EU Funding Tools and Greek CAP Strategic Plan Support for Water Resilience

Strategic Insights -

The European Union (EU) has established various funding tools and strategies to support member states in enhancing water resilience, particularly in the context of water stress, climate change, and wastewater reuse. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027 in Greece includes support for measures that improve water resilience, such as promoting drought-resilient species, efficient irrigation, and nature-based solutions. Furthermore, the Greek Bulgarian bilateral agreement for the Arda river was renewed for a period of five years, while TÈ­rkiye has shown willingness to participate in trilateral transboundary water governance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) has led to the development of various guidance documents for the management of water stress, climate change, and wastewater reuse.
  • The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027 in Greece includes measures to improve water resilience, such as promoting drought-resilient species, efficient irrigation, and nature-based solutions.
  • The Greek Bulgarian bilateral agreement for the Arda river was renewed for a period of five years, showcasing the ongoing cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria in managing shared water resources.
  • TÈ­rkiye would be willing to participate in trilateral transboundary water governance, indicating a willingness to collaborate with EU member states in managing shared water resources.
  • The EU's Water Framework Directive aims to ensure that member states take concerted efforts to address water stress and climate change.
  • The Commission will launch a structural dialogue with Greece about its implementation of the Water Framework Directive once the third River Basin Management Plans are published by the end of 2025.

Statistics:

  • The CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 in Greece includes support for actions that improve water resilience, such as switching to drought-resilient species and efficient irrigation.
  • The Greek Bulgarian bilateral agreement has been renewed for a period of five years, lasting from May 2, 2025, to May 2, 2030.
  • The Commission will publish the assessment of the third River Basin Management Plans by the end of 2025.
  • The assessment of the River Basin Management Plans will be published by 2025, after which the Commission will launch a structural dialogue with Greece about its implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

Sources:

  • European Commission: Environment. Retrieved from https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/water/water-framework-directive_en
  • European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy_en
  • Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1-73, as amended by Commission Directive 2014/101/EU of 30 October 2014, OJ L 311, 31.10.2014, p. 32-35. Last updated: 29 October 2025.