Greek MEP Galato Alexandraki (ECR) has asked the European Commission whether it plans to create a dedicated EU funding instrument for small-scale irrigation, water storage, reuse and smart irrigation systems in arid and island areas. The question, tabled on 22 April 2026, targets the gap between EU water efficiency goals and the practical needs of small and family farms in water-stressed regions such as the Greek islands.
Alexandraki's written question references the European Water Resilience Strategy's aim to improve water efficiency by 10% by 2030, but notes that over 70% of Greece's agricultural land faces aridity and insularity, and over 70% of farms are smaller than five hectares. The European Environment Agency has recorded Greece among Member States facing water stress, particularly in spring and summer.
Concrete asks and policy direction
The MEP makes three concrete requests: first, a specific European instrument or targeted funding stream for small-scale irrigation, water storage, reuse and smart irrigation in arid and island areas; second, faster and simplified approval and funding procedures for small and family farms that cannot access large-scale projects; third, specific prioritisation within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), cohesion policy and the Water Resilience Strategy for areas under permanent or seasonal water stress, such as the Greek islands.
The question implies that current EU instruments are too large-scale or bureaucratic for the majority of Greek farms. Alexandraki frames the issue as one of equity and effectiveness: without tailored support, smallholders in arid zones cannot contribute to the EU's water efficiency targets. The reference to Directive 2000/60/EC (the Water Framework Directive) anchors the request in existing legal obligations.
Expected follow-up
The Commission must reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it is open to creating new funding streams or adapting existing ones, and whether it considers the CAP and cohesion policy sufficient to address the specific needs of small farms in water-stressed areas. The reply may also clarify how the Water Resilience Strategy will be implemented at farm level.