Scalar re-organisation of water and agricultural governance in Spain, Portugal and Germany

Background: This work aims to update recent understandings on the scalar reorganisation of water and agricultural governance in Spain, Germany and Portugal (Thiel 2014). As a result of the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), but also for the recent CAP reform, in many European countries water and agricultural governance was re-organized. Aims were among other to come closer to implementers, better integrate water management, to better communicate across levels, to improve participation, etc. On the side of stakeholders and interest groups the interest was also to improve representation in negotiations about water and agricultural governance. Currently, EU Member States are undergoing the second cycle of water management planning. Also, the recent CAP reform sets out new requirements in this regard. This provides a good moment to evaluate the status of water governance and agricultural governance reconfiguration in the EU.

Aims of research: To assess recent changes in water and agricultural governance in Spain, Germany and Portugal as regards the role of different levels of decision-making and actors involved. How have administrations been reorganized why, how does this work and whose interests are represented therefore why? Further, to evaluate the effect of participatory practices in agricultural and water governance and to assess the state of implementation of the European water framework directive and the Common Agricultural Policy, also with particular reference to the linkage between water management and agricultural activities.