A coordinated approach to water in Europe

Harro Riedstra, EWP

European Water PartnershipIndependent, non-profit organisation helping to coordinate initiatives and activities in international water issues and undertaking worldwide promotion of European expertise related to water

2009:- Aquawareness

- European Regional Coordination fifth World Water Forum Istanbul

- Climate Change Adaptation and Water

- European Water House

EWP history and MissionThe European Water Partnership is an open forum for

Private sector, Government bodies (regional, national and local), Knowledge institutes, Financial sector and, NGOs

aiming to find innovative solutions for the water challenges in wider Europe and the rest of the World and to stimulate innovative partnerships.

History: Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform European Regional Process for the 4th World Water Forum

need for broad European coordination

EWP Created March 2006

Objectives (1)

Putting water on the mainstream political and business agenda

Increasing and developing co-operation between all stakeholders

Promoting:- Innovation- European expertise- Achievement of MDG’s and Horizon 2020- New procurement approaches

Objectives (2)

Mobilise funding for innovative water solutions

Supporting effective implementation of European legislation

Building a reference base of projects with tangible examples, and visible user impact

Membership

Broad representation: currently over 50 members

Benefits of Membership of the European Water Partnership:

Network and knowledge Involvement in European policymaking and legislation Participation in European initiatives and projects Demonstration of commitment to addressing the water

crisis Broadening of sector boundaries – stepping outside the

traditional water sector

Overview of activities 2008-09Overview of activities 2008-09

AquawarenessAquawareness

European regional coordination, Istanbul 2009European regional coordination, Istanbul 2009

Dialogue Climate Change Adaptation and WaterDialogue Climate Change Adaptation and Water

European Water HouseEuropean Water House

Aquawareness ProgrammeAquawareness ProgrammeRaising awareness among all European stakeholders

Water Vision for EuropeWater Vision for Europeregional workshopsregional workshops elaborated joint commitments towards sustainable water management, generated region specific points and started a map of activities already implementing the Vision aims

vision mappingvision mapping presents the status quo of Europe’s water and includes a gap analysis of recommended actions for European decision makers

vision animationvision animation translates complex water issues into understandable language

Vision mapping Vision mapping What is vision mapping? Survey in Europe to find out:

What is already in place to achieve the vision aimsThe status quo on the vision in Europe

What is missing to achieve the aims of the vision for EuropePolicy recommendations to new commission presented in

November

Initiating projects along the way Envisioned actions that are first steps to 2030

Water AwarenessWater Awareness 

YouthYouth: Generation Blue International & European Youth Water Parliament

Summer schoolSummer school for decision makers

European Water BarometerEuropean Water Barometer

Information exchange platformInformation exchange platform

ASSESSHow to evaluate and assess SWM?

COMMUNICATE How to promote SWM?

Water Stewardship ProjectWater Stewardship Project

Agriculture Industry Tourism

Public Private

““Communication of SWM”Communication of SWM”

DEFINEWhat are the SWM principles

and requirements?

Fifth World Water ForumFifth World Water Forum

European Regional ProcessEuropean Regional Process-Momentum of the Forum created progress for existing projects-Large involvement (new) stakeholders

Main results include:Main results include: Extension network (East, South)

Progress on eight themes, including:- Climate Change Adaptation and

Water – Stronger Cooperation in Europe- Aquawareness – Water Vision for Europe

Increased momentum – examplesIncreased momentum – examples

Climate Change Adaptation and Water – the need for increased cooperation in EuropeClimate Change Adaptation and Water – the need for increased cooperation in Europe

European Policy Summit ’08 – Call for increased cooperation Highlevel Roundtable Conference 12 and 13 March

European Dialogue on Climate Change Adaptation and Water(focusing on specific “niches”, setting up cooperation, exchange and concrete projects)

AquawarenessAquawareness – Water Vision for EuropeWater Vision for Europe

The place that will give your Water Vision the chance to be The place that will give your Water Vision the chance to be reality!reality!

The European Water House will aim at demonstrating the vast potential of appropriate water technology, its practical applications as well as exhibiting education tools for a sustainable management of water in Europe.

It will help you … Be visible

Be understandable

Be understood

Be sustainable!