Dear Water Europe friends,
We are already a month into the new year, and our agenda is brimming with activities. Our primary goal remains clear: to ensure a solid and comprehensive EU Water Resilience Strategy that will make respond to the challenges that our economy, society and environment are facing, as well as unlock opportunities for a green and competitive Europe.
We reach out to the European Commission and Commissioner Jessika Roswall in particular, who are working diligently to shape this strategy. The focus is on repairing the water cycle, ensuring equitable access to water for all citizens while developing a water-smart economy.
We are well-equipped for giving full support and advice for this important work, backed by our socio-economic study on the Value of the EU Investing in Water, which underscores the value of such a strategy and highlights the necessary funding requirements.
This week, in partnership with ECOLAB, we co-organized the Antwerp Dialogue on the EU Water Resilience Strategy to explore how a water-smart economy can enhance Europe’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy. With over 1,000 organisations backing the Antwerp Declaration, discussions focused on how the EU Water Resilience Strategy can align with the Clean Industrial Deal to ensure secure, efficient, and sustainable water use for both industry and society.
To further advance our mission, we have also strengthened our internal structure with a new collaboration matrix, bringing together 15 expert groups and three dedicated Communities of Practice. Luzette Kroon leads the Water-Smart River Basins Community of Practice, Geoff Townsend chairs the Water-Smart Industries Community of Practice, and Bart Somers heads the Water-Smart Cities Community of Practice, ensuring strong leadership and direction in these key areas.
With these efforts, we are well-positioned to drive meaningful progress in European water resilience and to build a Water-Smart Society. 2025 will be a year of impactful action and we are only just beginning.
