BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – On Monday in Brussels, the European Commission introduced the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform, establishing an official forum for specialists, EU member states, and international observers. This initiative aims to facilitate the roll-out of the European Water Resilience Strategy, which was adopted in June 2025. The platform assembles 60 experts from various sectors along with representatives from member states, while international organizations will join as observers, enriching discussions on water policy, infrastructure, efficiency, and resilience.
The platform is co-chaired by the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Commission, and the European Committee of the Regions. During its opening session, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, EESC President Seamus Boland, and Committee of the Regions Vice-President Carlos Moedas participated. The agenda included discussions on platform operations, the EU digitalisation plan for the water sector, and water efficiency initiatives. Throughout its mandate, these three institutions will oversee the platform, linking it directly to EU policy bodies and civil society organizations.
The Water Resilience Strategy aims to achieve three primary objectives for Europe through 2050: restoring and safeguarding the water cycle, fostering a water-smart economy, and ensuring access to safe and affordable water and sanitation. An EU-wide target is set to enhance water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030. While the Commission is working on a shared methodology for water-efficiency targets, member states retain the option to establish their own goals based on national circumstances.
Expert Forum Enhances EU Water Policy Development
Following a call for specialists issued in spring 2026, the platform has onboarded experts in areas such as water governance, efficiency, finance, infrastructure, digitalisation, research, innovation, skills, and preparedness. Appointed for five-year terms under the Commission’s framework, members are expected to contribute to the development of a three-year work plan, which will undergo yearly reviews. The platform is scheduled to meet twice annually in Brussels, except in years when a separate Water Resilience Forum is held.
Digitalisation stands as one of the platform’s initial focus areas. In May, the Commission launched a call for evidence regarding an EU action plan for digital water management, covering data-driven systems, smart meters, sensors, and other tools aimed at improving infrastructure management and water efficiency. The Commission reports that smart meters can reduce water consumption by up to 25%, and digital systems with leak detection can offer additional savings.
European Water Academy Broaden Skills Development Efforts
Earlier Monday in Brussels, the European Water Academy was officially launched as a key component of the Water Resilience Strategy. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre coordinates this initiative, which focuses on skills, research, innovation, and technology transfer within the water sector. The launch included presentations about the academy, its first EUWA Champions, and the upcoming generation of water experts.
Within the broader framework of the Water Resilience Strategy, over 50 key actions are monitored by the Commission. EU data indicates that only 37% of surface water bodies achieve good ecological status, whereas 85% of bathing-water sites are classified as excellent quality. Furthermore, more than 90% of urban wastewater complies with EU standards. The stakeholder platform now serves as a continuous forum for expert advice on water protection, efficiency, investments, digitalisation, and access to clean water.