On October 7, 2024, over 80 experts and stakeholders from government agencies, research institutions, and civil society convened in Bordeaux, France, for our sister project (GOVAQUA)’ second seminar. As part of the INBO General Assembly, the event provided a dynamic platform to discuss innovative water governance practices and methods for assessing governance systems.
Highlights of the Programme
Reflections from Valencia 2023:
The seminar revisited outcomes from the inaugural GOVAQUA seminar in Valencia, which launched discussions on governance innovation. Since then, an online survey has been gathering examples of good practices from across Europe to be included in a repository, which remains open for contributions.
Insights from Horizon Europe Projects:
The GOVAQUA, InnWater, and RETOUCH NEXUS projects—part of the Water Governance 2027 Synergy Group—delivered insights into key governance themes, including:
- Water allocation and ecological flows (Josselin Rouillard, GOVAQUA)
- Economic instruments (RETOUCH NEXUS)
- Social innovation and citizen engagement (Julie Magnier and Joana Diaz-Pont, InnWater)
- Digital solutions for water management (Virginie Keller, GOVAQUA)
These presentations highlighted the need for horizontal and vertical integration, cross-sectoral collaboration, and citizen involvement in water governance.
Together, the GOVAQUA, InnWater and RETOUCH NEXUS projects aim to address Europe’s water challenges by developing, assessing, and validating effective governance practices. The cluster tests innovative mechanisms and approaches to enhance water governance across 17 diverse locations throughout 13 EU Member States. These sites range from agricultural regions to urban areas and local catchments to national-level initiatives, creating a comprehensive framework for sharing knowledge and scaling best practices across Europe.
GOVAQUA Assessment Tool
A key segment introduced the GOVAQUA assessment tool, designed to help river basin managers evaluate and enhance governance practices. Already under testing in GOVAQUA Living Labs across Europe, this tool aims to boost transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in governance systems.
Interactive Engagement
Participants engaged through two WooClap sessions, providing real-time feedback and sharing perspectives on applying innovative practices regionally. This interaction fostered active knowledge exchange and creative problem-solving.
Key Messages and Takeaways
- Effective water governance is critical for resilience against climate challenges like droughts and floods.
- Strengthening regulatory frameworks, fostering collaboration across sectors, and integrating tools such as economic instruments and citizen participation are essential.
- Europe’s innovative practices provide valuable models to improve governance globally.
Diversity and Participation
The seminar brought together a diverse audience:
- 35 women were among the 80+ participants, reflecting an ongoing commitment to gender inclusivity.
- Government and public agencies formed the majority, with strong representation from research institutions and civil society, while private sector involvement remained limited.
SAVE THE DATE!
The GOVAQUA initiative continues to push boundaries in water governance. The 3rd GOVAQUA workshop, scheduled for the EUROPE-INBO conference in Parma, Italy, in May 2025, will focus on pathways to sustainable governance.
💧 The 2024 GOVAQUA seminar underscored the urgency of innovative governance in addressing water management challenges. Stay involved as these initiatives shape the future of sustainable and resilient water governance!
