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Re-elected at the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen's 2024-2029 political guidance outlines key priorities for the European Commission, building on her first term while introducing new initiatives to address emerging challenges.

One of her primary goals is to strengthen European competitiveness by ensuring a strong, business-friendly single market. This will involve a new Clean Industrial Deal, which focuses on access to sustainable, secure, and affordable energy, as well as the promotion of decarbonization to address the accelerating climate crisis.

Needs for Circular Economy

Von der Leyen also emphasised the importance of the circular economy, proposing a Circular Economy Act aimed at fostering demand for secondary raw materials and creating a unified market for waste across the EU. Her political guidance also includes measures for advancing digital technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and data, with the goal of making Europe more competitive on the global stage.

"Water resilience is a big priority" von der Leyen said

Last but not least, the political guidance also includes water as a top-priority area, calling for a European Strategy for Water Resilience for proper management of water sources. The need for data, the protection of wetlands and the mapping of water-related challenges in both cities and rural areas emerge as areas requiring urgent action.

The Water4All Partnership strongly welcomes this high position of Water in the European Agenda and the Water4All community will actively contribute to the European Strategy for Water Resilience.

To "improve water security and resilience" was also a demand through a comprehensive approach made in July 2024, by 21 European ministers who wrote to the European Commission.

A new Commissionner for Water Resilience

Jessika Roswall appointed as the new Commissioner for "Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy" is set to direct the EU’s response to increasingly frequent periods of drought and flooding following to oversee the environment, water resilience and a competitive economy portfolio in the next European Commission.

The Mission letter given to Jessika Roswall states that the new Commissionner will:

“lead the work on the European Water Resilience Strategy to strengthen water security in Europe. This strategy will address water efficiency, scarcity, pollution and water related risk. It will aim to enhance the competitive innovative edge of our water industry, develop clean tech, take circular economy approach and include proposals to digitalise water management, cycles and utilities”  

Read the entire Mission letter [link here]

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The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.