{"id":4406438,"date":"2026-01-23T11:07:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T11:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/?page_id=4406438"},"modified":"2026-02-18T11:20:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T11:20:42","slug":"policy-briefs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/results\/policy-briefs\/","title":{"rendered":"Beleidsnota's"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#B7D983″ min_height=”164.1px” custom_padding=”||4px|||” border_radii=”off|10px|10px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#093E50″ header_text_color=”#093E50″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

RETOUCH NEXUS Policy Briefs<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Evidence-based recommendations for integrated water governance within the WEFE Nexus<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#093E50″ border_radii=”off|||10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_text_divider header=”About our Policy Briefs” color=”#B7D983″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” width=”80%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dsm_text_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#093E50″ background_layout=”dark” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The RETOUCH NEXUS project develops evidence-based policy recommendations to support effective, sustainable, and integrated water governance across the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus. Our policy briefs translate research findings into actionable guidance for decision-makers and stakeholders at local, regional, national, and European levels.<\/p>\n

Each brief synthesizes insights from governance analysis, stakeholder engagement, and innovative practices to address the complex challenges of water management in a changing climate.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_text_divider header=”General Policy Recommendations” color=”#B7D983″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dsm_text_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Cross-cutting policy briefs addressing broad governance challenges<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_card title=”Water resilience is built with better water governance” subtitle=”A comprehensive framework for strengthening water governance across Europe” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Policy-Brief-Water-resilience-is-built-with-better-water-governance.png” badge_text=”Published July 2024″ button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDMzOTgifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#B7D983″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#093E50″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_color_all=”#093E50″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

This policy brief examines the fundamental principles and practices needed to build resilient water governance systems. It addresses the institutional, legal, and participatory mechanisms that enable adaptive management in the face of climate change and increasing resource pressures. The brief provides recommendations applicable across diverse European contexts, emphasizing multi-level coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of water security with broader sustainability goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”Leveraging Economics for Water Resilience” subtitle=”Economic tools and governance innovation in support of the EU Water Resilience Strategy” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Policy-Brief-WG2027-2026.png” badge_text=”Published February 2026″ button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY2MjIifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#B7D983″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#093E50″ hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_color_all=”#093E50″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”Policy Brief WG2027 2026″]<\/p>\n

This policy brief examines the role of economic instruments in building water resilience across Europe. It presents a structured economic toolbox, spanning price-based instruments, subsidies and Payments for Environmental Services, trading schemes, risk-management tools, and blended finance arrangements, and sets out the enabling governance conditions required for these tools to be effective. The brief also highlights how economic and Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus modelling, including Computable General Equilibrium approaches, can help policymakers assess trade-offs and distributional impacts before implementation. Published by the WaterGovernance2027 synergy group, bringing together InnWater, GOVAQUA and RETOUCH NEXUS.<\/p>\n

[\/dsm_card][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_card title=”What %22Nexus%22? Towards Resource Nexus Standardization” subtitle=”Proposing a common definition and certification pathway for Resource Nexus projects at global scale” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Policy-Brief-PRIMA-x-UN-University.png” badge_text=”Published February 2026″ button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY1ODcifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#B7D983″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#093E50″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_color_all=”#093E50″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

This policy brief, co-authored by RETOUCH NEXUS coordinator Dr. Maria Vrachioli and led by UNU-FLORES and the PRIMA Foundation, proposes a new definition of the Resource Nexus and outlines a concrete roadmap toward standardization and certification of Nexus projects. It demonstrates how a broader Resource Nexus Framework, extending beyond Water-Energy-Food to include soil, biota, marine ecosystems, and material resources, can improve policy coherence, manage trade-offs, and unlock synergies across sectors and scales.<\/p>\n

[\/dsm_card][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_text_divider header=”Case Studies Policy Briefs” color=”#B7D983″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dsm_text_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Regional pathways for improved integrated water governance across our demonstration sites<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_card title=”J\u00facar River Basin” subtitle=”Addressing water scarcity, drought management, and balancing water use across energy, agriculture, and environmental needs in Valencia\u2019s main water source.” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Spain-PB.png” badge_text=”Spain” button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY0NDQifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” subhead_text_align=”justify” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”6px” border_color_all=”#B7D983″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

Key Focus Areas<\/h4>\n
    \n
  • Cross-sector stakeholder partnerships<\/li>\n
  • Water pricing and economic instruments<\/li>\n
  • Basin-wide WEFE nexus integration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”Island Water Sustainability” subtitle=”Managing water-energy interdependence, desalination reliance, and competing demands in a water-scarce Mediterranean island context.” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Belgian-PB.png” badge_text=”Malta” button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY1MDkifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” subhead_text_align=”justify” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”6px” border_color_all=”#B7D983″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    <\/h4>\n

    Key Focus Areas<\/h4>\n
      \n
    • Water-energy nexus integration<\/li>\n
    • Water reuse prioritization<\/li>\n
    • Stakeholder platform expansion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”Building Effective Participation” subtitle=”Strengthening participatory processes in water governance based on insights from 21 regional water authorities.” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dutch-PB.png” badge_text=”Netherlands” button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY0ODMifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”6px” border_color_all=”#B7D983″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      <\/h4>\n

      Key Focus Areas<\/h4>\n
        \n
      • Meaningful stakeholder engagement<\/li>\n
      • Organizational culture change<\/li>\n
      • Capacity building for participation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        [\/dsm_card][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dsm_card title=”Upper Main River Basin” subtitle=”Tackling climate-related pressures, groundwater challenges, and fragmented institutional responsibilities in northern Bavaria.” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/German-PB.png” badge_text=”Germany” button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY0NzYifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” subhead_text_align=”justify” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”6px” border_color_all=”#B7D983″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

        <\/h4>\n

        Key Focus Areas<\/h4>\n
          \n
        • Multi-stakeholder partnerships<\/li>\n
        • Digital engagement platforms<\/li>\n
        • Nature-based solutions incentives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”National Water Governance” subtitle=”Addressing fragmented governance, climate adaptation, and coordination challenges across water, agriculture, and environmental sectors.” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Slovakian-PB.png” badge_text=”Slovakia” button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY0OTcifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” subhead_text_align=”justify” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”6px” border_color_all=”#B7D983″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

          <\/h4>\n

          Key Focus Areas<\/h4>\n
            \n
          • Inter-ministerial coordination<\/li>\n
          • River basin-based planning<\/li>\n
          • Economic instruments and pricin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            [\/dsm_card][dsm_card title=”Blue Deal into Action” subtitle=”Scaling up collective, decentralized water reuse systems and advancing circular water management practices.” image=”https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Belgian-PB-1.png” badge_text=”Belgium – Flanders” button_text=”Read Full Brief” button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wb3N0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ0MDY1MDMifX0=@” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” subhead_text_align=”justify” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”6px” border_color_all=”#B7D983″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

            <\/h4>\n

            Key Focus Areas<\/h4>\n
              \n
            • Decentralized water solutions<\/li>\n
            • Business models and financing<\/li>\n
            • Public-private partnerships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              [\/dsm_card][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

              More Policy Briefs Coming Soon<\/h3>\n

              Additional policy briefs addressing emerging water governance challenges will be published throughout the project duration. Check back regularly for updates.<\/p>\n

              [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              RETOUCH NEXUS Policy Briefs Evidence-based recommendations for integrated water governance within the WEFE Nexus

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              About our Policy Briefs<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
              <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>The RETOUCH NEXUS project develops evidence-based policy recommendations to support effective, sustainable, and integrated water governance across the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus. Our policy briefs translate research findings into actionable guidance for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":4402740,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4406438","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4406438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4406438"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4406438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4406634,"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4406438\/revisions\/4406634"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4402740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/retouch-nexus.eu\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4406438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}