EWM Annual Event 2025 - Girona, Spain

 

The European Water Movement meets in Girona to defend public management and the human right to water

From December 5 - 7, 2025, we will gather in Girona for the annual meeting of the European Water Movement (EWM).

We are an open, participatory, and diverse network that promotes water as part of the common heritage of humanity and as a fundamental human right essential for all living beings.

Over three days, activists, researchers, and representatives from public entities and social movements across Europe will discuss current challenges in water management, the advance of privatization, and the need to build public, democratic, and transparent models of water governance.

Not able to join in person ?

You can follow sessions online:

  • Friday 5 December from 9am to 1pm
  • Saturday 6 December from 11:30am to 1 pm

Join us on Zoom here https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85943306082 

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Report of the People’s Commission on The Water Sector

7 July 2025

In October 2024 the UK government launched an independent commission (Cunliffe commission) on the English and Welsh water systems. While we welcome such an initiative, the remit of the government’s commission is restricted in two main ways:

  • The scope is limited to improving regulation of the current system rather than considering alternative models of water provision, or providing solutions to ensure we have a robust sustainable and resilient water system.

  • Participation in the government’s commission is limited to stakeholders within the sector with little scope for involvement from the public who use water services and whose bills finance the entire water sector.

This has been reinforced by the independent commission’s interim report which fails to address the public’s concerns about pollution, profiteering, and the failure of the current water sector. The Cunliffe interim report suggests more security for privatised water companies, and more bureaucracy, but is not currently offering the radical solution and shake-up needed.

The People’s Commission, led by four academics from UK universities, aims to broaden the scope of the government commission, with public meetings in local venues across England. We have taken evidence from sector experts and water users, and draw on international experience to devise policy options for a sustainable, equitable and effective water system.

The People’s Commission published its report on the 7th July 2025. It is available here