Europe’s water challenges are no longer a distant concern—they are here, impacting communities, economies, and ecosystems. The EU Blue Deal has laid the groundwork for a sustainable water future, but progress doesn’t end with a declaration. With significant milestones already achieved, the focus now turns to building momentum and driving tangible change.

This part II shifts the spotlight to what’s happening now and what lies ahead for the Blue Deal. It’s about taking the vision off the page and putting it into action—mobilizing funding, deepening collaboration, and ensuring Europe’s water security becomes a reality. The journey is far from over, and every step forward counts.

Need the Gist? Check out the infographic below for a quick, visual summary of the key points!

Current Status of the Blue Deal

The Blue Deal is presently in the advocacy stage. To date, the EESC has:

• Adopted the Blue Deal Declaration: On October 2023, the EESC formally adopted the Blue Deal Declaration, which outlines its core principles, strategic goals, and proposed actions. This marks a significant milestone in aligning EU member states toward water sustainability and security.
• Engaged Stakeholders: The EESC has actively engaged with EU institutions, national governments, civil society organizations, and industry stakeholders to raise awareness about the initiative and refine its strategic framework. These engagements aim to build consensus around the importance of water security as a central element of the EU’s policy agenda.
• Preliminary Political Support: The Blue Deal has garnered preliminary political interest from several EU member states, which is critical for turning the proposals into actionable policies.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The EESC has launched campaigns to educate citizens and communities on Europe’s water challenges, highlighting how sustainable practices and investments in infrastructure can benefit both the environment and the economy.
• Proposed the Blue Transition Fund: Achieving the Blue Deal’s ambitious goals requires significant financial investment. The EESC has proposed the establishment of a “Blue Transition Fund” to support sustainable water management, infrastructure modernization, and research into innovative water technologies. While this fund is not yet formally established, the proposal highlights the EU’s commitment to aligning water priorities with its broader green transition funding.

What’s next?

The next steps for the EU Blue Deal include:

• Securing Funding: The EESC will work closely with EU institutions to formalize the Blue Transition Fund, ensuring adequate financial resources to achieve the initiative’s ambitious goals.
• Policy Integration: The Blue Deal aims to integrate its principles into broader EU frameworks. This will involve legislative proposals and alignment with member states’ national strategies.
• Scaling Collaboration: Cross-border cooperation will be intensified, particularly for shared water resources like rivers, lakes, and aquifers, to promote equitable and effective water management.
• Monitoring Progress: The EESC will establish mechanisms to monitor and report on the progress of the Blue Deal, ensuring transparency and accountability in achieving its objectives.

The EU Blue Deal envisions a future where sustainable and resilient water management safeguards Europe’s water security for generations to come. By prioritizing investment, collaboration, and innovation, the initiative represents a pivotal step toward addressing one of Europe’s most pressing environmental challenges.

References & Resources

• Water stress is a major and growing concern in Europe
• EU Blue Deal
• Declaration for an EU Blue Deal