Water as a common good and without waste: Udine is the first Blue Community in Italy.
On 20 March 2026, Udine became the first municipality in Italy to receive the international Blue Community certification : the Friulian capital thus officially joins a global network that already includes 118 cities, including Paris and Berlin , united by their commitment to considering water a common good and a universal human right to be managed sustainably. Along with Udine, the Union of Municipalities of the Madonie Mountains in Sicily also received the recognition.
The path to international recognition
The certification was presented virtually by Maude Barlow, activist and founder of the Blue Communities movement. The achievement follows a collaborative process between the city administration and various local organizations, with the national support of CeVI (International Volunteer Center).
Councilor for Environmental Sustainability, Eleonora Meloni , explained the significance of the achievement: “Receiving the international Blue Community certification is a hugely significant achievement for the Municipality of Udine. It recognizes the serious work we’ve done over the years and gives us an even greater responsibility for the future. For us, this achievement confirms a clear vision: water is a fundamental right , a common good to be protected, and a resource that must be managed with foresight .”
From schools to parks: interventions to protect water in Udine
Joining the Blue Community network involves direct local commitments to promote the consumption of tap water. Among concrete actions, the Municipality has announced the installation of a new water kiosk at the Martiri delle Foibe Park, implemented in collaboration with the Neighborhood Council and the Viale Ungheria Committee.
Special attention will be paid to schools . “The administration intends to install fresh, controlled water dispensers in the Manzoni, P. Zorutti, EF Bellavitis, G. Ellero, and A. Zardini primary schools ,” Councilor Meloni specified. The stated goal is to drastically reduce the use of plastic bottles in a country like Italy, which holds the European record for bottled water consumption.
River Contracts and Ecosystem Protection
The Municipality’s action also extends to waterway management through River Contracts, strategic tools for the valorization of water resources. Udine is already a party to the Cormor River Contract (signed with 25 municipalities and the Land Reclamation Consortium) and the Roiello di Pradamano River Contract. The procedure for the Torre River Contract is also underway .
Meloni reiterated the leadership role the city intends to assume: “Being the first Italian municipal administration to obtain this certification also means taking on the task of blazing a trail . We want Udine to be a model nationwide: a city capable of combining public water management, innovation, environmental education, and community participation.”
Digitalization of the network with CAFC
Technical support along this path is provided by CAFC, the integrated water service provider. President Salvatore Benigno emphasized the importance of technology in reducing waste : “We have already digitized approximately 3,000 kilometers of the water supply network , transforming it into a digital twin that enables predictive management , and installed over 21,000 smart meters in the Municipality of Udine to promptly identify abnormal consumption and leaks.”
Benigno also recalled the Smart Water Management FVG project , funded by the PNRR with 48 million euros at the regional level, aimed at optimizing strategic pipelines with non-invasive technologies.
A collective responsibility
The profound meaning of the Blue Community network was summarized by Marco Iob, president of CeVI: “The demand for water is increasing, and the availability of good-quality water risks diminishing due to the effects of climate change. We must assume responsibility at all levels for safeguarding water and managing it in a public and participatory manner.” According to Iob, the certification confirms the emergence of communities that actively choose to care for their water resources .
