Water Europe calls for structural funding for water resilience in next MFF

Despite an ambitious Water Resilience Strategy, water remains sidelined in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, says Water Europe, the European Technology Platform for Water. “To secure sovereignty, resilience and competitiveness, the EU must treat water as a strategic asset and dedicate € 300 billion”, declares Water Europe, the European Technology Platform for Water.

Water Europe President Hans Goossens agrees that Europe needs to invest to defend itself against hostile regimes and the risks posed by weapons and drones. “But let us not forget that climate extremes, from devastating droughts to catastrophic floods, can undermine our societies just as severely. We need to defend a water-resilient Europe, too”, said Goossens recently on Linkedin.

Test for water resilience

In October Water Europe presented its position paper ‘Securing Europe’s Future through Strategic Water Investment’. In this paper the European Commission is urged to recognise water as a strategic asset in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Water Europe wanta to allocate the € 3 bn funding in three pillars. € 255 bn to meet EU legal obligations on water, under the EU prosperity and security fund. € 35 bn to mobilise private investment and innovation for a water-smart economy, through a European Competitiveness Fund. € 10 bn for resilience against droughts, floods, and disasters, via civil protection and external action funds. “This is more than a budget request. It is a test of whether the EU treats water as strategic infrastructure, on par with energy, transport, and defence”, stated Water Europe in an article on the European media network EURACTIV.

EU sets other priorities

According to Water Europe the costs of water stress in Europe could rise to € 500 bn by 2050. In July, the European Commission tabled its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), covering 2028–2034. Nearly € 2 trillion, 1.26% of Europe’s gross national income, has been set aside to strengthen the EU’s independence, security, and competitiveness. But it lacks structural funding for water resilience.

Risks of insufficient water funding

In the EURACTIV article Water Europe notes that the European Commission has identified an annual € 23 bn investment gap in water infrastructure. Water received less than 3% of the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund, far behind energy, transport, and defence. ‘Meanwhile, the risks are mounting. Droughts in Spain and Italy are already reducing crop yields. Floods in Slovenia and Germany have caused billions of euros in damages. Semiconductor factories in France and Germany have warned of potential shutdowns during water shortages. Today, nearly € 100 billion in economic value is already at high risk. Without urgent investment, Europe could face GDP losses of up to € 500 bn by 2050’, warns Water Europe.

Water-Transition Fund

The European Technology Platform for Water pleads for establishing a Water-Transition Fund within the next MFF. This fund should accelerate the development of innovative water-smart technologies and optimise water infrastructure. Moreover, it is crucial to recognise water infrastructure as critical for security and resilience. In the position paper it is emphasized that water is enabling defence industry production and operations, so investing in water is an essential element of security and economic stability in Europe.

Water for economic growth

But water resilience is not just about avoiding crises. Water Europe: ‘Every euro invested in water generates € 2.35 in economic output and it creates 16,000 jobs per € 1 bn spent.’ To ensure a smart water future for Europe, Water Europe not only calls for 300 billion euros from EU funds, but also advocates establishing performance criteria for water quantity and quality, prioritising water in national investment plans, and supporting cross-cutting water objectives to create synergies with other EU strategies.

European Water Resilience Strategy

In June European Commissioner Jessika Roswall for Environment presented the European Water Resilience Strategy. She immediately admitted not all the money needed to implement the strategy was yet available. To implement the Water Resilience Strategy €55 billion is needed. Roswall: “Two-thirds of the money is already available via the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. The EIB will come with new money of 15 billion, but there is still an investment gap. We will need extra investment from the private sector.”

Road Map Nature Credit

In July the European Commission presented a Road Map Nature Credit to gain more funding. This roadmap sets out a path to achieving extra funding. The aim is to complement different sources of nature finance such as public funding by supporting the development of nature credits that will turn investment in nature into a reliable engine of value creation.

European Parliament wants long term funding

The rapporteur for the Water Resilience Strategy MEP Thomas Bajada called on the European Commission before to ‘create a separate and dedicated fund for water resilience within the upcoming MFF’. Bajada said that the current MFF’s lack of a specific water line or binding funding targets limits the EU’s ability to invest strategically in water infrastructure and resilience. Long-term funding was one of the key priorities in the report of the European Parliament.

Adoption process next Multiannual Financial Framework

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission formally presented its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The proposal now goes into the negotiation phase: with the European Parliament (which must consent) and the Member States (Council) over roughly 18–24 months. Negotiations between the Commission, Parliament, and Member States. Both co-legislators will propose amendments, find compromise positions, and seek political agreement. The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) becomes definitive once it is formally adopted by the Council of the European Union, after receiving the consent of the European Parliament.