Every Drop Counts: Water Resilience Begins Locally
“Every Drop Counts” was created to put the spotlight on the essential role of local governments in building water resilience in Europe.
In the face of increasing droughts, floods, and water scarcity, municipalities and regions are already developing concrete, innovative solutions on the ground. Yet, these efforts often remain invisible at the European level.
These graphics respond to this gap by making local actions visible, connecting good practices across borders, and strengthening the voice of local governments in water-related policymaking.
Austria
Organisation: City Council of Graz
Country: Austria
Title of the initiative: Implementing multifunctional urban plant beds in Graz
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
- Underground root zone extensions with biochar-based structural substrates.
- Infiltration troughs sown with wildflower mixtures.
- Greening and addressing biodiversity by improvement of the urban water cycle and permanent urban carbon sinks with biochar.
Czech Republic
Organisation: State Land Office of the Czech Republic
Country: Czech Republic
Title of the initiative: Set of landscape measures “Behind the village”
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
- By creating several polders north of the village, part of the built-up area was protected from floods.
- These landscape features were made possible thanks to the State Land Office, which offers a unique service to municipalities, farmers and landowners – land consolidation.
Denmark
Organisation: Copenhagen
Country: Denmark
Title of the initiative: Climate resilient neighbourhoods
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
- Copenhagen has developed water-sensitive urban design solutions, including rain gardens and green roofs, that capture and reuse rainwater while increasing urban resilience.
France
Organisation: Métropole Grand Nancy
Country: France
Title of the initiative: Challenge ecod’o
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
- It reduces water consumption.
- 77% of participants to Ecod’o surveyed started limiting their consumption after starting.
Organisation: Région Grand Est
Country: France
Title of the initiative: Etudes de l’État quantitatif des ressources en eau du Grand Est : prospective à milieu et fin de siècle et propositions d’actions
Category: Securing Water Supply and climate Resilience
Explanation of the initiative:
Etude de l’état quantitatif des ressources en eau et prospective 2030, 2050 et 2070: The study titled “État quantitatif des ressources en eau du Grand Est : prospective à milieu et fin de siècle et propositions d’actions” is a comprehensive initiative aimed at assessing and anticipating the future availability and demand for water resources in the Grand Est region of France. Structured in multiple phases, the study begins with a regional analysis that includes a synthesis of existing data and the definition of homogeneous sectors. Subsequent phases evaluate the balance between water resources and needs for the mid-century (2030-2050) and end-of-century (2080-2100) timeframes. The study identifies areas at risk of water deficits and proposes adaptive measures to address potential imbalances. By providing detailed reports and annexes for each phase, the study serves as a vital tool for policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies for sustainable water management in the face of climate change and evolving regional demands.Organisation: Métropole Européenne de Lille (Lille Métropole)
Country: France
Title of the initiative: Les gardiennes de l’eau
Category: Securing water supply and climate resilience
Explanation of the initiative:
- Commitment of Lille Metropole and 29 of its municipalities to a water protection project in the southern part of the metropolis.
- It addresses sustainable development and quality of life by supporting local actors.
- The initiative rethinks housing, agriculture, mobility, public services, and non-polluting economic activities to protect groundwater.
Organisation: Tours
Country: France
Title of the initiative: Préservation de la ressource en eau
Category: Smart Infrastructure and technological innovation
Explanation of the initiative:
- Reorganises water meter management to gain more precise knowledge of water usage and detect leaks.
- Promotes the use of natural water by reducing impermeable surfaces and planting rain trees.
- Introduces drought-tolerant vegetation in landscaping projects.
Organisation: Sete Agglopole Mediterranée
Country: France
Title of the initiative: Reuse of the filter backwash water from the Sète drinking water treatment plant
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
- The spring water for Sète is filtered before becoming drinkable.
- During filter cleaning, around 100,000 m³ of dirty water was previously discarded into the wastewater system.
- The new system captures and treats this backwash water with a parallel filtration system.
- The cleaned water is reinjected into the beginning of the treatment process.
- This saves approximately 80,000 m³ of water per year.
Organisation: Eau du Bassin Rennais
Country: France
Title of the initiative: Terres de Sources: A local label to reconcile water quality, agriculture and food supply
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
It supports agricultural practices and increases the economic value of engaged farms. Based on water analysis, the project orders producers’ specifications. It stimulates product demand issued from municipalities. The label is built collaboratively to bring together citizens and actors in food production around water protection.
Germany
Organisation: Oldenburg Municipality
Country: Germany
Title of the initiative: Interreg NSR FIER (Floodings, Infrastructure, Evacuation, Resilience)
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
Development of routines and tools to enable governments, crisis management organisations, and citizens in the North Sea Region to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-induced floods by 2027.
Latvia
Organisation: Jelgava and Tukums municipalities
Country: Latvia
Title of the initiative: Life goodwater IP
Category: Wastewater management and sanitation
Explanation of the initiative:
- Improvement of the ecological quality of Latvia’s rivers and lakes by 2027.
- Targets 530 water bodies at risk by reducing pollution from urban wastewater, agriculture, and forestry.
- Restores river ecosystems and strengthens water management practices.
- Promotes stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, and policy improvement.
- Supports implementation of Latvia’s River Basin Management Plans in line with EU Water Framework Directive goals.
Organisation: Jelgava and Tukums municipalities
Country: Latvia
Title of the initiative: Valmieras ūdens – metering system
Category: Smart Infrastructure and technological innovation
Explanation of the initiative:
- Implementation of an innovative ultrasonic meter system for cold water consumption with remote data reading in Valmiera municipality.
- Objective is to provide high-quality, convenient, and safe water management services to citizens.
- Allows remote and accurate data acquisition on water consumption and facility-specific water supply monitoring.
Norway
Organisation: Bodø Municipality
Country: Norway
Title of the initiative: B-WaterSmart
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
- Part of a European collaboration on smart water management and circular economy models.
- The project targets reduced reliance on freshwater and better reuse strategies.
Organisation: Horten Municipality
Country: Norway
Title of the initiative: “Miljølandsbyen Skoppum” (The Skoppum eco village)
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
- A pilot housing area aiming for complete energy and water self-sufficiency.
- The project integrates local water reuse, treatment of greywater, and biogas production from waste.
- Collaboration includes the municipality, local water cluster, and universities.
Organisation: Gjøvik Municipality
Country: Norway
Title of the initiative: TransformAr Project
Category: Smart infrastructure and technological innovation
Explanation of the initiative:
- Gjøvik is participating in the EU-funded project TransformAr, testing innovative technologies to climate-proof its wastewater infrastructure and protect Mjøsa, a key drinking water source.
- Workshops brought together participants from various municipal departments, the Innlandet County Council, and other local stakeholders to better understand local context, impacts, and risks.
- Main climate risks include heavy rainfall and torrential rains, drought and forest fires, erosion, flooding, and subsequent quickclay slides.
Organisation: Hamar and Stavange
Country: Norway
Title of the initiative: Wider uptake project
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
These municipalities work with public utility companies to recover resources from wastewater, including nutrients and biogas, supporting a circular and sustainable system.
Poland
Organisation: The City of Opole
Country: Poland
Title of the initiative: Saving water
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
Modernisation of The Koras Square through planting tree and plants. Reuse of rain water to water all the plant thanks to two underground tanks build to collect rain water.
Organisation: City of Lodz Office
Country: Poland
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
The project aims to restorate the urban water ecosystem by shielding the Lamus River bed. It implements innovative methods of collecting rainwater and meltwater to strengthen the river bed. It has a positive impact on mitigating climate change. It will create a new biodiverse space in the city center.
Portugal
Organisation: Loures Municipality
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: 2% é H20
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
2% is H20 is a water efficiency project developed in the municipal swimming pools, whose equipment daily, by legal requirement, renews 2% of its total volume of water. Every 50 days is reused the water of a complete pool, which represents 7 pools per year. The 2% is H2O provides a new form of water reuse in urban environment, completely integrated into the dynamics of the city.
Organisation: Município de Arronches
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Açude de Mosteiros
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
The project aims to rehabilitate a wooden dam with a new inflatable structure to prevent sudden floods in winter and maintain a water area in summer. Creating green areas with biodiversity, recreational and leisure spaces, valuing nature and enhancing the mobility of users, is a proposal that aims to give new dynamics to the Region through the Rehabilitation of the dam system and urban facilities, in harmony between man and biodiversity.
Organisation: Município da Sertã
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Água é vida
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
Water is a precious commodity. In the municipality of Sertã, we live surrounded by this natural treasure: more than 80% of the municipality’s territory is bathed by rivers and streams. Water fuels our economy, gives us more life, and makes this region more beautiful and unique. But excessive and unnecessary consumption of this limited resource can lead to its scarcity. That’s why it’s so important that we know how to save today, so we can have and live tomorrow.
Organisation: Mourão
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Água para a Vida
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
Awareness-raising actions in the school context.
Organisation: Municipality of Águeda
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Águeda Drainage System – Flood Control
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
Every year there are floods in Águeda that cause damage and disruption. The General Drainage Plan for the City of Águeda presents a series of structural and complementary interventions aimed at improving the hydraulic performance of the drainage system, including pumping stations, helping to mitigate the risk of flooding, particularly in the lower part of the city, as well as protecting the city’s riverside areas from flooding when the river reaches higher levels.
Organisation: Câmara Municipal de Coruche
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Aproveitamento da água das piscinas – Sistema de recolha e valorização
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
Use water, from the water supply resulting from washing the filters of municipal swimming pools, rain from cobertura and transbordos. It is possible to remove all of the battery systems from reusing water.
Organisation: Laboratório da Paisagem
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Aqualastic: educate, reduce and revalue
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
It promotes plastic reduction and waste recovery through the installation of an EcoBarrier and custom filters in Guimarães. The project includes environmental education activities, awareness campaigns, and the promotion of circular economy strategies, focusing on single-use plastics and the recovery of waste collected through green infrastructures.
Organisation: Laboratório da Paisagem
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Ave for all
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
The project revitalized the Ave River, once one of the most polluted in Europe, promoting sustainable water management and engaging 45,000 residents across 14 parishes in Guimarães. It involved schools, volunteers, and local leaders in ecological restoration and environmental education. With visible improvements in river health and community engagement, it became a model for sustainable development and civic participation.
Organisation: Laboratório da Paisagem
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: BluePoint
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
It tackles marine plastic waste with sustainable, circular solutions. It builds a multi-stakeholder ecosystem to boost innovation, entrepreneurship, and internationalization, unlocking the value of marine plastics. By promoting a replicable circular economy model in the Atlantic region, the project reduces environmental impact, creates new business opportunities, and drives the maritime sector toward a Blue Circular Economy.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Caparide Stream Restoration with Nature-Based Solutions in Cascais
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
The Renaturalisation of the Caparide Stream relies on nature-based solutions that enable the restoration of the riparian ecosystem and the recolonisation by naturally associated communities, fostering the recreation and development of new natural habitats and increasing biodiversity. It also includes the regulation of water flow, preventing floods and protecting people and property in response to climate change.
Organisation: Municipality of Águeda and Laboratório da Paisagem
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: CApt2 – Circularity of water, by all and for all
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
CApt2 is a network project with eight partners in the thematic area of the Urban Water Cycle. The project aimed to improve water efficiency and increase the circularity of water use by applying an effective methodology to develop a plan that meets the main challenges of the different partners. In this context, the Municipality of Águeda has created a Local Action Group, involving citizens, and developed the Local Integrated Action Plan, which comprises nine actions spread over three main themes.
Organisation: Municipality of Leiria
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Citizen Awareness sessions – natural engineering
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
The Municipality of Leiria promoted public Awareness Sessions in order to promote a set of basic skills that enable the population to act in areas related to the cleaning of watercourses. The sessions mainly focused on: River, riverbed and banks, Water domain, General implications, Water Law, Responsibility of owners, Measures for the conservation and rehabilitation of the hydrographic network, Importance of riparian vegetation.
Organisation: Laboratório da Paisagem
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: CLEANUP4Guimarães – Innovative CLEANing of unprecedented contamination of plastic waste from rivers in Guimarães
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
It tackles river plastic pollution through innovation, active citizenship, and sustainability. In partnership with the Landscape Laboratory and the University of Minho, Guimarães leads an ecological and circular initiative to protect biodiversity, turn waste into value, and inspire the country toward a cleaner, more conscious future.
Organisation: Câmara Municipal de Santa Cruz das Flores
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Comemoração do Dia Mundial da Água 2025
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
Every year the Municipality of Santa Cruz das Flores marks the water world day. This year,it was organised guided tour to a water reservoir in the municipality. These visits were carried out in collaboration with the Escola Básica e Secundária das Flores and their respective teachers and included 11 classes and more than 100 students, being the largest turnout recorded so far for this type of activity in the Municipality.
Organisation: Municipio do Funchal
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Control and monitoring of leaks in the water supply networks associated with the existing remote management system
Category: Smart infrastructure and technological innovation
Explanation of the initiative:
Need to address the high water losses, unsustainable from both an economic and environmental point of view. Improvement of the hydraulic system, namely by correctly managing pressure, replacing obsolete pipes, sectoring the network and centralising all the information via a command center.
Organisation: Câmara Municipal de Tavira
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Control of water loss reduction
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
The efficient management of water supply systems is currently one of the main objectives of the Municipality of Tavira. In this regard, a series of interventions is being carried out, mainly consisting of the installation of control devices, the reduction of water losses, and the replacement of pipelines with significant leaks.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Drop by Drop, the Waste Stop! – Smart Water Use in Cascais Schools
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
According to the Cascais Water Matrix, municipal schools are responsible for 13% of the municipality’s water consumption. Therefore, the Smart Water Use Project in Cascais Schools is essential to reduce water waste and raise awareness within the school community about water conservation. Water audits are being carried out in 64 schools, and measures are being implemented, such as installing flow reducers on taps and showers, dual-flush toilet systems, and rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing.
Organisation: Águas do Interior Norte
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Eficiência Hídrica no Combate à Poluição das linhas de àgua no Norte Interior
Category: Wastewater management and sanitation
Explanation of the initiative:
AdIN – Águas do Interior Norte, has as its corporate purpose the operation and management of water supply and distribution systems for public consumption, as well as the sewage systems of the Municipalities that make up its share capital.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Exhibition: Until the Last Drop at Cascais Museum of the Sea
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
With an interactive component,the exhibition “Until the Last Drop” aims to serve as a call to action. It is a futuristic essay, where this life-giving resource becomes inaccessible in its original form, with technological mediation as the only means of access. The proposed setting is one of worship: a space for contemplation. An altar that floats and reacts to interaction, undulating endlessly. This artistic installation opens a space for reflection on the heavy water footprint of the Anthropocene.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Flood-Smart Stream: Rehabilitation and Renaturalisation of Sassoeiros Stream in Cascais
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
The Requalification of the Sassoeiros Stream promotes the improvement of river flow conditions through the construction of flood attenuation basins. This intervention, implemented using natural engineering methods, aims to ensure flood control, promoting the safety of people and property. The project also includes the creation of an 11-hectare green infrastructure equipped with rest areas, leisure and fitness facilities, featuring 5km of renaturalised watercourse and 5km of soft mobility pathways.
Organisation: Empresa Municipal de Água e Saneamento de Beja
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Projeto heróis da água
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
It aims to address the efficient use of water as water scarcity is a reality today. It focuses on environmental awareness, ensured through the initiative “EMAS in schools”. It focuses on community engagement, playing an active role in social integration and participation. It promotes innovation, research and development.
Organisation: Faro City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: In Faro Council public water supply network
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
Installation of District Metered Areas and telemetry of the biggest clients.
Organisation: Águas de Santarém – Empresa Municipal, S.A.
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Integrated Management of Supply Systems
Category: Smart infrastructure and technological innovation
Explanation of the initiative:
Over the past two years, Águas de Santarém has been rolling out an advanced system that unifies all field data into a single, intelligent platform for end-to-end water cycle management. By enabling real-time monitoring of network performance, it pinpoints high-pressure zones before they cause ruptures or outages, driving efficiency, sustainability, and a significant reduction in water losses.
Organisation: Município de Vila Nova de Famalicão
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: LIFE natural adapt 4 rural areas
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
It aims to implement innovative climate adaptation measures for sustainable water management in the Ribeira de Fradelos Basin, such as the implementation of wastewater reuse and community engagement. It addresses increasing droughts, flash floods and soil erosion, balancing economic activities with Portuguese and EU environmental goals.
Organisation: Lisbon City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Lisbon parks and gardens: the same green, the water is different. Sustainable irrigation with water
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
First licensed project in Portugal to reuse water for irrigation in municipal gardens, where reclaimed water started being used in an area of 30 hectares with an annual volume of 300,000 m³ and later extended to a new 38 hectares park rehabilitated to receive the World Youth Day in 2023. Addressing topics of concern such as droughts, greening the city, heatwaves or water efficiency, this was developed under the scope of the Lisbon’s Strategic Water Reuse Plan, enabling to save 3 mm3 of drinking water soon.
Organisation: Municipality of Marvão
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Marvão +Sustentável
Category: Governance and partnerships (public-private and public-public
Explanation of the initiative:
25 awareness raising activities among the population of the municipality, economic agents, institutions and youth to promote the consumption of tap water and the protection of water resources.
Organisation: Municipality of Lajes do Pico
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Mosaic Decorative Panel Project in the Calhau Bathing Area
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
Work is underway at the Calhau swimming pool, which includes the application of a decorative mosaic panel, with aesthetic value and also an essential ecological purpose. The aim of this project is to prevent the paints used in washing and repainting from being directed into the ocean, thus polluting the environment. The municipality of Lajes do Pico, at the suggestion of Monika Ehrensperger, began work on a decorative mosaic panel in the Calhau bathing area. The design is by Mrs. Mara.
Organisation: Municipality of Leiria
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Municipal Water Management Plan of Leiria (PMGA)
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
The Municipal Water Management Plan (PMGA) is a planning tool that aims to ensure the sustainable management of water resources at the municipal level. This plan establishes 32 priority measures and actions to guarantee the availability, quality and efficient use of water, taking into account local specificities of Leiria´s territory and the guidelines of national plans.
Organisation: Municipality of Baião
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Ovil river rehabilitation and enhancement project
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
It requalifies the main watercourses in the municipality in order to conserve biodiversity, protect water resources and adapt to climate change. It is characterised by enormous cultural and environmental potential and is approximately 16 km long, from its source to its mouth on the Douro River.
Organisation: Câmara Municipal de Palmela
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Palmela: investimento na redução de perdas de água
Category: Securing water supply and climate resilience
Explanation of the initiative:
Monitoring abnormal consumption in private networks. Replacement and upgrading of pipelines. Installation of water meters and monitoring of irrigation consumption. Controlling water losses in both public water supply networks and building-level (domestic) networks.
Organisation: Municipality of Águeda
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Pateira de fermentelos – rehabilitation and enhancement project
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
Clearing the invasive weeds (water hyacinth) from the lagoon, through mechanical removal, using a water harvester; to normalize the natural bed of the Pateira by dredging the excess sediment; rebuilding the small weir located at the confluence of Pateira and Águeda river are some of the measures implemented to promote nature conservation and protection and, consequently, the environmental and landscape restoration of the largest natural lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula – Pateira de Fermentelos.
Organisation: Município de Mafra
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: PERLA – strategic plan for the rehabilitation of watercourses in Mafra
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
Aims to rehabilitate and enhance several watercourses in the municipality of Mafra. Focuses on ecological restoration and the environmental and landscape valorisation of rivers and streams. Promotes the reduction of flood risks, improvement of water quality, and recovery of riparian habitats. Encourages community involvement and environmental awareness. Supports the sustainable management of water resources within a long-term strategic framework.
Organisation: Municipality of Leiria/ Municipal Water and Sanitation Services of Leiria (SMAS)
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Citizen Awareness campaigns: “Preciosos 1%”; “Água da Torneira com todo o Gosto”; “O Roubo de água é Crime”
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
SMAS de Leiria has promoted awareness campaigns aimed for the efficient and rational use of water, and also against the fraudulent use of water, such as: “Água da Torneira com Todo o Gosto”: The aim is to encourage the consumption of tap water in the Leiria region, avoiding bottled water consumption; “Preciosos 1%”: The aim was to alert the population to the scarcity of fresh drinking water on the planet ; “O Roubo de água é Crime” : is part of the plan to detect unauthorised water use.
Organisation: Câmara Municipal de Albergaria-a-Velha
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Rehabilitation of the hydrographic network
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
The project aimed to rehabilitate and enhance several streams that are tributaries of the Antuã and Jardim rivers, as well as the Fontão stream and the Canela estuary. It covered a total length of approximately 7 km, mainly crossing agricultural and forest areas. The project included the planting of 26,000 trees. The investment exceeded €250,000.
Organisation: Municipality of Águeda
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: River restoration project: promoting the ecological rehabilitation of the river area
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
The project aimed to rehabilitate and enhance several streams that are tributaries of the Antuã and Jardim rivers, as well as the Fontão stream and the Canela estuary. It covered a total length of approximately 7 km, mainly crossing agricultural and forest areas. The project included the planting of 26,000 trees. The investment exceeded €250,000.
Organisation: Municipality of Leiria
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Serviço Municipal de Proteção Ambiental
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
The Municipal Environmental Surveillance Service (SMVA) has the mission of protecting and monitoring the environment in our municipality, including water resources. The major goal is to prevent and reduce environmental incidents and violations, thereby contributing to the sustainability of the environment and natural resources in Leiria.
Organisation: Municipality of Odivelas
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Smart irrigation system of Colinas do Cruzeiro Urbanization
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
Solem Wi-Fi enables smart irrigation with remote control, real-time monitoring, and integration with urban systems. The management is base on the meterological factors such as temperature, moisture, solar radiation and wind. Solar panels ensure an energy-autonomous, eco-friendly solution aligned with public environmental goals and green space management best practices. With this it is possible to save around 40 to 50% of water consumption. This system is implemented and operating.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Smart Water Reuse System in Cascais Swimming Pools
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
About 2% of the total volume of water in public pools must be renewed daily for sanitary reasons.To improve water use efficiency, Cascais City Council has implemented measures in the municipality’s swimming pools: All sanitary facilities were subject to water audits and equipped with more water / Efficient taps,toilet flushes and showers -Pool renewal water is reused for toilet flushing through the implementation of an intelligent water reuse system. These measures have enabled savings of 20%.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Smart Water Reuse System in Cascais Swimming Pools
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
About 2% of the total volume of water in public pools must be renewed daily for sanitary reasons.To improve water use efficiency, Cascais City Council has implemented measures in the municipality’s swimming pools: All sanitary facilities were subject to water audits and equipped with more water / Efficient taps,toilet flushes and showers -Pool renewal water is reused for toilet flushing through the implementation of an intelligent water reuse system. These measures have enabled savings of 20%.
Organisation: Municipality of Leiria
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Strategic plan for the rehabilitation of watercourses in Leiria (PERLA)
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
Provides a diagnosis of the Leiria municipality’s 1,600 kilometres of water lines, where interventions are planned for recovery and maintenance over the coming years. Establish a strategy for management, protection and restoration of municipal waterways at the 44 critical points and sections identified, namely by establishing measures to reduce sources of pollution, to improve the quality of riparian vegetation and coordinate nature conservation with agricultural and forestry activities.
Organisation: Municipality of Lagoa – Azores
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: TRAN Lighthouses
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
Translighthouses aims to understand the strenghts and limitations of NBS design. It integrates 19 European partners, of wich 8 are pilot cases. The pilot case “Janela do Inferno” objective is to set a NBS at a local pedestrian trail, used with the sole purpose of leisure. The trail is over the waterpipe that supplies the Lagoa Municipality. This implies that the NBS must take in to account co-managment of infrastrutures, water security and quality and the preservation of the natural ecosystem.
Organisation: Município de Amares
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Urjalândia a circular
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
It occupies a vacant primary school in a low-density area and promotes a circular economy. One of the spaces created is the ‘biological ponds’, which reuse water from irrigation channels, rain, and surrounding drains. This water is stored and reused for irrigation, cleaning, and sanitation. Treatment is carried out using filtering plants, in a sustainable, nature-based solution.
Organisation: Municipalité of Loulé
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Use of water from alternative sources for non-potable urban uses
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
Innovative water reuse system: 500 m³ of high-quality water per month is pumped from access wells to the rock salt mine — water that was previously discharged into the stormwater drainage system. This water is pressurised using photovoltaic energy, stored in a 15 m³ reservoir, and used daily for irrigation and urban cleaning. The initiative reduces the use of potable water and delivers both environmental and economic benefits.
Organisation: Setúbal Municipality
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Várzea Urban Park
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
The Várzea Urban Park project, in its final stages of implementation, aims to establish itself as a green and blue infrastructure, combining climate regulation and water flows (controlling urban floods and combating “urban heat islands” through the creation of a climate refuge), the creation of an ecological corridor associated with the Livramento river, promoting ecosystem services, and the development of a recreational and leisure space for the population to enjoy.
Organisation: Mangualde Municipality
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Water reuse for production of biofuel – Public/Private partnership
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
Reuse of the water from our two biggest Sewer water treatment plant in the production of Green Methanol for descarbonization of the shipbuilding Industry. Private investment on a Private-Public cooperation providing the tools and the engagment necessary for a wide range of positive impacts not only for the region but also for the country given the project commitment to renewable energy, ecological conservation, sustainable and circular economic prosperity.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Water-Saving Kits for Cascais residents
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
The highest water consumption in Cascais occurs in households, mainly using taps and showers, accounting for 70% of the city’s total water consumption. The Municipality of Cascais has promoted various campaigns to encourage water savings among families and residents. The Water-Saving Kit, which includes 7 flow reducers for taps and showers, was distributed free of charge to 4,000 residents, also raising awareness about adopting good practices to save water in daily life.
Organisation: Cascais City Council
Country: Portugal
Title of the initiative: Water Wise: Saving Resources in Cascais Municipal Offices
Category: Environmentally responsible water management
Explanation of the initiative:
As part of the Environmental Management System of the Cascais City Council, municipal offices are undergoing studies and water audits to improve water efficiency in the buildings and reduce waste. This is being achieved through the installation of more efficient water devices (taps, showers, and toilet flush systems) and the use of rainwater for toilet flushing and garden irrigation. These water efficiency measures will help reduce water consumption for a total of 1,084 municipal employees.
Romania
Organisation: Tulcea Municipality
Country: Romania
Title of the initiative: RESTORIVER – Climate resilient, natural water retention focused restoration of riversides and riparian areas adversely affected by human interventions along the Danube and its tributaries within the Danube Region
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
RESTORIVER increases climate adaptation capacities of riversides and riparian areas – potentially reducing risk of droughts, floods and heatwaves – by harmonising, adapting and connecting higher level water management, climate adaptation and flood protection policies with local interventions, effectively serving complex, transnational water and climate adaptation systems and stakeholder networks.
Serbia
Organisation: The City of Sombor
Country: Serbia
Title of the initiative: RESTORIVER
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
It increases climate adaptation capacities of riversides and riparian areas. It reduces the risk of droughts, floods and heatwaves by harmonising, adapting and connecting higher-level water management, climate and flood protection policies with local interventions.
Spain
Organisation: eLankidetza – Basque Agency for Development and Solidarity
Country: Spain, El Salvador, Costa Rica
Title of the initiative: AKUAL – Interinstitutional Cooperation Programme on Water and Sanitation between Central America and the Basque Country
Category: Technical cooperation North-South-South
Explanation of the initiative:
It improves water and sanitation infrastructure in municipalities in El Salvador, strengthening the capacity of national water utilities in El Salvador and Costa Rica. It incorporates a gender perspective into both components. The third edition of the project will conclude in 2027.
Organisation: Ayuntamiento Zambrana
Country: Spain
Title of the initiative: Green water route and Pauleja’s wetland
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
The goal of the project is to restore this natural gem so that it continues to be a place for biodiversity and also to recover the original path of its waters so that it once again flows into the town’s wash house. Through the Green Water Route, improvements were created, and they range from creating an environmental information point midway along the route, to an amphibian pond and a butterfly oasis, installing insect hotels, cleaning up trash, improving the riverbed or installing nesting boxes for birds.
Organisation: City Council of Donostia/San Sebastian
Country: Spain
Title of the initiative: Municipal programme for the naturalisation of streams and waterways in Donostia/San Sebastián
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
The aim is to restore the natural morphology of the watercourses and associated ecosystems of streams and waterways that have been artificialised. Bioengineering techniques and nature-based solutions are employed, and native species are planted. Since 2017, work has been carried out on the Atxutxar, Landarbaso, Errekatxulo and Santa Teresa streams, and further work is planned for the coming years. Some of the actions are financed by European LIFE and NextGenerationEU funds.
Organisation: City Council of Donostia/San Sebastian
Country: Spain
Title of the initiative: Naturalisation of the Artikutza reservoir
Category: Protection of water resources and biodiversity
Explanation of the initiative:
The project includes three phases: draining of the Artikutza reservoir (2017-2019); recovery of the stream, the potential habitats of the emerged area and the associated fauna (in progress); and the partial demolition of the dam to ensure the continuity of the stream (work planned for 2026). The entire Artikutza estate is part of the Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to its natural values. The second and third phases are financed by European LIFE funds.
Organisation: Lasarte-Oria town hall
Country: Spain
Title of the initiative: The Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) of Digitalization of the Water Cycle / El Proyecto Estratégico para la Recuperación y Transformación Económica (PERTE) de Digitalización del Ciclo del Agua
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
The Strategic Project for the Recovery and Economic Transformation (PERTE) of Digitalization of the Water Cycle aims to modernize the water cycle in order to improve the efficiency of the urban water cycle, reducing water losses in distribution systems and improving waste water treatment infrastructures. In order to carry out all this, the DIGURBE project, led by the company Añarbe, S.A (AGASA), with the participation of the municipalities of Errenteria, Hernani, Lasarte-Oria, Pasaia, Oiartzun.
Sweden
Organisation: Jönköpings kommun
Country: Sweden
Title of the initiative: Cloudburst mapping with tips and advice
Category: Securing water supply and climate resilience
Explanation of the initiative:
Collection of information about stormwater and how to prevent and protect properties during torrential rain and flooding.
Organisation: City of Malmö – Department of roads and parks
Country: Sweden
Title of the initiative: Dagvattenparken (stormwater park – Malmö stad)
Category: Smart infrastructure and technological innovation
Explanation of the initiative:
The stormwater park in Hyllie consists of a 23,000 square metre lawn that invites play and socialising and a stormwater reservoir that will be able to receive a large amount of water in the event of a downpour.
Organisation: City of Malmö – Department of roads and parks
Country: Sweden
Title of the initiative: Grönare Möllan
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
Möllevången is one of the areas in Malmö with the fewest number of trees, which means that the total of 150 new trees has become a long-awaited addition to the cityscape and our common ecosystem. Trees provide protection against torrential rain35 of the street trees planted on Möllevången are in a plant bed that allows them to receive and store water.
Organisation: City of Malmö – Department of roads and parks
Country: Sweden
Title of the initiative: Mammas Park (Rosengård – Radararkitektur)
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
An important part of the design of the site is the premise that it should function as a torrential reservoir during heavy rainfall, also known as a hydrodrome.
Organisation: Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
Country: Sweden
Title of the initiative: Rain playground in Gothenburg – a playful solution to a wet challenge
Category: Equitable access to water and social inclusion
Explanation of the initiative:
It combines play with water management by involving citizens in its design. The result of the playground is not only fun and safe but also a role model for more inclusive climate adaptation. The playground is equipped with large, leaf-shaped canopies and gutters that collect and direct the rainwater in an educational manner.
The Netherlands
Organisation: Gemeente Vlissingen
Country: The Netherlands
Title of the initiative: Herinrichting Coosje Buskenstraat
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
Implementation of an innovative climate adaptation project by redesigning Coosje Buskenstraat to function as a controlled waterway during extreme weather events. This approach aims to manage the risks associated with rising sea levels and increased storm intensity without resorting to traditional methods like raising dikes, which could necessitate the demolition of existing structures. Coosje Buskenstraat, which connects the elevated boulevard to the lower-lying city center, has been restructured to channel excess seawater safely inland during severe storms. The street’s surface has been contoured to direct water towards its sides, where specially designed parking spaces with raised edges and a zigzag layout slow down the flow, mimicking a meandering river.
Organisation: Provincie Zeeland
Country: The Netherlands
Title of the initiative: Interreg NSR FIER (Floodings, Infrastructure, Evacuation, Resilience)
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
Development of routines and tools to enable governments, crisis management organisations, and citizens in the North Sea Region to better prepare to respond and recover from climate-induced floods by 2027.
Organisation: Municipality of Rotterdam
Country: The Netherlands
Title of the initiative: Rotterdams WeerWoord – Urban Water Buffer in Hart van Zuid
Category: Water reuse and circularity
Explanation of the initiative:
- Collection of rainwater from Zuidplein Shopping Centre and Gooilandsingel.
- Purification of water using natural, plant-based methods.
- Storage of purified water underground.
- Reuse of water for non-drinking purposes (e.g. toilet flushing, cleaning).
Benefits:
- It saves around 20,000 m³ of drinking water per year.
- It replenishes groundwater.
- It helps prevent urban flooding.
Organisation: Gemeente Vlissingen
Country: The Netherlands
Title of the initiative: Wadi Kershage – Vlissingen
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
One of the newest neighbourhoods in Vlissingen is Claverveld. Located on the northern side of the city, this district is characterized by its very green and spacious design. What makes Claverveld unique is that rainwater is not drained through the sewer system, but instead naturally flows across the paving into watercourses and swales.
Türkiye
Organisation: Antalya Metropolitan Municipality
Country: Türkiye
Title of the initiative: Securing water supply and climate resilience
Category: Wastewater management and sanitation
Explanation of the initiative:
It encourages the use of gray water to avoid water shortages during the summer months. It uses treated water in some areas for landscape irrigation in the city.
Organisation: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipalitu and ISKI
Country: Türkiye
Title of the initiative: Atakoy project
Category: Wastewater management and sanitation
Explanation of the initiative:
Improving various treatment plants to treat wastewater for use in industrial zones and park irrigation. For example, the Ataköy Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant plans to use the treated water for park and garden irrigation.
Organisation: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
Country: Türkiye
Title of the initiative: 4th phase of the Çiğli advanced biological wastewater treatment
Category: Wastewater management and sanitation
Explanation of the initiative:
In Izmir, some of the advanced treated water from the Çiğli Waste Water Treatment Plant is offered for industrial use.
Organisation: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
Country: Türkiye
Title of the initiative: Strengthen the infrastructure of Konak and Karabağlar
Category: Securing water supply and climate resilience
Explanation of the initiative:
Installation of in-building gray water recovery systems in some new housing projects through pilot gray water projects.
United Kingdom
Organisation: Essex County Council
Country: United Kingdom
Title of the initiative: Make rain happy scheme
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
Use of rain gardens, swale (a shallow grassy drainage channel for water to run through), tree planting, and over 1,300 plants to reduce surface water flooding. It includes a footbridge to the green space, ‘X-grid parking’, and an information board that explains its features.
Organisation: Kent County Council
Country: United Kingdom
Title of the initiative: Making Margate a cooler, greener place
Category: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Explanation of the initiative:
It reduces the risk of flooding and the impact of increasing summer temperatures. Over 30 new trees have been planted across two urban residential streets, 11 of which are planted within specialist sustainable drainage (SuDS) tree pit systems. It contributes towards reducing heat stress and surface water flood risk while also providing attractive spaces for residents, visitors and wildlife.
Organisation: York Five Year Plan
Country: United Kingdom
Title of the initiative: York five-year plan
Category: Stormwater management and flood prevention
Explanation of the initiative:
It details business cases and designs for schemes in 19 flood cells across the city have been delivered. It is an adaptive approach to flood resilience has been created, work programmes to develop increased flood storage and the incentivised delivery of natural flood risk management measures have commenced.
Western Balkans
Organisation: NALAS
Country: Western Balkans
Title of the initiative: Regional research on collaboration between the local governments and the public utility companies
Category: Governance and partnerships
Explanation of the initiative:
It examines the state of cooperation between local governments and public utility companies in six Western Balkans economies. The research involved piloting methods, desk research, conducting surveys and interviews, and compiling recommendations, from strengthening the institutional frameworks, improving operational coordination, to encourage regionalization through inter-municipal cooperation.
Organisation: Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe
Country: Western Balkans
Title of the initiative: Regional capacity development network for water and sanitation services
Category: Citizen awareness and engagement raising
Explanation of the initiative:
It connects local governments, water utilities and their associations from Western Balkans to work together on developing capacities of the water and sanitation service sector, helping to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of water and sanitation services. It has developed more than 30 programs in operation and maintenance, integrated asset management, capital infrastructure projects, non-revenue water management, wastewater management and more. It is supported by SECO and BMZ/GIZ.
Director – Policy & Impact
