Ecologic supported the preparation of the Lille IV conference "Europe of Water - Water of the Europeans" to take place on 5-6 February 2004. The conference formed part of a series of events on the economic aspects of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The conference aimed to:

• Present the first results of the economic analysis developed as part of the WFD 2004 requirements
• Investigate the possible role of stakeholders and of the public in developing this economic analysis
• Discuss potential approaches for an effective preparation of the "after 2004" implementation of the economic analysis

The conference addressed the following participant groups:

• Decision makers and key stakeholders of the water community involved in the implementation of the WFD at the local, regional, river basin and national decision making levels
• Water experts and economists involved in implementing the economic elements of the WFD