The third edition of the Confluence of European Water Bodies will take place in the Netherlands, from 21 – 24 September 2025.
Born out of growing water challenges and demands for water democracy worldwide, the Confluence of European Water Bodies sprang from a collective pursuit of a deeper understanding of the ‘Rights of ‘Nature’ in Europe. As a learning system for water diplomacy, new strategies for effectively representing water in Europe’s cultural, legal and political realms are being explored, rehearsed and advocated.
Our growing community of now over 25 seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers and lagoons, converged for the first time in September 2023 at the shores of the saltwater lagoon the Mar Menor in Spain. Being the first European ecosystem with legal personhood, this severely contaminated ecosystem became an example and inspiration for nature protection in Europe. The Confluence 2024 took place at the shores of the Venice Lagoon.
Have a look here for the 2023 edition.
Have a look here for the 2024 edition.
Participation water bodies: Akerselva, Baltic Sea, Doggerbank, Drina, Genova waters, Klarälven, Loire, Mar Menor, Mediterranean, North Sea, Ouse, Pek, Piave, Reuss, Rhône, Rhine, Snæfellsjökul, Spree, Tara, Tejo, Vättern, Venice lagoon, Viskan, Vistula, Wattenmeer and Zenne.