering projects, capitalising experiences and building dialogue between projects partners, the European Commission, and relevant stakeholders.
The 2023 edition of Water Knowledge Europe (WKE) organised in November 2023 was one of the most successful ones with almost 200 participants and 16 speakers. WKE2023 also hosted sides event such as the ZP4W Cluster WPE first public event, the info day on the future Water KIC, and the Workshop on future Horizon Europe Water priorities.
WE implement
Over this year, the Implementation programme has kept on building upon the insights and solutions generated through collaboration. Rooted in the visionary model of the Water-Oriented Living Labs, the Implementation programme has fostered the real-world application of innovations, involving stakeholders from various business, research, civil society public authorities.
The Water4all Partnership and the enhanced WE Marketplace have been key on driving tangible progress towards the realization of the WE Vision and the innovative concept of WE Living Labs (WELLs).
Join the Water Europe Marketplace
The first-of-its-kind platform for uploading water-related products or calls for solutions, completely free of charge.
The Water Europe Marketplace is an online platform for Circular Economy solutions and systems in the domains of water, energy, and materials that matches supply with demand.
Through the Water Europe Marketplace you can launch and promote your market-ready innovative solutions by uploading them in the products section. Register here for the Water Europe Marketplace and upload your product or call for solution.
Water Europe’s participation at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali marked a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing the principles of the Value of Water and the Water-Smart Society on a global scale. The highlight of our engagement was the showcase in the Water4All partnership, and the participation as speaker to four key sessions of the Forum. By advocating for circular economy principles, we emphasised the WE’s Vision based on the Value of Water for a Water-Smart Society, where water is valued, and water ecosystems are resilient, secure, sustainable, and accessible to all.
In the context of the Water4All partnership, the Atlas of Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) was launched during the World Water Forum in Bali on the 22nd of May. This new publication represents the collective commitment to advancing water resilience and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration. Through strategic initiatives such as these, we work to accelerate progress towards a Water-Smart Society, where water resources are managed efficiently, sustainably, and equitably for the benefit of all inhabitants of our planet.
In the framework of the B-WaterSmart, ULTIMATE and WATER-MINING projects, several WOLLs event have been carried out in Livorno (Italy), Bøda (Norway), Alicante (Spain), Athens (Greece) and Lisbon (Portugal). The latter on 22nd March 2024 celebrated the World Water Day and the affiliation of the Lisbon WOLL to the Network of WOLLs in Water4All. New WOLLs event are being organised in East Frisia, Mechelen, and Venice in June and July.
Water Market Europe
Water Market Europe was organised in Brussels in March 2024 with 24 speakers presenting challenges and solutions. A very successful edition of Water Market Europe Roadshow focused on resource recovery was also hosted in Venice in December 2023.
WE communicate
Informing, engaging and connecting with 50K contacts through our communications efforts
+30.000
Followers on our social media
+20.000
Subscribers in our mailing lists
+72 subcribers
268 total subscribers
+637 followers
6.676 total followers
+5.504 Followers
21.120 total followers
+325 Followers
1,243 total followers
New LinkedIn Group Launched: International Community for Water Cooperation, Partnerships and Dialogues
On the suggestion of our WG Water Beyond Europe, a dedicated LinkedIn group was created after the UN2023 Water Conference to foster collaboration and partnerships among individuals passionate about achieving the UN Water Action Agenda.
Year-Long Water-Smart Society Campaigns
WE involvement in
EU-funded projects
Water Europe facilitates its members’ involvement into EU research projects, and supports their outreach activities, providing communication, dissemination, policy, clustering and networking services to projects that are in line with Water Europe Vision and have at least one Water Europe member in their consortium.
Water Europe Community:
United by guiding principles
Collaborative approach
We believe in the power of networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across the entire water value chain.
Financially & economically sustainable approach
We believe in solutions and approaches that encompass a good balance between the cost and the societal, economic and environmental value that they generate.
Societal responsibility
We embrace a holistic and systems approach in addressing the water challenges, driven by its WE vision, that benefit society at large.
Evidence-based & technology-neutral approach
We focus on results, and our activities are driven by the latest research, broad expertise available in the pool of the Water Europe community, and the outcomes of EU research and innovation projects.
Ambitious & pragmatic approach
We are ambitious in our objectives and pragmatic when it comes to the implementation and execution of every single step that can lead to achieving our vision for a Water-Smart Society.