PROMORIVER

Europe has been developing a common framework for the protection of European waters – the Water Framework Directive (WFD) – since the year 2000. The increasing public awareness of the environmental situation of waters (rivers and lakes, as well as groundwater and seas) plays a key role in the development of this directive, as it has induced the European Commission to consider water protection as one of the priorities of its work. “The new European Water Policy will get polluted waters clean again, and ensure clean waters are kept clean. In achieving these objectives, the roles of citizens and citizens' groups will be crucial. This is why a new European Water Policy has to get citizens more involved.” (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/info/intro_en.htm).

With reference to river basin management, the WFD sets a number of objectives to achieve good water quality. The key objectives include general protection of the aquatic ecology, specific protection of unique and valuable habitats, protection of drinking water resources, and protection of bathing water. Clearly, coordinated action of the States is fundamental for the achievement of the set objectives. Nonetheless, the role of citizens is also crucial for the enhancement/ preservation of river basins and their environments.

This is the starting point of the present proposal which aims to contribute to the success of the WFD in partners’ areas through citizen's empowerment.