On 18 and 19 November 2025, the Water4All Governing Board met for its eighth session, bringing together representatives from across Europe to review progress, take strategic decisions, and collectively reflect on the future of water research and innovation in Europe. Beyond formal governance, the meeting marked an important moment of collective reflection and alignment, notably through a series of parallel discussion sessions that proved to be a real catalyst for shared momentum.

Key decisions strengthening the partnership

The Governing Board confirmed a number of important decisions to support the smooth functioning and long-term relevance of Water4All. Members reaffirmed the importance of aligning the partnership’s priorities with the European Water Resilience Strategy, ensuring that Water4All-supported research and innovations contribute directly to protecting water resources, adapting to climate change, and securing water for people, ecosystems, and the economy.

Governance renewal was another key outcome. The Board approved the integration of Human Right 2 Water as a new beneficiary and elected Amanda Loeffen as Vice-Chair from January 2026, strengthening the partnership’s openness to civil society perspectives. The process for renewing the Chair and Vice-Chair positions in 2026 was also launched, ensuring continuity and transparency in leadership. In addition, progress across ongoing activities was reviewed, including upcoming reporting milestones essential for accountability and coordination.

Strong momentum from the parallel sessions

A central highlight of the meeting was the set of six parallel sessions, which allowed participants to step back from operational issues and jointly address strategic questions.

Several sessions focused on how to work better together and maximise impact. Discussions on breaking down silos explored practical ways to improve collaboration across disciplines, while exchanges on impact pathways underlined the need to involve end users earlier, communicate results beyond academic circles, and ensure continuity so that research outcomes can translate into lasting benefits.

Another session addressed the upcoming Demonstration Call, aimed at bridging the gap between research and real-world application. Discussions focused on how to design the call to encourage collaboration between research organisations, public authorities, and other actors, and to support the testing and validation of innovative solutions in real or near-real conditions.

Importantly, a session was dedicated to preparing Water4All’s contribution to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, with partners agreeing on a coordinated approach through a dedicated organisation committee and thematic task forces to ensure a strong and coherent presence at international level.

Finally, partners engaged in an open discussion on the long-term future of Water4All, exploring initial scenarios beyond current European funding frameworks. This exchange marked the starting point of a broader consultation process that will continue in 2026.

Looking ahead

The Naples Governing Board meeting confirmed Water4All’s growing maturity as a partnership: robust in its governance, ambitious in its vision, and increasingly focused on collaboration and impact. The strong engagement in the parallel sessions demonstrated a shared willingness to collectively shape how water research and innovation can best serve Europe and beyond in the years to come.

Governing Board - Facts & Figures (Nov. 2025)