The Water Innovation Europe 2023 conference ‘EU Water Policy- What’s next?’ concluded in June, welcoming more than 180 participants from all around Europe, giving the floor to 63 leading experts, hosting four main sessions & five side-events and giving awards to 6 water innovators.

This new post-event policy report summarises the multi-stakeholder exchanges of the event regarding the need for a European Water-Smart strategy to secure and sustain the water sources in Europe and beyond, and addresses all the challenges and opportunities that need to be embedded in such a strategy for the next EU elections in 2024.

5 key WIE2023 recommendations to remember:

1. Develop and deploy a Water-Smart Strategy for 2024-2029 in Europe, while considering water-related challenges and opportunities for each legislation in Europe.
2. Support research and innovation, including global partnerships, and embed a specific focus on water and nexus interlinkages.
3. Overcome barriers to unlock access to the best available solutions across Europe and beyond, including digital solutions.
4. Create a dedicated fund to leverage financial tools beyond innovation to ensure water resilience, sustainability, and security.
5. Foster cross-sector partnerships through Water-Oriented Living Labs, by involving local communities, academia, and industry, embracing diverse perspectives.

Link to the full report.