In a written answer on 31 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto signalled that the European Commission intends to treat water scarcity on islands as a strategic priority, integrating a dedicated pillar on water security and resilience into the forthcoming European strategy for islands. Responding to a parliamentary question from Elena Kountoura (The Left), Fitto pointed to existing cohesion policy support and the proposed next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) as the main vehicles for financing sustainable water infrastructure, including desalination powered by renewables, smart leakage detection networks, and wastewater reuse systems. The answer stops short of committing to a new, dedicated financial instrument for island water management, instead framing water resilience as a cross-cutting objective within broader EU funds.
The reply comes as the Commission prepares to adopt the EU strategy for islands, which Fitto noted already recognises the water-related challenges facing islands and recommends that Member States prioritise investments in water infrastructure, water saving, reuse, and restoration of natural water retention. He highlighted that the mid-term review of cohesion policy, published in 2025, encouraged Member States to boost investment in sustainable water management, leading to a reallocation of EUR 1.6 billion to islands through cohesion programmes, of which EUR 158 million is earmarked for water-related projects. Under the proposed MFF for 2028-2034, at least 35% of the EU budget would contribute to climate and environmental objectives, including water resilience, and water is also reflected in the National and Regional Partnership Plans, which require a minimum 43% climate and environmental contribution. The European Competitiveness Fund, through its clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation window, will additionally support water resilience and the shift to a water-smart economy.
Fitto's answer is a direct response to Kountoura's call for special treatment of islands, echoing the European Parliament's position on water resilience, which had urged the removal of barriers to financial support for local and regional water investments and greater involvement of island authorities in infrastructure planning. While the Commission does not propose a new standalone fund, the answer suggests that islands will be able to draw on multiple existing and proposed instruments, provided Member States prioritise water in their partnership plans. The strategy for islands, expected later this year, will be the key test of whether the pillar on water security translates into concrete project pipelines and simplified access for island municipalities. The answer also implies a continued reliance on cohesion policy and the MFF rather than new bespoke mechanisms, a choice that may disappoint advocates seeking dedicated funding for island water resilience.
The Commission's approach balances the need for targeted support with the constraints of the next long-term budget, where water resilience competes with other priorities. For island authorities, the answer offers a clearer mandate to seek funding, but the absence of a dedicated instrument means they must navigate multiple programmes. For water utilities and technology providers, the emphasis on modern desalination and smart networks signals potential demand for innovative solutions, though the actual scale of investment will depend on Member State decisions. Environmental groups may welcome the integration of water resilience into climate objectives, but they may also question whether the 35% and 43% targets will translate into sufficient, timely funding for the most vulnerable islands.