What is the main focus of your Expert Group?
The goal of the International Cooperation Expert Group is to strengthen cross-border collaboration and advance international partnerships in water management by aligning European efforts with global initiatives. Building on Water Europe’s vision for a Water-Smart Society, the group aims to support sustainable water governance, equitable access, and water resilience through strategic cooperation across countries, institutions, and sectors. Emphasising mutual learning and inclusivity, the Expert Group promotes the sharing of knowledge, co-creation of solutions, and the fostering of water diplomacy to address common challenges and support the delivery of global water-related commitments.
What are the opportunities and challenges in your field that the Expert group is addressing?
The Expert Group on International Cooperation is responding to the growing need for cross-border collaboration in addressing global water challenges. As water resilience and sustainable management become increasingly critical, the group recognises the importance of aligning European expertise with international agendas to enhance impact and coherence. Fragmented efforts, limited coordination across regions, and uneven access to resources often hinder progress toward shared water goals. In this context, there is a pressing need to strengthen partnerships, harmonise approaches, and create consistent avenues for dialogue and action.
At the same time, the group sees important opportunities to connect European actors with global counterparts through initiatives such as the EU’s Global Gateway, international policy platforms, and multilateral networks. By promoting mutual learning, advancing water diplomacy, and mobilising expertise and innovation, the group aims to foster inclusive and climate-resilient solutions. Engagement with organisations such as the OECD, UN-Water, AMCOW, the African Union, and the World Bank offers pathways to expand knowledge exchange, co-develop initiatives, and secure funding for collaborative projects. In doing so, the Expert Group seeks to position Europe as a key player in shaping sustainable, globally integrated water futures.
How does your Expert Group plan to achieve its goals, and how will it contribute to Water Europe’s Vision of a Water-Smart Society?
The International Cooperation Expert Group will serve as a platform to facilitate international dialogue and the exchange of best practices, while supporting the mobilisation of European expertise and innovation in water management. It will foster stronger linkages between European actors and their global counterparts, enhancing the coherence and impact of European engagement in international water policy processes, research collaboration, and development programming. As part of these efforts, the group will lead with water Europe the organisation and delivery of the annual International Water Dialogues Event (IWDE). Through these coordinated actions, the group aims to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, improve transboundary water governance, and support inclusive, climate-resilient water solutions worldwide
The expert group will also advance collaborative innovation through the preparation and submission of a Horizon Europe (HEU) proposal. This includes identifying relevant calls, gathering a core team of committed organisations, coordinating proposal development, and successfully submitting the application in alignment with the group’s thematic focus and strengths.
Aligning with international water agendas, the Expert Group will actively engage with key organisations such as the OECD, UN-Water, AMCOW, the African Union, the World Bank, and the World Water Forum. By fostering dialogue and creating space for mutual exchange with other platforms and networks, the group will explore collaborative roles and opportunities to jointly advance water cooperation.
