EU Commission: Launch of the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform and of the European Water Academy

A stakeholder Platform for water resilience and a European Water Academy were launched on 21 September 2026 in partnership with the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The two bodies form part of the Water Initiative President Ursula von der Leyen announced in her State of the Union address on 16 September.

Von der Leyen said the Commission recognises the serious risks that water scarcity poses to farmers, energy production and supply chains, adding that “Europe must act swiftly and prepare to meet this challenge”.

The Water Resilience Strategy, adopted in June 2025, sets out three objectives, with the aim of achieving water resilience across Europe by 2050:
• restoring the water cycle;
• building a water-smart economy;
• ensuring safe, affordable water and sanitation for all.

The Platform aims to identify obstacles to implementation, propose concrete solutions and reflect a broad range of public and sectoral interests. It brings together civil society, the private sector, regional and local authorities, and Member States. Its members were chosen through a spring-2026 call for applications, with international organisations joining as observers; the Commission, EESC and CoR will co-chair it, with meetings planned twice yearly. Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall opened the launching event of the Platform, alongside EESC President Seamus Boland and CoR Vice-President Carlos Moedas, in Brussels on Monday 21 September.

According to the Commission, the Academy is intended to contribute “to developing and linking the skills, knowledge, innovation and partnerships needed to tackle the many water-related challenges facing Europe”. Its launch followed directly after the Platform meeting concluded.

In the closing remarks of the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform launch event, EESC Blue Deal Coordinator Alain Coheur said: "Today marks the start of a process… But strategy alone isn't enough. The real challenge is implementation. This is where the platform can make a difference: identifying obstacles, sharing solutions, building partnerships, and turning ambition into concrete results."