GOVAQUA project

🌍 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐎 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐱, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞💧 On 7 October 2024, more than 80 experts and stakeholders gathered in person in the 2nd GOVAQUA seminar targeted at the river basin management community at the INBO General Assembly in Bordeaux. This event focused on innovative water governance practices and assessing water governance systems. ✨ 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱: • Reflections from GOVAQUA event in Valencia 2023: The seminar began with insights from the first GOVAQUA event held in Valencia setting the foundation for the ongoing governance innovation discussions. An online survey of innovative water governance practices has since collected 40 examples across Europe, and still welcomes additional entries eventually listed in a good practices repository ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dwF2q-kY • Innovative governance practices: Key presentations GOVAQUA, InnWater and RETOUCH NEXUS projects together forming WaterGovernance 2027 Synergy Group covered topics such as water allocation and ecological flows, economic instruments, social innovation, citizen engagement, and digital solutions. 🚰 • GOVAQUA Assessment tool: This newly introduced tool is designed for river basin managers and stakeholders for self-assessing water governance systems and their development needs. Currently being tested in GOVAQUA Living Labs across Europe, the tool supports improving transparency, inclusivity, and cross-sectoral collaboration in water governance. 🛠️ • Interactive discussions: The seminar featured 2 interactive Wooclap sessions, where participants provided real-time feedback on governance tools and discussed how innovative practices can be applied across different regions. 🗣️📊 • Key messages: Participants emphasized that effective water governance is essential for building resilience against climate challenges like droughts and floods. Learning from innovative good practices put in place across Europe helps strengthening regulatory frameworks, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, integrating economic instruments, and encouraging citizen engagement. 🏞️💡 🌍 Looking ahead, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐀 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄-𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐎 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚, 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲, 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, focusing on pathways to sustainable water governance.💧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:  https://lnkd.in/dUxvnqYS https://lnkd.in/dC9ZVjsR   #watergovernance #HorizonEurope #GOVAQUA #sustainability #INBO2024 #resilience #innovation

Season’s greetings from GOVAQUA! Looking back at 2024… 💠 Our research teams on legal and regulatory approaches, participatory and collaborative approaches, economic and financial instruments and digital solutions for information sharing have completed their comprehensive reviews and are currently busy with case study analyses and comparisons. 💠 Our #LivingLabs in Finland, France, Romania, Spain and the UK have started their active stakeholder engagement and co-creation, applying the GOVAQUA Assessment tool for water governance innovations with local partners to reach a shared understanding of the challenges at hand and the desired future states, and agreed on innovative practices to be further experimented with 💠 We have launched our first digital tool with the lead of the UK CEH and the Rivers Trust https://lnkd.in/gfa5zayP, providing past and current data on river conditions in the Oxford area 💠 We have had excellent discussions with our audiences in our #WaterGovernance2027 Synergy Group webinar in the #EUGreenWeek, INBO World General Assembly in Bordeaux, Alliance for Water Stewardship Global Forum in Edinburgh, #Water4All consultative workshop and special session in the IAHR Conference in Lisbon, among others 💠 We’ve launched two policy briefs to support the EU #WaterResilienceStrategy development: 🔹 Water resilience is built with better water governance with the WaterGovernance2027 Synergy Group https://lnkd.in/d93AtiqW   🔹 Building water resilience: Towards better implementation of ecological flows and water allocation in Europe https://lnkd.in/dTVgW_nz In 2025, we look forward to sharing more publications, completing our case study analyses and systematic comparison, diving deeper into experimentation in the Living Labs, EURO-INBO in Parma, and starting building our recommendations on transition pathways and good practices for sustainable and equitable water governance in Europe. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dU-EEa4q Many thanks for your collaboration and happy holidays! GOVAQUA Team  #WaterGovernance #HorizonEurope #UKRI

📰 Here's an excellent article that's a must-read! 👏

💧𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗤𝗨𝗔 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲💧 As Europe faces more frequent droughts and growing water scarcity, pressure on water resources and aquatic ecosystems is increasing. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗤𝗨𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 explains how improved implementation of ecological flows - the amount of water needed to maintain healthy ecosystems - and more efficient water allocation systems are key to building resilience in the face of these challenges. The brief calls for stronger regulations to ensure ecological flows are integrated into national water policies and river basin management plans. It also emphasizes the need for a fairer approach to water allocation, balancing the demands of human use with the preservation of ecosystems. Collaboration between sectors, as well as improved monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, are crucial to making these systems work effectively. 📌 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗤𝗨𝗔 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳: 1. Strengthen regulations to ensure ecological flows are fully defined and implemented in water policies. 2. Develop more coordinated and equitable systems for water allocation, ensuring a balance between human needs and environmental sustainability. 3. Foster greater stakeholder engagement to ensure that water management decisions are inclusive and take all interests into account. 4. Improve monitoring and enforcement tools to ensure compliance and prevent illegal water use. The GOVAQUA project is actively contributing by providing research and innovative solutions to help policymakers and water managers adopt best practices for water governance and ecological flow management. 🌿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 to learn how we can secure a more sustainable water future! --> https://urlr.me/y2tZc #WaterResilience  #EcologicalFlows  #WaterGovernance  #ClimateChange #Ecologicinstitute #WaterAllocation

Horizon Magazine features our work together with BIONEXT Project on tackling Europe's #water challenges with various actors and water users, and zooms into our #LivingLab's in Crau, France led by UMR G-Eau and in Dunavăț, Romania led by WWF-Romania. #HorizonMagazine #HorizonEurope #waterscarcity #waterrights #waterresilience #naturerestoration #wetlands Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) - Suomen ympäristökeskus (Syke)

🌍 GOVAQUA Seminar 2024: Innovative Water Governance Practices - Insights from Horizon Europe Projects 🌍 The GOVAQUA Seminar will take place on October 7, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Cité Mondiale Congress Center in Bordeaux, France, during the INBO General Assembly 2024. This seminar will focus on the GOVAQUA project, advancing its processes with collective support, while also promoting key outputs like the GOVAQUA assessment tool. The event will highlight innovative water governance practices, incorporating insights from WaterGovernance2027 projects, including InnWater and RetouchNexus, to enhance governance strategies and resilience. 🗓 Key Highlights: - Overview of the GOVAQUA project, alongside InnWater and RetouchNexus, with a focus on innovative water governance and EU water resilience. - Interactive reflection: Review of progress since the 2023 Valencia event and exchange of best practices. - Innovative practices: Insights on water governance, including integration, environmental flows, and digital solutions. GOVAQUA AssessmenttTool: Presentation and feedback on the tool to evaluate water governance. 💡 This session is an opportunity for River Basin Organizations and other stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing process of GOVAQUA’s achievements, helping to shape the future of water governance. 📍 In-person Venue: Room "Brasilia," Cité Mondiale Congress Center, 18 Parvis des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux, France. #WaterGovernance #GOVAQUA2024 #WaterResilience #HorizonEurope #INBO2024 #ClimateAction

It is great to see #water being highlighted on the agenda of the new European Commission. GOVAQUA, InnWater and RETOUCH NEXUS projects with their Water Europe member organisations are actively working on innovative #watergovernance instruments, approaches and arrangements to enhance #wateresilience in Europe. Our first results are highlighted in our recent policy brief "Water resilience is built with better water governance" - have a look here: https://lnkd.in/d93AtiqW.

Today marks the final stage of our tour of the Living Labs in the GOVAQUA project! In the GOVAQUA project, Living Labs are taking place to collaboratively develop and test innovative water governance and management solutions in real-world settings. 🌍 Spotlight on the Dunavăț, Danube Delta Living Lab 🌍 - A #GOVAQUA project Living Lab 🧪 The Danube Delta, Europe’s largest natural delta, supports over 300 bird species, 139 fish species, and around 10,000 residents, providing vital ecosystem services like clean water, flood protection, and carbon sequestration. However, historical land-use changes during the communist regime drained natural wetlands for farmland, causing biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and social inequities. Traditional livelihoods, especially fishing, have suffered, and areas like Dunavățu de Sus have seen sharp declines in local income and increased deserted houses. 💧 Restoring these wetlands is crucial for biodiversity and local quality of life. Benefits include improved water quality, flood protection, and revived traditional economies like fishing and tourism. A WWF-Romania survey shows over 97% of Murighiol-Dunavăț residents support wetland restoration. 🔎 The Dunavăț Living Lab, part of the GOVAQUA project, fosters local stakeholder collaboration to develop innovative water governance strategies. By promoting open dialogue and equitable participation, it aims to create sustainable water governance benefiting both people and nature. 🤝 Discussion and co-creation will enhance collaboration, bringing together river stakeholders to envision a sustainable future for the Danube Delta. Working together: Office International de l'Eau 💧 WWF-Romania 💧Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) 💧Ecologic Institute 💧Cetaqua - Water Technology Centre 💧Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) - Suomen ympäristökeskus (Syke) 💧INRAE 💧The Rivers Trust💧 University of Twente 💧 Universidad de Córdoba💧UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)

In Finland and Sweden, the focus is on governance and practical measures for sustainable hydropower, as well as collaborative approaches between the two countries. A #GOVAQUA project Living Lab 🧪 🌍 Hydropower has a reputation for being climate neutral, even green, as it is a renewable energy source. Hydropower meets almost 20% of the global electricity needs and remains one of the cheapest sources of electricity. However, hydropower is detrimental to biodiversity. Lakes, reservoirs and rivers cover only about 2% of the Earth's surface, but host about 10% of all known animal species (Reid et al. 2019). Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened environments globally, and river biodiversity has been hit particularly hard. 💧 For hydropower to be environmentally sustainable in supporting freshwater biodiversity, there is a clear need for regulation and governance. 🔎 The Nordic Hydropower Living Lab aims to build more collaboration on the future of different levels of governance, research and stakeholders related to hydropower in the two countries. A key outcome will be lessons learned from neighbouring countries, how different approaches have been put into practice and how challenges have been overcome. 🤝 Discussion and co-creation will strengthen further collaboration with different stakeholders. In the end, river stakeholders from different sectors will be brought together to envision the future of sustainable hydropower. Working together: Office International de l'Eau 💧 WWF-Romania 💧Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) 💧Ecologic Institute 💧Cetaqua - Water Technology Centre 💧Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) - Suomen ympäristökeskus (Syke) 💧INRAE 💧The Rivers Trust 💧 University of Twente 💧 Universidad de Córdoba 💧UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)

New Policy Brief out: Water resilience is built with better water governance   #Waterresilience has become a hot topic in Europe as the continent is experiencing more severe #droughts and #floods because of climate change, and the health of #waterecosystems continues to decline. A new policy brief by the Horizon Europe funded GOVAQUA project, InnWater and RETOUCH NEXUS project emphasizes the critical role of #watergovernance in enabling water resilience and recommends innovative practices spanning beyond the traditional water sector. Key recommendations include raising water high on the #EU and national policy agendas, cross-sectoral regulatory approach, enhanced collaboration between public, private, and civil society actors, novel financing schemes, and accessible digital tools for monitoring and information sharing.   Watch a recording of a webinar launching the brief and also access the brief here: https://lnkd.in/dBxJyANx)     #WaterResilience #WaterGovernance #HorizonEurope #ClimateChange #Innovation #PolicyBrief