European FRIEND (EURO-FRIEND) is one of the eight regional groups of the FRIEND programme.
FRIEND (Flow Regimes from International Experimental and Network Data) is an international research programme within the framework of IHP. In the current phase VII of IHP (2008-2013) FRIEND, as a so-called cross-cutting programme, plays an important role. Its objective is to study the spatial and temporal variability of hydrological regimes on a European scale and in other regions outside Europe. Originally initiated in Northern Europe, FRIEND has developed into a worldwide network of similarly structured projects. Today about 140 countries in different parts of the world participate in this programme.
The FRIEND website (UNESCO-International Hydrological Programme) provides more information on the background of the research programme and the other seven regional groups (sub-networks).