EU, European Partners Launch €348 Million Water Support Program for Morocco

Rabat – The European Union (EU), together with Germany, Italy, and France, launched a new €348 million (MAD 3.7 billion) program on Tuesday to support Morocco’s National Water Plan. 

The program follows a “Team Europe” approach, combining EU grants with concessional loans from three European development institutions. It aims to help Morocco respond to growing pressure on its water resources due to climate change and repeated droughts. 

The funding package includes about €48 million (MAD 514.4 million) in EU grants. It is complemented by roughly €300 million (MAD 3.25 billion) in loans provided through the JEFIC framework by three institutions, including Germany’s development bank KfW, Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The program supports Morocco’s National Water Plan, which focuses on improving water management, strengthening resilience to extreme weather, protecting groundwater, and building stronger public institutions in the water sector. It also includes technical assistance to share expertise between European and Moroccan partners.

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The initiative comes at a critical time. Morocco has faced several years of drought between 2017 and 2025, along with rising demand for water. These pressures have pushed the country to speed up reforms in water planning and infrastructure.

Speaking at the launch, Equipment and Water Minister Nizar Baraka said that water is a national priority and a resource that must be protected for future generations. He noted that Morocco has already begun transforming its water management model to improve resilience against climate shocks.

EU Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev said the program reflects strong cooperation between the EU and Morocco, especially under the Green Partnership and wider Mediterranean cooperation frameworks. He said the goal is to deliver practical solutions that directly benefit citizens.

Ambassadors from Germany, Italy, and France also highlighted their countries’ roles in the partnership. Germany emphasized climate adaptation and groundwater protection while Italy pointed to its experience in water management under its broader Africa strategy. France underlined its focus on climate resilience and gender equality in development projects.

The initiative is part of wider cooperation between Morocco and the EU to address shared environmental challenges and promote sustainable development across the Mediterranean region.