Ecologic Institute, as part of a pan-European consortium led by WRc, is supporting the European Commission in a framework contract on the evaluation, review and development of EU water policy. With activities to be supported under this framework contract, the Commission wishes to ensure that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and associated water-related directives are implemented in a coherent and effective manner across the EU and that Member States comply with their obligations. One of the principal mechanisms for encouraging effective implementation has been the informal programme of co-operation focused on tackling the technical challenges arising from implementing the WFD known as the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS).