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The European Commission is scheduled to launch the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform at an event in Brussels on September 21 bringing together high-level experts from multiple sectors along with international observers the directorate-general for environment reported. Commissioner Jessika Roswall for environment water resilience and a competitive circular economy will deliver an opening statement at the gathering hosted at the headquarters of the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The initiative follows a call for applications issued in March 2026 that assembled cross-sectoral representatives from member states to serve as members.
The platform will support three core objectives under the EU Water Resilience Strategy according to the European Commission’s environment department. These include restoring and protecting the water cycle from source to sea building a water-smart economy that reduces consumption and modernises infrastructure and ensuring safe affordable water and sanitation for all. Such goals are intended to place Europe on a path toward full water resilience by 2050 with the platform convening twice annually to offer expertise and advice.
The European Water Academy will be officially launched immediately after the platform session on the same day the Joint Research Centre stated in its announcement. Led by the JRC in partnership with the directorates-general for environment and employment as well as European water associations the academy focuses on capacity building and skills development across the water sector. It operates as a network of networks guided by principles that include turning laboratory innovations into market-ready applications through living labs and hands-on training programmes.
Two flagship pilot programmes are already under way as part of the academy a report from the knowledge for policy portal noted. These cover wastewater surveillance for health purposes and a community of practice on water reuse risk management demonstrating collaboration between public authorities and private stakeholders. The academy also aims to integrate digital tools artificial intelligence and other technologies to address water management challenges while providing training in local languages to broaden participation.
The launches build directly on the European Water Resilience Strategy adopted in June 2025 which the Commission described as a comprehensive framework to tackle intensifying pressures including climate change droughts floods and pollution. That strategy complements existing legislation while promoting innovation and competitiveness in the water economy according to directorate-general for environment publications. It emerged amid growing recognition that Europe’s water resources face strains from unsustainable practices ageing infrastructure and rising demand linked to urbanisation.
A call for experts to join the platform had been opened in March 2026 with applications accepted until mid-April and up to 60 members to be appointed for five-year terms the European Economic and Social Committee confirmed. The first platform meeting is set to help develop a three-year work programme that will be reviewed annually focusing on areas such as climate-resilient investment and digital solutions for urban water management. Subsequent gatherings will continue to channel stakeholder input into the ongoing implementation of the broader resilience agenda.
