17th European Youth Parliament for Water: Uniting Across Borders for Sustainable River Basin Governance

The 17th European Youth Parliament for Water will take place in Strasbourg (France) from 20 to 26 September 2026, focusing on the theme “Uniting across borders, sectors and generations for sustainable river basin governance”.

Launched in 1998 on the initiative of Solidarity Water Europe, the first European Youth Parliament for Water (EYPW) was held in Espalion (France). Over the course of sixteen editions, the EYPW has become a unique platform empowering young Europeans to engage in water governance, strengthen democratic participation, and build a shared vision for the sustainable management of water resources.

16th EYPW’s activities

“The honour of being chosen to lead the EYPW, alongside my colleagues within the Board, has truly allowed me to gain experience and knowledge, incomparable to any prior roles I fulfilled. My engagement by representing the EYPW has widened my understanding of the water crisis and all the mechanisms that youth and civil society are promoting and putting into place to combat it. From water in conflict to its degradation within the AI industry, water is an unerasable part of life. The EYPW has only strengthened my will to continue doing my part to protect it.”

– Magdalena Zivanovic, President of the 16th European Youth Parliament for Water

A Strong Local Partnership Rooted in Cross-Border Cooperation

The 17th edition is proudly hosted in partnership with the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace (CeA), a leading actor in territorial and cross-border cooperation. Situated at the heart of the Upper Rhine region, where France, Germany and Switzerland meet, Alsace provides an exceptional setting to explore the challenges and opportunities of shared river basin governance.

Through its long-standing commitment to European cooperation and sustainable territorial development, the CeA plays a central role in connecting institutions, local authorities, civil society organizations and citizens across borders. Its engagement ensures that the Parliament will be deeply anchored in the realities of transboundary water management and regional cooperation.

The event is also made possible through the valuable support of a coalition of committed partners, including the French Water Agencies, particularly the Artois-Picardie Water Agency, EDF Hydro, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Their support reflects a shared conviction that youth participation is essential to building resilient and inclusive water governance systems for the future.

Empowering the Next Generation of Water Leaders

The European Youth Parliament for Water seeks to strengthen the role of young people in addressing water challenges by enhancing their understanding of water governance, democratic processes, and active citizenship.

This 17th edition will bring together youth representatives from major transboundary river basins across Europe to explore how cooperation across borders, sectors and generations can contribute to more sustainable water management.

Key figures
  • 9 delegations representing transboundary European river basins
  • 65 youth participants
  • More than 20 countries represented

A Unique Opportunity for Dialogue and Action

As part of the programme, participants will engage with decision-makers, experts and stakeholders involved in water governance at local, national and international levels.

A highlight of the week will be their participation in the 4th Rhine Water Conference (Assises rhénanes de l’eau), organized by the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace. Youth delegates will present their perspectives and recommendations for shared water management and exchange directly with institutional actors involved in cross-border cooperation, helping to bridge the gap between youth engagement and public decision-making.

Objectives of the week

By combining local, cross-border and European perspectives, the EYPW supports young people in developing a collective vision for the future of water governance, grounded in shared values, solidarity and cooperation.

The Parliament aims to:

  • Strengthen youth understanding of river basin governance and transboundary cooperation;
  • Foster active citizenship and democratic participation;
  • Encourage dialogue between generations and sectors;
  • Promote youth-led initiatives and advocacy for sustainable water management;
  • Develop concrete recommendations and collaborative projects for river basin resilience.

Programme highlights

  • Immersion in the heart of the institutions: Debates, workshops and exchanges hosted in emblematic venues, including the European Parliament and the Palais du Rhin in Strasbourg.
  • Cross-border field visits: Visits to water-related infrastructures and governance initiatives in France, Germany and Switzerland, offering first-hand insights into transboundary cooperation.
  • Experience sharing and mentorship: Meet former parliamentarians and youth leaders from major European river basins, including the Danube, Sava and Scheldt, and learn from their experiences.
  • Advocacy and political dialogue: articipate in negotiation simulations, co-develop commitments and project ideas, and present recommendations directly to elected officials and institutional representatives.
  • Democracy and Intercultural Exchange: Live the democratic process through the election of the new EYPW Board, while building lasting connections with peers from across Europe.
See you in Strasbourg

The 17th European Youth Parliament for Water will be a unique opportunity for young Europeans to come together, learn from one another, and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable river basin governance.

Our sincere thanks go to the Collectivité européenne d’Alsace for hosting this edition and to all our partners—the Artois-Picardie Water Agency, EDF Hydro and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation—for their commitment to empowering the next generation of water leaders.