Cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partner countries for a sustainable management of water resources and the sharing of environmental data
The project in brief
This 3-year programme (2021-2024) builds upon the EUWI+ project (European Union Water Initiative Plus) projects, in which OiEau participated. It is a flagship action of the European Commission in the field of water resources management and environmental data in the Eastern Partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, the cooperation with Belarus has been suspended). Its objective is to enable the development of the Eastern partner countries in line with the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme’s activities are clustered around two specific objectives:
- To support a more sustainable use of water resources by reducing the negative impact of human activities on water quality and aquatic ecosystems;
- To expand and improve the collection and use of environmental data to ensure reliable information for decision-makers and citizens on the state of the environment.
OiEau’s mission
- Development of river basin management plans following the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive in 4 river basins (Dnieper in Ukraine, Northern river basin in Armenia, Enguri and Rioni river basins in Georgia).
- Support for the establishment of basin council organisations.
- Promotion of nature-based solutions in the programmes of measures of the river basin management plans.
- Strengthening water information systems (data collection and digitalization, principles of data integration, data sharing and open data).
- Development of water accounts to encourage better consideration of the economic value of water resources.
- Raising awareness on water issues in the countries and ensuring the visibility of EU environmental action in the region.