In a landmark move to address growing water challenges across the continent, the European Commission has adopted the European Water Resilience Strategy, introducing over 30 targeted actions to support EU Member States in managing water more efficiently.

It emphasizes the strategic value of water and the urgent need for a more integrated and resilient approach to water governance. The initiative calls on national, regional, and local governments, as well as citizens and businesses, to play a central role in building water resilience.

Three Pillars of the Strategy 

The strategy is anchored in three core objectives:

1. Restoring and protecting the water cycle as basis for sustainable water supply.
2. Building a water-smart economy together with citizens and economic actors in a way that supports EU competitiveness, is attractive to investors and supports a thriving EU water industry.
3. Securing clean and affordable water and sanitation for all at all times, and empowering citizens for water resilience.  

Additionally, the Strategy outlines five key enabling areas for action:

• Governance and implementation
• Finance, investments, and infrastructure
• Digitalisation
• Research, innovation, industry, and skills
• Security and preparedness 

Efficiency First: A New Guiding Principle

A cornerstone of the strategy is the adoption of the Water Efficiency First Principle, which prioritizes reducing water demand over exploiting new resources. The EU aims to enhance water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030 through conservation, improved efficiency, wastewater reuse, and sustainable supply expansion.

IAWD Welcomes the Strategy

At IAWD, we welcome the strategy as a forward-thinking initiative that aligns closely with many of our core priorities:

Capacity Development: The Strategy’s emphasis on establishing a European Water Academy and investing in workforce development aligns with IAWD’s longstanding leadership in training and knowledge exchange across the Danube region through the Danube Learning Partnership (D-LeaP). We remain dedicated to advancing the skills of water professionals and addressing the challenges posed by an ageing workforce in the sector.

Utility Innovation: IAWD fully supports the Strategy’s prioritization of digital transformation, smart metering, and water efficiency. For nearly a decade, our Utility Benchmarking Program has been instrumental in helping regional utilities evaluate and enhance their operational performance.

Cross-Border Cooperation: The Strategy’s acknowledgment of the need for cross-border water cooperation reflects IAWD’s core mission of bringing together utilities and stakeholders throughout the Danube basin. We will continue to promote dialogue and coordinated action among countries that share water resources.

Governance and Resilience: AWD endorses the Strategy’s call for more robust implementation of EU water legislation, improved governance frameworks, and increased investment in resilient infrastructure. We are committed to contributing to regional dialogues and initiatives, particularly by advocating for standardized asset management as a cornerstone of long-term infrastructure sustainability.

Looking Ahead

As from December 2025, the Commission will convene, every two years, a Water Resilience Forum, providing an inclusive dialogue with EU stakeholders to advance the implementation of the Strategy.

As Europe faces increasing climate pressures and water scarcity, the European Water Resilience Strategy marks a critical step toward a more secure and sustainable future. IAWD and its partners stand ready to support its implementation, working together to build a water-resilient Europe for generations to come.