Dear Water Europe friends,
As we prepare to step into the summer break, this is a good moment to pause and reflect on what has been a truly productive season for Water Europe, marked by significant milestones that reaffirm our growing impact.
Over the previous months, we welcomed a new EU Commissioner for water, a clear signal of the rising political recognition of water’s central role in Europe’s resilience. Equally monumental was the launch of the Water Resilience Strategy, a vision we have long championed, now materializing into actionable policy. These advances were not achieved in isolation, they were backed by robust evidence.
We also saw the launch of our Socio-Economic Study, alongside other important publications such as Advancing Investment in Water Resilience. Internally, we reorganised our structure with our new Expert Groups and new Communities of Practice. Additionally, we continued to extend the reach and operation of our Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs) and proudly published our WOLLs Atlas.
Meanwhile, our annual events, Water Knowledge Europe and Water Market Europe, were successfully held outside Brussels, a move that brought us closer to our members and communities across Europe. All these achievements, and many more, are captured in our Annual Report, which I warmly invite you to explore.
Looking ahead, while we are pleased by the adoption of the Water Resilience Strategy, we remain aware that vision must be matched by tangible investment. By embedding the true value of water into how we grow, produce, and invest, Europe has the potential to unlock nearly €1 trillion in economic value across key sectors by 2030. At the same time, €255 billion in investment is still required for utilities to meet EU standards. This gap is not merely a financial challenge but a call to action.
In this context, we look with hope to the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034. It must be more than a financial plan, it must serve as a bold investment roadmap where water is given its rightful place.
Last but not least, I am excited to announce that the Water Innovation Awards are now open, with five award categories recognizing excellence in their respective fields. Innovation remains the beating heart of Water Europe, and I encourage all of you to bring forward your contributions. The awards ceremony will take place during our Water Innovation Europe conference, which will be held on 27–28 October in Copenhagen, Denmark.
With this, I wish each of you a restful and inspiring summer. Let us return refreshed and ready to continue building a Water-Smart Society!
