From water resilience to ocean restoration, a growing number of EU initiatives are shaping the future of our waters. For cities, regions, islands and ports, the challenge is to understand what these developments mean locally and how to turn policy objectives into action. This was one of the questions discussed at the first CO-WATERS Policy and Governance in Action Working Group meeting, held online on 22 October 2026.
The meeting brought Coalition members together with contributions from the European Commission and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) to explore the next phase of the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 and examine the policy developments that matter for their territories.
The Mission enters its deployment phase
The European Commission presented progress made during the Mission’s first phase (2021–2025) and outlined priorities for the 2026–2030 deployment phase.
So far, the Mission has developed a portfolio of 121 restoration solutions tested across 349 demonstration sites. The core infrastructure of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean has also been developed, with the system expected to be fully operational by 2030. More than 1,200 actions have been pledged under the Mission Charter.
The focus is now shifting towards putting proven solutions into wider use, replicating them across sea and river basins, strengthening governance and political support, mobilising investment and completing the Mission’s monitoring system.
One point came through clearly during the presentation: public funding alone will not be enough. Scaling up solutions also means attracting other forms of investment, involving the right stakeholders and making sure that communities, public authorities and businesses can adopt solutions in practice.
For local and regional authorities, this means not only contributing to the Mission’s objectives but also helping create the conditions for successful solutions to be taken up and replicated. Stronger cooperation, access to expertise and the ability to mobilise different sources of funding will all matter in this deployment phase.
A changing EU policy landscape
The meeting also looked at key EU initiatives shaping ocean and water policy, including the European Ocean Pact and forthcoming Ocean Act, the Water Resilience Strategy, the upcoming Ocean and Water Research and Innovation Strategy, and the EU Strategy for Coastal Communities. Together, they address issues ranging from ocean health and water security to research, coastal resilience and the specific challenges faced by island territories.
For local and regional authorities, the challenge is to understand how these policies relate to one another and what they mean in practice. Water scarcity, pollution and pressure on coastal ecosystems cannot be tackled in isolation. They require coordination between freshwater, coastal and marine management, as well as cooperation between different levels of government and local stakeholders.
The discussion highlighted the need to bridge the gap between EU-level objectives and action on the ground. Sharing experience, identifying governance gaps and improving cooperation across territories can help local and regional actors find approaches that work for their specific needs.
How CO-WATERS Working Groups can help
CO-WATERS supports a Coalition of cities, regions, islands, ports and their local partners and stakeholders working towards clean, healthy and resilient water systems. Its services include peer learning, training and tailored support, stakeholder engagement, funding guidance and support for the Label in support of the Mission Ocean and Waters.
The five CO-WATERS Working Groups give Coalition members a space to share experiences, discuss common challenges and learn from others facing similar issues. Each focuses on a different aspect of the blue transition:
- Policy and Governance in Action – EU policies and governance.
- Capacity Building for Change: skills and more integrated approaches.
- Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement: involving local communities and stakeholders.
- Mobilising Finance for Impact: funding and financing opportunities.
- Credibility and Recognition: visibility and recognition for territories contributing to the Mission.
At the first Policy and Governance in Action meeting, participants welcomed the overview of EU policy developments and highlighted the need for practical guidance on how CO-WATERS can support their work. Their input will help shape future discussions.
Join the Coalition
Already a Coalition member? Take part in the Working Groups to share your experience, raise the challenges you face and help identify the topics that would be most useful to your territory.
Not yet a member? The CO-WATERS services are available to members of the Coalition of cities, regions, islands and ports for the Mission Ocean and Waters. If you are interested in peer learning, training, stakeholder engagement or support with funding and the Label in support of the MOW, find out more and join the Coalition.
