European water deficit resilience strategy

A new European Water Resilience Strategy (Water Resilience Strategy) has been outlined in the policy guidelines for the 2024-2029 term of the European Commission. It aims to ensure proper management of water resources, address water scarcity, and increase the competitiveness and innovation of the sector based on the principles of a circular economy.

A high-level sc, organized by the EC, was held in Brussels on March 6, 2025, to gather the information and knowledge needed to develop a future European Water Scarcity Resilience Strategy.

The following issues were addressed during the thematic sessions:

• restoring the water cycle;
• Water management and a competitive water industry;
• Providing clean and affordable water for all;
• Shaping a water-resistant world;
• Research and innovation underpinning the Resilience Strategy;
• Ocean and Waters mission to support engagement in regional cooperation.

EC water targets

The preparation of a European Water Scarcity Resilience Strategy was announced by EC President Ursula von der Leyen in her policy guidelines in July 2024.

In an interview with Water News Europe, the EC commissioner declared that the document would be finalized by the end of 2025, and stressed that the European Union must change its approach to the management, use and valuation of water.

The European Water Scarcity Resilience Strategy is designed to guarantee Europeans’ food, energy and economic security while preparing them for the future challenges of climate change.

What is the European Water Deficit Resilience Strategy?

The main goal of the European Water Scarcity Resilience Strategy, announced in July 2024 in the 2024-2029 policy guidelines, is to ensure proper management of water, address scarcity, and increase the competitiveness and innovation of the European water industry while adopting a circular economy approach.

It is assumed that the strategy will have an international dimension through the EC’s leadership in efforts to mitigate and prevent global water scarcity and increase access to quality water and sanitation.

Ultimately, the European Water Scarcity Resilience Strategy is expected to stimulate public and private investment for smart water management. Financial support is likely to come from EU cohesion programs and agricultural development funds. Private investors, meanwhile, are to be supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Consultation meeting on water deficit resilience

The meeting, which took place on March 6, 2025, was an important part of the EC’s extensive outreach efforts to increase water scarcity resilience, which is one of the priorities of Commissioner Jessica Roswall’s term as Commissioner for the Environment, Water Scarcity Resilience and a Competitive Closed Economy.

The title of the meeting organized as part of the European Ocean Days and the Ocean and Water Mission Forum was:Towards a Water Resilience Strategy for the European Union.

The event was part of the process of developing a European water deficit resilience strategy and consultation, which will enable stakeholders to share their knowledge and contribute to the policy visions in the pipeline.

The thematic sessions at the consultation meeting focused on the main points of the water deficit resilience agenda, and participants were asked to actively participate and engage in the discussions.

Conclusions of meeting on water deficit resilience

The meeting sought sustainable solutions to ensure the EU’s resilience to water scarcity, which is not only the basis of life on the planet, but also essential for economic security and competitiveness.

Among other things, the event discussed innovative solutions offered by the Ocean and Water Mission and research and innovation. The results of work to restore rivers, lakes and coastal waters and strengthen the resilience of communities across Europe were presented.

The summary of the meeting indicated the conclusions of the sessions, which listed the importance of:

• Blue Deal implementation for the global water crisis;
• implementation of blue water and green water approaches and water retention;
• implementation of preventive measures;
• Implementing investments in water infrastructure and introducing innovations;
• gray infrastructure;
• holistic thinking in approaching water;
• agriculture in the context of water abstraction, as well as the provision of water for this sector;
• The potential that the water industry has;
• innovation in the water industry;
• water charges;
• Digitization and data collection, and artificial intelligence;
• reference data needed to determine what water scarcity resilience is;
• water education;
• quantity and quality of water – in this context, it is important to control pollution sources and intake sites;
• Ensuring adequate financial resources;
• sustainable use of water, which should be a basic criterion for the allocation of EU funds;
• Ensure adequate quantity and quality of water for population, agriculture, tourism, industry;
• international cooperation and between different stakeholders.

More detailed information about the event can be found on the EC’s streaming service.

pic. main: shibani Radway / Unsplash