Strong momentum for collaboration at NWP Member Meet-up with Water Europe

Water Europe: A Pan-European Platform for Innovation

Durk opened the session with an introduction to Water Europe, the European technology platform dedicated to driving innovation and shaping a water-smart society. Representing nearly 300 members across the entire water value chain – including major corporations, research institutes, utilities, NGOs, and public authorities – Water Europe works to accelerate research, foster cross-sector collaboration, and connect innovative solutions to European policy.

Central to Water Europe’s mission is the transition towards a water-smart society, where the value of water is fully recognised, water and resource loops are closed, digitalisation supports efficient management, and all stakeholders are engaged in sustainable governance.

A deep dive into the EU Water Resilience Strategy

A core part of the Meet-up was Durk’s presentation of the European Water Resilience Strategy, recently developed by the European Commission. The Strategy marks a historic shift: for the first time, water is addressed not only as an environmental priority but as a critical factor for Europe’s economic competitiveness.

The Strategy has three main objectives.

• Restoring and protecting the water cycle through investments, pollution control, and better implementation of existing legislation.
• Building a water-smart economy, balancing demand and supply, accelerating digitalisation, and using the right water quality for the right purpose.
• Ensuring access to clean, affordable water for all citizens, supported by innovation, consumer action, and improved infrastructure.

Durk emphasised the growing economic importance of water, noting that rapidly expanding sectors such as data centres, hydrogen production, and semiconductors depend heavily on guaranteed water availability.

Opportunities for the Dutch Water Sector

Throughout the discussion, participants explored what these European developments mean for the Netherlands. With its strong innovation ecosystem and internationally recognised water expertise, the Dutch sector is well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from the Strategy’s 50 identified actions.

Key opportunities include the following.

• Aligning Dutch programmes, such as the Delta Programme, with EU implementation actions.
• Participation in Water Europe’s expert groups, Water-Oriented Living Labs, and Horizon Europe partnerships.
• Joint advocacy for improved European funding mechanisms tailored to the water sector’s needs.
• Leveraging Water Europe’s marketplace, events, and networks to strengthen international visibility and collaboration.

A critical takeaway was the urgency of engaging with the Dutch Government now, as member states will play a decisive role in shaping the 2028-2034 EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework. Ensuring strong water representation in this budget will be essential to secure future investments and to accelerate innovation.

Open discussion and networking

The Meet-up concluded with a lively exchange of ideas among NWP members. Discussions ranged from financing challenges and digitalisation gaps to the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration at both national and European levels. Participants emphasised the importance of evidence-based advocacy and a unified water voice – key elements of Water Europe’s value-driven approach.

Following the formal programme, members enjoyed the opportunity to connect informally, strengthening relationships and identifying potential partnerships.

Looking ahead

The session highlighted a shared goal: to ensure that the Netherlands plays a leading role in shaping Europe’s water-smart future. By connecting Dutch innovations to the EU Water Resilience Strategy and engaging actively with Water Europe, the Dutch water sector can help drive the transition toward a resilient, sustainable, and competitive Europe.