BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – European Commission has established the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform in Brussels on Monday. This platform provides an official space for specialists, EU member states, and global observers to engage. Its purpose is to facilitate the execution of the European Water Resilience Strategy, which was adopted in June 2025. The platform unites 60 experts from various fields along with representatives from member countries. International organizations will observe, contributing outside perspectives on water policy, infrastructure, efficiency, and resilience.
European Economic and Social Committee and European Committee of the Regions share leadership of the platform. Its opening 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 plan, and water efficiency. These three institutions will oversee the platform’s activities during its mandate. This setup links the forum directly with EU policy bodies and civil society groups.
The Water Resilience Strategy aims to achieve three key goals for Europe by 2050. These goals focus on restoring and protecting the water cycle, creating a water-smart economy, and providing safe, affordable water and sanitation. Aiming for improvement, the strategy targets a minimum 10% increase in water efficiency by 2030 across the EU. The Commission is working on a shared methodology for water-efficiency targets, while member states can set their own based on national circumstances.
Expert platform enhances EU water policy development
The Brussels initiative follows a call in spring 2026 for specialists in water governance, efficiency, finance, infrastructure, digitalisation, research, innovation, skills, and preparedness. Members are appointed for five-year terms, aligned with the Commission’s framework. They will help shape a three-year work plan that is reviewed annually. The platform is set to meet twice yearly in Brussels, unless a separate Water Resilience Forum is scheduled in those years.
Digitalisation is among the platform’s initial priorities. The Commission launched an evidence-gathering process in May for an EU action plan on digital water management. This plan emphasizes data-driven systems, smart meters, sensors, and other tools to improve infrastructure management and water efficiency. According to the Commission, smart meters could reduce water use by up to 25%. Digital systems and leak detection technologies could offer further savings.
European Water Academy broadens focus on skills
The Brussels program also includes the launch of the European Water Academy later Monday. This initiative is a major part of the Water Resilience Strategy. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre manages it. The academy concentrates on skills development, research, innovation, and technology transfer in the water sector. Its launch will feature presentations about the academy itself, the first EUWA Champions, and the upcoming generation of water professionals.
The Water Resilience Strategy contains over 50 key actions tracked by the Commission. Data shows only 37% of surface water bodies reach good ecological status. Additionally, 85% of bathing-water sites are rated as excellent. Over 90% of urban wastewater is processed according to EU standards. The stakeholder platform now serves as a permanent forum for expert advice on water protection, efficiency, investment, digitalisation, and access to clean water.