Aqua Publica was one of the co-conveners of the 4th “European Enablers Dialogue”, held in Seville on 17–18 June. The event was co-organised by the Global Water Operators'​ Partnerships Alliance/UN-Habitat (GWOPA) and our member, EMASESA Metropolitana.

Representatives from water utilities, associations, local authorities, and development agencies gathered to discuss the conditions necessary to scale up not-for-profit Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) as a key mechanism for strengthening the water sector’s capacities and, consequently, for realising the human right to water globally.

Experiences shared from successful projects highlighted that long-term commitment, professionalisation, continuity, and trust are essential for effective partnerships. These, in turn, require an enabling legal framework and stable funding mechanisms to ensure the full potential of WOPs is realised — with a growing number of European utilities becoming involved.

In this context, the dialogue was particularly timely, coinciding with the launch of the second phase of the EU WOP Facility — one of the most significant financing instruments globally in support of WOPs. This reaffirms the EU’s leading role in promoting the human right to water. Nevertheless, ensuring adequate legal and financial conditions within EU Member States remains crucial.

In addition to EMASESA Metropolitana, our members Hamburg Wasser, Societa' Metropolitana Acque Torino, Budapest Waterworks, and Eau de Paris were among the contributors.