BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – The European Commission inaugurated the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform in Brussels on Monday, serving as an official venue for specialists, EU member states, and international observers. This platform aims to facilitate the execution of the European Water Resilience Strategy, which was adopted in June 2025. It unites 60 experts from various sectors along with representatives from member states. External organizations will observe, bringing additional expertise to discussions concerning water policy, infrastructure, efficiency, and resilience.
The platform is jointly led by the European Commission, European Economic and Social Committee, and European Committee of the Regions. The inaugural session featured Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, EESC President Seamus Boland, and Committee of the Regions Vice-President Carlos Moedas. Topics on the agenda included platform operations, the EU water-sector digitalisation initiative, and water efficiency measures. Throughout its mandate, the three institutions will supervise the platform, establishing a direct connection with EU policy bodies and civil society organizations.
The Water Resilience Strategy aims to achieve three primary goals for Europe by 2050. Its focus areas include restoring and safeguarding the water cycle, developing a water-smart economy, and ensuring accessible, safe, and affordable water and sanitation services. The strategy sets a collective EU objective to boost water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030. While the Commission is formulating a shared methodology for water-efficiency targets, individual member states may determine their own goals based on national circumstances.
Expert Platform to Shape EU Water Policies
This platform was established following a spring 2026 call for specialists in fields such as water governance, efficiency, finance, infrastructure, digitalisation, research, innovation, skills, and preparedness. Participants will serve five-year terms under the framework outlined by the Commission. They are expected to contribute to the development of a three-year work plan that will be reviewed annually. The terms of the platform specify that two meetings will be held annually in Brussels, except during years when a separate Water Resilience Forum is organized.
Digitalisation represents one of the platform’s initial priorities. In May, the Commission launched a call for evidence concerning an EU action plan for digital water management. This plan addresses data-driven systems, smart meters, sensors, and other tools intended to enhance infrastructure management and water efficiency. According to Commission materials, smart meters have the potential to reduce water consumption by up to 25%, with digital systems and leak detection offering further savings opportunities.
European Water Academy to Broaden Skills Development
The Brussels initiative also marked the launch of the European Water Academy later Monday, a key action under the Water Resilience Strategy. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre is responsible for coordinating this effort, which emphasizes skills, research, innovation, and technology transfer within the water sector. The launch event included presentations about the academy, its inaugural EUWA Champions, and the upcoming generation of water professionals.
The comprehensive Water Resilience Strategy encompasses over 50 key actions monitored by the Commission. EU data indicate that only 37% of surface water bodies meet good ecological status, while 85% of bathing-water sites maintain excellent quality. Additionally, more than 90% of urban wastewater is processed in accordance with EU standards. The stakeholder platform now functions as a permanent forum, providing expert guidance on water protection, efficiency, investment, digitalisation, and access to clean water.