The Rhine region is one of the most populated and industrialised area of Europe. The industrial and agricultural activities have an impact on the ecosystems and contribute to water pollution.

In October 2000, the European Union adopted the Water Framework Directive. The article 14, "Public participation and consultation", encourages active participation of the European population concerned by water management (users etc.).

From 2001 to 2008, Solidarity Water Europe coordinated the RhineNet project "for a participative management of the Rhine". The objectives were to develop new initiatives on water participation in accordance with the Water Framework Directive.

Objectives

• Public events (Big Jump etc.)
• Trainings on public participation and water management
• Workshops on the renaturalisation of the Rhine
• A pedagogical path on the Alb in Germany
• The European Youth Parliament for Water in Bonn, Germany
• A Charter in the Syr river
• Consultation sessions in the Neckar basin
• An action plan against floods in the Moselle Saar.

Results after 6 years

• Concrete experiences at different levels of citizenship participation (information, cooperation etc.)
• A crossborder partnership along the Rhine between different actors of water management

Documents to download

A guide to public participation: a RhineNet project report