BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – On Monday in Brussels, the European Commission introduced the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform, uniting experts, EU governments, and international observers to support the European Water Resilience Strategy adopted in June 2025. This new forum involves 60 specialists from various sectors along with representatives from member states, with international organizations having the option to participate as observers, thereby broadening the platform’s discussion base on water policy, infrastructure, efficiency, and resilience.
The platform’s leadership is shared by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the European Committee of the Regions. Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall attended the inaugural session alongside EESC President Seamus Boland and Committee of the Regions Vice-President Carlos Moedas. The initial meeting addressed the platform’s operational framework, water efficiency, and the EU’s digital water management strategy. These three institutions will oversee the forum during its mandate.
The EU Water Resilience Strategy emphasizes three main long-term objectives: restoring and safeguarding the water cycle, fostering a water-smart economy, and ensuring access to safe, affordable water and sanitation. An EU-wide target to enhance water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030 has been set, with the Commission developing a unified approach to measure progress towards these goals. Member states can also set national targets tailored to their specific water conditions and needs.
Framework for Water Resilience Initiatives
Following a 2026 call for specialists across fields like water governance, finance, infrastructure, digitalisation, research, innovation, skills, and preparedness, the platform’s membership is limited to five-year terms based on rules set by the Commission. Participants will help shape a three-year work program that the platform reviews annually, with two meetings in Brussels each year unless a separate Water Resilience Forum is scheduled for that year.
Digital water management is a key priority on the platform’s agenda, as the Commission issued a call for evidence in May concerning an EU action plan for digital water management. This encompasses smart meters, sensors, data systems, and other technologies aimed at improving infrastructure oversight and water efficiency. According to Commission materials, smart meters alone could cut water consumption by up to 25%, with additional savings possible through digital monitoring and leak detection.
Research and Skills Development via European Water Academy
The Brussels initiative also involves the launch of the European Water Academy, part of the Water Resilience Strategy and managed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. The academy’s focus is on skills, research, innovation, and technology transfer within the water sector. The launch event featured presentations on the academy’s mission, its first EUWA Champions, and efforts to cultivate a new generation of water professionals across Europe.
The broader Water Resilience Strategy includes over 50 actions monitored by the Commission. Data indicate that only 37% of surface water bodies meet good ecological status, while 85% of bathing-water sites are classified as excellent. Additionally, more than 90% of urban wastewater is treated according to EU standards. The stakeholder platform now offers a permanent forum for EU institutions, national authorities, and specialists to collaborate on water protection, efficiency, investment, digitalisation, and ensuring access to clean water.