Concept note

Water resilience and climate adaptation are strategic objectives of the EU. Water, even in Europe, is increasingly becoming a critical resource that affects climate adaptation policies, food security, and industrial development, requiring a more systemic and cross-sectoral approach.

The effects of extreme events induced by climate change generate unprecedented challenges in territories that are often already fragile due to their hydrogeological features, with devastating impacts on local communities. In the past four years alone, over 20 European regions have experienced severe flooding events. As a result, Member States have requested contributions from the EU Solidarity Fund, with a total estimated damage exceeding €63 billion. It is estimated that by 2030, half of Europe’s river basins will be affected by extreme weather and drought, and that damage costs will impact around 1.5% of EU GDP by 2050.

Against this backdrop, water security is now a priority on the EU's political agenda. Preparedness and water resilience policies are key strategic pillars, together with the continuous updating of climate risk assessments with the purpose of improving the resilience of territories, infrastructures, ecosystems, and local economies.

The European Commission has included this priority in the main strategic roadmaps, starting with the Competitiveness Compass¹– adopted on January 29^th, 2025 – which also outlines actions aimed at improving integrated water management practices and supporting related infrastructures. The Water Resilience Strategy²– adopted on June 4^th, 2025 – aims to make the EU more resilient through an integrated policy approach, structured around three key objectives:

• Restoring and protecting the water cycle to ensure a sustainable water supply;
• Building a water-smart economy together with citizens and economic actors in a way that supports EU competitiveness, is attractive to investors, and supports a thriving EU water industry;
• Securing clean and affordable water and sanitation for all at all times, and empowering citizens.

The Water Resilience Strategy covers five key policy areas³, including “Security and preparedness to boost collective resilience”.

Water security is also an increasing priority for regional and local governments. According to the 2024 State of Regions and Cities Report by the European Committee of the Regions, local and regional governments are responsible for implementing 70% of climate mitigation measures and 90% of adaptation actions. Moreover, 80% of investments are made at the local level.

It is therefore crucial to recognise the pivotal role of regions in prevention, planning, emergency response, and reconstruction efforts.

It is also urgent to create an Alliance of European Regions facing similar needs and challenges. Starting with those affected by floods, drought, and water scarcity, a European Regions Alliance will enable collective action with the purpose of exchanging and identifying common effective solutions.

The objective of the Alliance is threefold

1. The first objective of the European regional Alliance is to respond to the political call for a strong involvement of regions and local communities in shaping EU-level policies on security, preparedness, resilience, and adaptation, as well as in EU fund management.
   In this sense, the Alliance will promote the central role of regions in programming and implementing adaptation interventions, with a particular focus on managing the risks of droughts, floods, and storm surges. These efforts aim to ensure more resilient communities and territories, including emergency management and reconstruction following the “build back better” principle. The Alliance will also advocate for enhanced multilevel governance and a place-based approach to EU intervention policies. This is essential to ensure that EU funds are effectively used, and investments are aligned with the real needs of local communities and citizens.
2. The second objective is to jointly call for an increased EU investment in climate resilience and adaptation policies at the territorial level.
   Following the Mid-Term Review⁴ and the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the Alliance will support the strengthening of resources dedicated to water and territorial security, particularly for:
• Emergencies caused by flooding;
• Emergencies caused by prolonged drought and desertification;
• Increased allocations to the EU Solidarity Fund and activation of dedicated financing instruments from the European Investment Bank;
• Investments in widespread prevention and adaptation measures.

3. Finally, the third objective of the Alliance is to establish a common platform to share best practices adopted across European regions, also through EU project, in the following areas:

• Governance models and decision-making processes in the regions; enhancing participatory processes with local communities and stakeholders in planning and managing resilience, adaptation, and climate mitigation policies;
• Strategies and plans for climate change prevention, adaptation, and risk management;
• Early warning systems, emergency management, and coordination of civil protection plans and interventions;
• Use of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and satellite data for forecasting, emergency response, reconstruction, and territorial reprogramming;
• Promotion of a widespread culture of “Security and preparedness” and the development of entrepreneurial capacities to foster a resilience-based economy.

Notes

¹ COM(2025) 30, A Competitiveness Compass for the EU.

² COM(2025) 280, European Water Resilience Strategy

³ 1. Governance and implementation, 2. Finance, investments, and infrastructure, 3. Digitalisation, 4. Innovation, industry and skills, 5. Security and preparedness

⁴COM(2025) 163, A modernised Cohesion policy: The mid-term review