#DemocracyDrinks x Blue Drinks: Local Democratic Water Management

Join us for a special crossover edition of and Blue Drinks Netherlands, where we dive into a topic that touches every one of us but rarely makes it into democracy conversations: water.

Water is fundamental to life, but decisions about who manages it, who participates in those decisions, and how competing needs are balanced are ultimately questions of governance and democracy.

As the Netherlands experiences increasingly frequent and severe periods of drought, these questions are becoming more urgent. The summer of 2026 has demonstrated that even a country internationally recognised for its expertise in water management is vulnerable to freshwater scarcity. Exceptionally low river flows, increasing pressure on groundwater, salinisation and competing demands from agriculture, nature, industry, navigation and households are forcing difficult decisions about how limited water should be retained, allocated and prioritised.

The Netherlands has developed a highly decentralised model of water governance with deep historical roots, and the Dutch Water Authorities play a central role in responding to these challenges. These institutions are responsible for issues that directly affect communities and livelihoods, including water quantity, water quality, wastewater treatment and flood protection. Importantly, they also provide a unique example of specialised democratic governance, with elected representatives making decisions about a shared public resource. Furthermore, the EU has a large effect on local democracies and people. The EU provides solutions for problems that are often not even seen yet its complexity can undermine public trust; whereas Dutch national politics is on the news every day, EU politics rarely are. Therefore, understanding the EU’s role in water management and its added value is crucial for having the full picture of democracy over water resources.

But what does democratic water management mean in practice? How can citizens, communities and local institutions meaningfully influence decisions that are often highly technical and increasingly complex? As climate pressures intensify and trade-offs become more difficult, public participation, transparency and accountability are just as important as engineering solutions. Decisions about whether to retain water for nature, agriculture or urban areas are not purely technical choices but also reflect social priorities, political values and questions of fairness.

This conversation will explore how the Dutch model of local and regional water governance responds to these challenges, with particular attention to the current drought and the role of the water authorities in balancing competing interests. It will also look beyond the Netherlands. In the EU and around the world, communities are experimenting with different forms of local participation in water governance, from community-managed water systems and irrigation associations to participatory river basin processes and other citizen-led approaches. What can these diverse experiences teach us about the conditions needed for effective, inclusive and accountable water governance?

Our speakers

Jan van der Steen (Expert) is a European Affairs Advisor at Unie van Waterschappen (the Dutch Water Authorities) and Vewin, representing the Dutch water sector in Brussels. Trained in water management at TU Delft, he now works on EU policy dossiers including water quality, PFAS, climate adaptation, and digitalisation.

Elena Masterova (Moderator) is a Trainer and Programme Manager at The Hague Academy for Local Governance, where she develops and delivers training on water management, climate resilience, and sustainability. An ecologist by training, she holds a joint MSc in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management including roles at the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Water Management Institute.

Blue Drinks Netherlands is an informal networking community that brings together people working across the Dutch and international water sector. Through accessible events, Blue Drinks creates space to socialize, network and have fun! This event continues that approach by bringing the water community into inspiring conversation with experts and practitioners working on democracy and local governance.

What are the #DemocracyDrinks?

#DemocracyDrinks is an informal, recurring conversation and networking series bringing together people working on democracy, peace, justice, and democratic participation.

The format is intentionally simple: open, dialogue-led conversations in a relaxed setting. #DemocracyDrinks The Hague provides space to connect across sectors, test ideas, explore emerging questions, and reflect collectively on democratic challenges beyond formal panels or presentations.

Launched in Brussels in 2018, #DemocracyDrinks now takes place in cities around the world. Editions in The Hague have brought together a diverse mix of practitioners from NGOs, international institutions, think tanks, government, and civil society. The Hague series is co-organised by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC), the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), and The Hague Humanity Hub (THHH).

Interested in hosting your own edition? Apply here.

Photos - disclaimer.

Please note that a photographer and/or videographer may be present during #DemocracyDrinks. Images may be used by partner organisations for communication and promotional purposes, including social media and future event promotion. By attending, you consent to this use. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting [email protected] and specifying the event. Thank you for your cooperation!

Event venue & nearby stays

The Hague Humanity Hub, 58 Fluwelen Burgwal, Den Haag, Netherlands

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

Get the app →