2024 was the hottest year on record. The same year, the UN reported that over 800,000 people were displaced by extreme weather. Europe is warming twice as fast as any other continent – and the consequences are deadly. The human, financial, and environmental cost of inaction is escalating. So must our ambition. That is why we have created AGWA Europe.

To match the expanding scope of climate challenges and meet the increasing demand for AGWA’s expertise, we are redoubling our efforts to grow AGWA: expanding our footprint and impact; bringing AGWA’s global voice to Europe by establishing AGWA Europe.

AGWA Europe will focus on catalyzing a water-centric approach to technical and policy engagement across the region. By integrating water management directly into climate decision-making, we ensure that resilience is a fundamental component of infrastructure planning and policy, rather than an afterthought.

Europe’s policy environment, including the European Commission’s Water Resilience Strategy, provides a foundation for action. AGWA Europe builds on this momentum by bridging the gap between high-level policy and on-the-ground implementation. We want to partner with universities, river basin authorities, government bodies, and utility operators to translate strategic frameworks into measurable outcomes in water management.

The US-based Alliance for Global Water Adaptation has built an extensive network of almost 3000 members around the world, the establishment of AGWA Europe is the first of several steps towards making that global work, local. Our goal is to ensure that regional experience contributes to global resilience.


AGWA Europe’s Executive Director will be Ingrid Timboe, with Danielle Gaillard-Picher joining her as Deputy Executive Director.

AGWA Europe Board Members (L-R): Martin Shouler, Josefina Maestu, John Matthews at World Water Week 2026

Meet the Board

Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe

Jennifer J. Sara, former Director of the Water and Climate Change programs, World Bank Group

John Matthews, Executive Director, AGWA

Josefina Maestu, Honorary Lecturer University of Alcalá and member of several advisory boards

Martin Shouler, London Water Leader, Arup


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