Registrations are now open. Please register here

The European Water Resilience Strategy (EWRS) estimates the annual gap in water-related investments at around €23 billion (or 0.1% of EU GDP). Increasing investment flows towards “all stages of water management” is therefore identified by the EWRS as one the five key enabling areas to strengthen our resilience in water resource management. To this end, the Commission outlines in the EWRS a series of initiatives aimed at leveraging additional investments from both the private and the public sector, including through EU funding instruments.

As some of the key actors in managing water services and infrastructure across Europe, local and regional governments and public water operators play a central role in planning, financing and implementing water-related investments. Strengthening their capacity to access and effectively use EU and national funding is therefore essential to achieve the objectives of the EWRS.

Jointly organised by Aqua Publica Europea and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, this webinar aims to provide an overview of the additional financial resources for water-related investments available under the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), as well as of the financial support that could be made available under the next MFF, based on the Commission’s proposal. It will also provide insight into the new Water Resilience Programme recently adopted by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The webinar will also offer an opportunity to examine the conditions for the effective use of EU funding through a panel discussion including expert representatives of local authorities and water operators.

Agenda

09:30 – 09:40: Introductory remarks

• Andrea Carli – Councillor of Friuli Venezia Guilia Region and CEMR spokesperson of the environment

09:40 – 10:10: EU support for water investments in the current and future MFF

• Claudia Olazabal – Head of Unit for Sustainable Freshwater Management, European Commission
• Questions Answers

10:10 – 10:40: The Water Resilience Programme and the new Advisory Facility of the European Investment Bank

• James Hunt – Senior Water Engineer, European Investment Bank
• Questions Answers

10:40 – 10:55: Expert reactions
10:55 – 11:00: Closing remarks APE

• Francesco Mascolo – CEO, MM and Vice-President of APE