Youth Voices for a Water-Resilient Future: Reflections from EXPOAPA2025
Youth Voices for a Water-Resilient Future: Reflections from EXPOAPA2025
By Megi Marku
From June 23-25, 2025, I had the privilege of joining hundreds of experts, innovators, and decision-makers in Bucharest for EXPOAPA2025 and the Regional Water Forum “Danube – Eastern Europe.” Hosted at Romexpo, this gathering brought together over 100 exhibitors, national authorities, international organizations, and water sector professionals united by one mission: shaping a sustainable and resilient water future.
This wasn’t just another conference. It was a call to action and a powerful reminder that the future of water in Europe depends on inclusive, cross-generational collaboration.
Setting the Stage: Opening Day Insights
The event opened with remarks from Ilie Vlaicu, President of the Romanian Water Association, and a compelling keynote by Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. Her message emphasized the EU’s support for innovation and sustainability within the sector.
A standout moment on Day 1 was the #Skills4Water session, which spotlighted the urgent need for education and capacity development in a sector undergoing green and digital transformation. Another key feature was the International Technical-Scientific Conference, where experts shared adaptive strategies to manage the impacts of climate change on water systems- a topic that deeply resonated with all participants, myself included.
Youth Perspectives at the Roundtable on Water Resilience
Day 2 marked a personal milestone: I participated in the high-level Roundtable on “Water Resilience in Eastern Europe”, chaired by European Commissioner Jessika Roswall. I joined an esteemed group of representatives from the European Water Association, IAWD, national water associations, academia, and private sector leaders.
The discussions revolved around the newly launched European Water Resilience Strategy (EWRS), a much-needed blueprint for restoring water cycles, ensuring access to clean water, preparing for disruptions, and building a water-smart economy.
As a youth delegate and co-author of the Youth Position Paper on EWRS, I had the honour of presenting youth perspectives on the Strategy. Our paper, developed in collaboration with young experts from EYWP and WYPW, was acknowledged by the European Commission during the consultation phase- an encouraging sign of institutional openness.
In my intervention, I strongly welcomed two new initiatives under the EWRS:
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The European Water Academy (EWA), and
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The upcoming Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) in Water.
However, I also made the case that these platforms must go beyond informing youth- they must actively engage young people in the planning, co-design, and implementation of solutions.
Financing Water Resilience: Investing in Youth Innovation
One critical aspect of water resilience is financing, and I was encouraged by the Strategy’s inclusion of the Water Resilience Investment Accelerator. Still, I urged decision-makers to create dedicated pathways for youth-led projects- a youth funding track that could help turn great ideas into scalable impact.
I also proposed three mechanisms to embed youth structurally within the governance of the EWRS:
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A Youth Water Advisory Board
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Reserved youth seats in governing structures like the Water Resilience Forum
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Regular youth consultations at EU and Member State levels, especially during key milestones like the 2027 mid-term review.
These steps would help ensure that youth are not just invited to the table—but have a real voice and role in shaping the future.
Final Day: Financing the Future of Water
The forum concluded with the International Workshop on “Water Sector Financing”, where experts from across Europe- Romania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Cyprus- shared lessons on investment readiness, integrated funding strategies, and long-term sustainability of the sector.
Looking Ahead
My time at EXPOAPA2025 reinforced a belief I hold dearly: young people are not just beneficiaries of future water systems, we are co-creators of them. The EWRS represents a turning point for Europe, and I’m proud that youth voices are helping shape its direction.
As we move from strategy to action, let’s ensure that the vision we build is inclusive, innovative, future-proof, and that youth remain at the heart of this transformation.
