In June 2023, the EU institutions have been deploying the Green Deal to create a paradigm shift towards a green, resilient, and digitalized Europe. Despite positive developments in the EU legislation, water related risks have been underestimated and managed with fragmented perspective. This report summarizes the multi-stakeholder exchanges ran during Water Innovation Europe 2023 regarding the need for a European Water-Smart strategy to secure and sustain the water sources in Europe and beyond. The event, which took place on 21-22nd June 2023, was hosted by Water Europe and sponsored by Hansgrohe. The different sessions brought together experts from research, policy, business, and EU institutions to exchange on the challenges and opportunities that need to be embedded in such a strategy for the next EU elections in 2024.