A STRATEGIC PATHWAY TOWARDS A WATER-SMART SOCIETY AND ECONOMY

SEE FULL WHITE PAPER ATTACHED

Prologue
Water Europe (WE) is a purpose-driven, value-based, multi-stakeholder association established by the European Commission as a European Technology Platform. Representing the full water value chain, Water Europe brings together around 300 members across industry, research, utilities, technology providers, and public authorities.

Guided by its Water Vision, WE works to realise a Water-Smart Society, where the value of water is recognised and realised to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience. WE’s Water Vision sets out an ambitious paradigm shift: from fragmented water management to integrated, circular, and inclusive governance.

It identifies five key innovation areas:

1. Circular Water
2. Multiple Waters
3. Digital Water
4. Inclusive Water
5. Resilient Water

—as essential levers to transform Europe’s water systems and strengthen strategic autonomy in the face of climate and demographic pressures.

The Water Europe White Papers are developed within our Collaboration Programme and provide forward-looking, evidencebased perspectives on key challenges and opportunities for achieving a Water-Smart Society. They are produced by our Vision Leadership Teams and Expert Groups and aim to inform and inspire a broad spectrum of audiences—EU institutions,
international organisations, investors, businesses, water users, and society at large.

This White Paper, prepared by the Water and Finance Expert Group, focuses on mobilising strategic investment and financial innovation to deliver water resilience.

In the context of the forthcoming EU Water Resilience Strategy and the next Multiannual
Financial Framework, this paper aims to support Europe’s transition toward a Water-Smart Society and Economy—where water becomes a catalyst for climate adaptation, green competitiveness, and sustainable prosperity.

As Leader of the Water Europe Expert Group on Water and Finance, I am pleased to present this White Paper, developed together with the Expert Group Team. Drawing on my experience in public finance and European policy, both as former Minister of Finance of Poland and in my current role as Director of the Brussels Office of the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs, I strongly believe that strategic investment and financial innovation are key to unlocking the full value of water in Europe.

This White Paper is the result of a collaborative effort to explore how innovative financing mechanisms can support the transition toward a Water-Smart Society and Economy. It reflects Water Europe’s commitment to fostering water security, resilience, sustainability, and circularity across sectors.

Our work is particularly relevant in the context of the forthcoming EU Water Resilience Strategy, which places water at the heart of Europe’s green transition and calls for greater investment in water-smart solutions. In this light, sustainable and scalable financing models are more urgent than ever to deliver on the discussed ambitions of the Strategy.

The aim of the Water Europe Expert Group on Water and Finance is to inform and inspire a wide range of decision-makers, from EU institutions and investors to policymakers and practitioners, by proposing opinions and evidence-based insights.

I hope this paper contributes meaningfully to the ongoing dialogue on water investment and helps accelerate tangible progress toward a more resilient and sustainable Europe.
Durk Krol
Water Europe Executive director

Magdalena Rzeczkowska
Leader Water Europe Expert Group on Water and Finance
Former Minister of Finance of Poland