Dear Water Europe friends,
As we move further into autumn and the summer break feels already distant, it is time to face one of the most pressing issues of our time: financing Europe’s water future. Let’s be frank. We know where the opportunities lie, and we know the challenges ahead. Now, we need to make sure the resources are there to act on them.
The upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) will be decisive. Just yesterday, we released our new position paper, calling for €300 billion dedicated to water in the next EU budget. Investing in water is not a cost, it’s a growth driver that must be stimulated. Every €1 invested in water delivers €2.35 in economic output and generates 16,000 jobs for every €1 billion spent.
Our position paper lays out a clear path forward with specific recommendations, as securing dedicated funds across the main segments of the European budget up to €300 billion; setting up performance criteria for quantitative targets; ensuring the prioritisation of water-related targets into single national plans, and supporting horizontal water-related objectives to unlock synergies with other EU strategies. You can read the full paper here.
At the same time, much of Europe’s public debate on financing currently revolves around defense and military security. It is right that Europe invests to defend itself from hostile regimes and the risks posed by weapons and drones. But let us not forget that climate extremes, from devastating droughts to catastrophic floods can undermine our societies just as severely. We need to defend a water-resilient Europe, too.
This month, we will take this conversation further at Water Innovation Europe 2025, under the theme “Copenhagen Calling: The Future of Water is Smart and Resilient.” On 27–28 October in Copenhagen, we will gather to shape the roadmap for Europe’s Water Resilience Strategy together. I look forward to seeing you all there, and working together to place water at the heart of Europe’s future. Anything else is a risk we cannot afford to take.
