As 2024 comes to a close, we send warm season’s greetings to our partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries across the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This year marks the culmination of the EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data programme. As we reflect on our achievements, we look forward to the upcoming successor programme under the title EU4Green Recovery East , which will carry forward and expand this important work in 2025 and beyond.
Reflecting on key achievements
Over the past years, the EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data project has successfully strengthened cooperation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, improving water resource management and enhancing environmental data collection to foster sustainable development. Through joint efforts and dedication, we have achieved notable milestones that have laid a foundation for better environmental governance and shared regional progress. Milestones include:
- Adoption of River Basin Management Plans and improved water quality monitoring networks.
- Support for legislative reforms aligning with EU standards, such as groundwater quality norms and nitrate pollution control.
- Promotion of public health monitoring, such as SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance.
- Enhanced transboundary cooperation on shared water resources, improving data sharing and joint governance.
Introducing EU4Green Recovery East
As we conclude one chapter, we open another with EU4Green Recovery East, a new regional programme launching in 2025. With an EU contribution of €21.3 million, this programme will support EaP countries in transitioning to greener, more resilient economies, incorporating circular economy principles and promoting sustainable resource use.
EU4Green Recovery East will focus on:
- circular economy promotion along the full lifecycle approaches;
- pollution reduction with a focus on water as a critical resource for the economy;
- legislative alignment with the European Green Deal, including, where relevant, with Chapter 27 of the EU acquis and facilitation of the accession process;
- integration into EU-wide environmental cooperation, and
- promotion of compliance with international commitments relevant for the Global Gateway Strategy and infrastructure modernisation.
This programme builds on the foundation laid by the EU4Environment-Water Resources and Environmental Data programme, leveraging synergies with other EU programmes (EU4Environment – Green Economy) and partnerships to accelerate development in line with the Economic and Investment Plan for Eastern Partnership countries.
Looking Forward
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data. Your dedication has been instrumental in achieving these milestones. As we embark on this new journey with EU4Green Recovery, we look forward to working together toward a greener, more sustainable future for the region.
Season’s greetings and best wishes for a prosperous and environmentally conscious 2025!
