Editorial – Looking Ahead to the Final Stages of the Water JPI

As the Water Joint Programming Initiative (Water JPI) approaches its last operational activities, I am delighted to announce the Final Conference of the initiative, which will take place on October 23–24 at the University of Málaga, Spain.

Supported by the European Commission and currently bringing together funding agencies from 16 countries, Water JPI has, over the past years, embodied a truly collaborative effort to advance sustainable water management through research and innovation. By aligning national priorities and pooling resources, the initiative has facilitated transnational cooperation, co-funded strategic projects, and promoted the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge to tackle Europe’s and the world’s most pressing water challenges.

This final conference is more than a celebration of achievements—it is a moment of reflection and renewed ambition. It will offer a space to showcase the main outcomes of the initiative, to engage in dialogue on future water-related policy priorities, and to strengthen connections between science, innovation, and policy-making at both local and regional levels.

The Water JPI Final Conference will be held back-to-back with the Final Conference of the BiodivRestore project, creating a unique opportunity to explore synergies between the water and biodiversity research communities. This joint momentum reflects our shared commitment to integrated, cross-sectoral approaches to sustainability challenges.

As we prepare for this concluding event, we also take a moment to look back at key activities carried out during the first semester of 2025. Notably, we celebrated the official launch of the SD-WISHEES Thematic Annual Programming (TAP), a significant milestone that brings together projects from France, Greece, Malta, Moldova, and Romania to collaboratively address hydroclimatic extreme events and their impacts on cultural heritage. In parallel, we have initiated an impact assessment of Water JPI funded projects, a crucial effort to evaluate the outcomes of our joint investments. This work will continue within the broader framework of the Water4All Partnership, ensuring that the legacy and learning of Water JPI continue to inform future European research and innovation agendas.

We will be particularly honored to count on the University of Málaga as host of this important event. We look forward to welcoming the Water JPI community and all key stakeholders in Málaga, as we reflect on the path travelled and look forward to future collaborative efforts toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water management.