In October 2025, the second mission under the Blue Deal Economic Mechanism project took place at Waterschap Limburg in Roermond.
This location was no coincidence. Waterschap Limburg has been closely involved with Romania’s water sector since the very beginning of the Dutch-Romanian collaboration in 2006. One of the key figures from that time, Philip Daelmans, remains actively engaged and helped design a diverse and insightful programme together with his colleagues.
Why water financing matters
Financing water management is a challenge faced not only in Romania but across many Blue Deal partnerships worldwide. Sustainable funding is essential for maintaining infrastructure, improving services, and meeting long-term water security goals. The Dutch water authorities have developed a unique tax system that ensures stable financing for water management, an approach that sparks interest from many countries looking for practical solutions.
Key themes and discussions
The workshops focused on several pressing topics, with a recurring theme being how Romanian water authorities generate income. Unlike in the Netherlands, revenue collection in Romania is not as straightforward as levying taxes on citizens. While taxes are collected, the process is far more limited and labour-intensive. The challenges, struggles, and potential solutions for improving revenue streams were discussed in depth. A highlight was the presentation by Rianne Janssen, tax specialist at Waterschap Limburg, who explained Limburg’s tax collaboration model – sparking great interest among Romanian participants.
The topic is key, as the European Commission announced a new dialogue with Romania to improve implementation of EU water legislation. Local impact – financial and social – must be delivered through credible water credit systems.
Another major focus was cost reduction. One example is the shift toward digital invoicing and electronic signatures, which can significantly improve efficiency. The Romanian delegation shared their progress in this area, and several participants presented the financial situation of their own water authorities.
Building better financial insights
The mission also addressed the development of a new Management Information System in Romania. This system aims to provide clearer insights into the finances and performance of Romanian water authorities. Progress has been promising, following guidance provided by World Bank on this front.
Looking ahead to 2026, there is plenty to build on. This mission was a success both in terms of content and relationships. Clear action points have been defined for the next mission, scheduled for June 2026 in Oradea, with an interim digital meeting planned for early 2026.