LIFE: Strategic Solutions for Europe’s River Basins

Experts from 39 LIFE projects gathered in Brussels for two days of intensive discussions and workshops addressing the critical state of Europe’s river basins and the search for solutions toward a more sustainable water future.
The LIFE platform meeting — organised by CINEA together with LIFE BELINI and the Flanders Environment Agency (VMM) — brought together over 100 participants from 21 EU countries.

“We are not managing our water resources as we should. Crises and more extreme events await us. Water resilience must become a European priority,” said Claudia Olazabal, Head of the Freshwater Management Unit, DG Environment, European Commission.

Only 39.5% of EU surface water bodies currently achieve “good” ecological status, and 26.8% meet “good” chemical standards. The event explored innovative solutions for pollution control, nature-based solutions (NBS), water governance, and digitalisation in water management.

Strategic Integrated Projects (LIFE SIPs) were highlighted for their capacity to mobilise additional funding, drive innovation, and foster cross-border cooperation — especially through the Danube River Basin Management Plan, where close coordination between EU Member States is essential.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research :

The LIFE platform in Brussels underscored Europe’s urgent need to rethink water management strategies.
For Ukraine and the Lower Danube region, such initiatives are of strategic importance:

First, the experience of LIFE SIP can be applied to Ukraine’s sub-basin management plans for the Danube, Tysa, and Prut rivers, in line with the EU Water Framework Directive.

Second, nature-based solutions and digital monitoring systems can serve as the foundation for joint Ukrainian–Romanian–Moldovan projects in the Danube Delta.

Third, LIFE demonstrates a model of cooperation that unites science, governance, and communities — an approach the Institute of Danube Research is actively promoting for sustainable development of the Ukrainian Danube region.

“Ukraine should not only adopt EU practices but also integrate into the LIFE network as an equal partner, contributing its own projects in water resilience, biodiversity, and green recovery,” — stated the Institute of Danube Research.