On April 14, key water stakeholders met with the cabinet of Rafael Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms.
Representing key water sector voices, Water Europe together with Federacja Przedsiębiorców Polskich, European Water Association (EWA) , FIEC EU and AquaFed stressed that water resilience is fundamental to European cohesion, economic stability, and competitiveness.
Among the main recommendations shared with the Cabinet were:
➡ Embed water resilience in cohesion, recovery, and post-2027 MFF instruments as a cross-cutting investment priority.
➡ Support the creation of a Water Transition Fund to finance innovation, nature-based solutions, digitalisation, infrastructure, and circular water systems.
➡ Strengthen technical assistance for local and regional authorities to prepare bankable water-smart projects.
➡ Ensure all water actors (utilities, industry, research) are eligible for cohesion and recovery support.
➡Expand digital water management, clean data standards, and training under the NextGenerationEU and cohesion programming.
➡ Use water policy to reduce regional disparities and enhance local resilience in line with territorial cohesion objectives.
One of the core messages was that ‘’Investing in water resilience isn’t just environmental; it’s a strategic imperative for a stronger, more cohesive, and climate-prepared Europe.’’
