The European Union invests millions in water protection through an unprecedented international water cooperation program. Brussels has given the green light to 21 projects aimed at optimizing the management of river basins across various continents.
International projects to protect water
This initiative, developed in collaboration with the International Network of Basin Organizations (RIOC), has the main objective of reinforcing water security through the exchange of knowledge among experts. In turn, it aims to boost new public and private investments to ensure water protection in the future.
A total of four continents have established a strategic alliance to protect their freshwater reserves. Through direct cooperation, specific technologies and effective solutions will be shared to improve the situation of rivers and aquifers at risk.
This collaborative learning strategy is urgent due to the impact of climate change, prolonged droughts, and the growing global consumption of water. The approval of these projects was announced at the XIII World Summit of Basins in Rio de Janeiro, which brought together specialists and international authorities.
Each project will receive funding of 1.5 million euros, allowing the implementation of technical programs in different regions of the world. In total, 49 international organizations will benefit from these funds to improve water management and resilience against environmental challenges.
The program, known as Peer-to-Peer, promotes a collaborative approach among entities responsible for managing river basins. The intention is for institutions with similar challenges to share technologies and experiences to improve the conservation of water resources.
European official Marjeta Jager highlighted the importance of comprehensive management of water resources, emphasizing the relevance of basin planning, community participation, and cross-border cooperation.
Moreover, it is recognized that public funds are insufficient to face future water-related challenges. Therefore, the Global Gateway strategy seeks to involve the private sector through a combination of grants, loans, and guarantees to reduce investment risk.
Currently, the investment portfolio exceeds 4 billion euros, with the goal of increasing this figure to 6 billion in the coming years. These resources will be allocated to infrastructures such as water treatment plants and distribution networks.
The sustainable management of water is a crucial challenge of the 21st century. Factors such as population growth, pressure on ecosystems, and climate change demand new forms of cooperation to ensure safe water for millions of people.
The European Union is leading this global effort, highlighting the strategic importance of water. By combining international cooperation, technical innovation, and investment, it seeks to strengthen water security and the protection of aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
