1. European Network of Environmental Authorities: Making Structural & Cohesion Funds Water Positive Working Group
Dr Martin Griffiths
Environment Agency for England and Wales
European Water Directors Meeting, London
28-29 November 2005.

2. Background European Network of Environmental Authorities - ENEA:
Network of Environmental Authority representatives concerned with the integration of the environment in cohesion policy and structural funds.
Water Policy Financing Working Group objectives:
Develop common understanding between structural funds and water policy practitioners.
Produce practical guidance primarily targeted at the regional development community.
ENEA - Network chaired by DG Environment. This is one of 5 working groups.
The working group consists of experts from both structural funds and water fields from the UK, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Germany and the NGO sector (WWF).
The group was set up and chaired by Sophie Purdey, Environment Agency for England and Wales. The chair role has for the final stage of production passed to DG Environment (Guenter Raad) who will be responsible for finalising and disseminating the document.
Objective of the working group:
The objective of the Working Group is to develop guidance and promote good practice on how the Structural and Cohesion Funds can help deliver the Water Framework Directive, Flood Risk Management and other water policy related activities.
Aims:
Communicate the importance of water to a regional development audience
Highlight the synergies between water and regional policy
Outline funding opportunities and win-win situations.

3. The Handbook Part One: Policy Context and Rationale Part Two:
Proofing and accessing funds
Part Three:
Examples
Rationale for producing a handbook:
It is a realistic output taking the resources available to the group into account.
It is an action oriented document
It provides inspiration (the case for) along with practical guidance to encourage further action. In short it is about delivery of change rather than being reflective.
This handbook aims to assist with the integration of water issues into regional development programmes. It provides readers with the relevant information and tools with which finance can be obtained to realise opportunities relating to water, set out within Cohesion policy, for the period 2007 to 2013.
The intended audience of this handbook are:
Those who are responsible for designing the strategy and programmes of the new generation of Cohesion and Structural funds, in particular at the regional and municipal levels.
Those in charge of implementing the Water Framework Directive and other water industry professionals
It does assume some prior knowledge of the subject areas in question (less so on water). It is intended to generate an interest in the subject rather than to providing a detailed analysis.
The handbook is structured the following way:
Part 1. Makes the case for water policy by setting out Why investment in water policy related interventions support the aims of cohesion policy.
Part 2. Provides an overview of how funds might be obtained as well as proofed.
Part 3. Sets out examples of what relevant types of interventions, actions and investments might be supported and their benefits.

4. The Handbook Examples include Integrated Water Management
Water Quality
Water Supply Services
Risk Management
Wetland restoration

5. Timetable for production and dissemination
November & December - final edit and preparation for dissemination
December published on EC website
February - ENEA launch event
Following approval the handbook will be disseminated to national administrations via the ENEA group.
Within memberstates, the document will be disseminated as appropriate. For example, within the English regions, the Environment Agency will provide the key regional stakeholders with copies of the handbook along with additional information.
The ENEA group are planning a launch event in February 2006 for the outputs of its working groups. This will take place in either Rome or Brussels.

6. Overall Aim
To produce a handbook targeted at national and local practitioners
Outlining basic principles and providing common understanding
A tool to create opportunities for the use of structural and cohesion funds to support water policy
Clearly drafted and easy to use

7. Water Directors are invited to:
1. Take note of this handbook
2. Use it as a tool to create opportunities for the use of structural and cohesion funds to support water policy for
Please note that feedback should be given to Guenter Raad (see contacts).

8. Contact for further information
G. Crosnier (EC)
G. Raad (EC & ENEA) guenter.raad.cec.eu.int