Cofunded by the European Union

Under Water4All Pillar C activities, a Policy Support Working Group was established to identify research and innovation needs to support implementing water policies and legislations. The task began in 2022 with two steps.

The first step consisted of selecting policies to work on. It led to focus on three water related directives:

  • Water Framework Directive WFD, [link?]
  • Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive UWWTD, [link?]
  • Drinking Water Directive - DWD. [link?]

The second step (the objective of this document) was to work on a thematic policy and technical gaps report, to identify the technical and governance needs for implementing the selected policy areas. This work involved:

  • analysing inputs from desk studies,
  • a webinar, and
  • interviews to pinpoint the main gaps.

Technical gaps identified include:

  • controlling diffuse pollution
  • addressing water quantity and climate change challenges,
  • promoting Nature Based Solutions (NBS), and
  • improving data collection and usage.

Governance gaps highlight the need for:

  • cross-sector collaboration,
  • coherence among EU legislations,
  • effective stakeholder communication,
  • adequate financing, and
  • integrating scientific evidence into decision-making.

This gaps report will be the main source of information for the next step, guidelines on available solutions and implementation strategies, by May 2025.

To help the next steps in developing solution guidelines, webinars and a policy forum event are planned. Constant interactions with relevant strategies and initiatives will also support the process.

The Policy Forum Event will be held next October from 7-9 in Bordeaux, France. It will take place during the INBO World General Assembly 2024. It aims to promote the Water4All project and to present the work done on policy gaps. It is also a moment to exchange. Learn more: 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.