Brussels, Belgium – December 4, 2025
RETOUCH NEXUS joins InnWater and GOVAQUA to present unified recommendations on economic dimensions of water management
Europe faces mounting water challenges – droughts, floods, and pollution intensified by climate change. In response, three Horizon Europe projects are joining forces to present actionable solutions at the 4th European Forum on the Regulation of Water Services 2025 (EFRWS25).
A Strategic Collaboration
On December 4, 2025, RETOUCH NEXUS, InnWater, and GOVAQUA will host a special session focusing on the economic dimensions of water management. This collaboration represents a critical step in implementing the recently launched EU Water Resilience Strategy, which emphasizes the need for investment, innovation, and fair economic tools to safeguard water resources.
The 90-minute session will bring together institutional representatives, policymakers, regulators, and scientific experts to discuss how Europe can strengthen its long-term water security through integrated governance approaches.
The RETOUCH NEXUS Contribution
RETOUCH NEXUS brings expertise in integrated Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) governance. Our project develops frameworks that help regions anticipate and manage water crises by coordinating responses across interconnected systems. This integrated approach ensures that water security planning considers energy, food, and ecosystem impacts from the start.
Session Programme
15:00–15:10 – Introduction
15:10–15:30 – Presentation of joint policy brief
15:30–16:15 – Moderated panel discussion
16:15–16:30 – Conclusions and future directions
The session will feature a dedicated policy brief containing concrete recommendations for strengthening water governance across Europe, followed by expert discussion on implementation strategies.
Why Attend
This session offers stakeholders a unique opportunity to:
- Access synthesized insights from three major EU research projects
- Engage with leading experts on water governance and regulation
- Contribute to shaping Europe’s water resilience strategy
- Understand how economic tools can support sustainable water management
We welcome water utilities, regulators, institutional actors, NGOs, industry representatives, researchers, and engaged citizens to join the dialogue.
Beyond a Single Session
This collaboration demonstrates the power of coordinated research efforts. The WaterGovernance2027 Synergy Group shows what’s possible when projects share insights and prioritize collective impact over individual visibility. The policy brief presented in Brussels will provide actionable frameworks that regions can adapt to their specific contexts.
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.
