Salinisation

What we do to address salt intrusion

Salinisation poses an increasing challenge in all delta regions where Partners for Water is active. Rising sea levels combined with land subsidence are accelerating saltwater intrusion into soils and freshwater systems. This global issue threatens food production, freshwater availability, and ecosystem resilience and is intensifying due to climate change.

The Partners for Water programme promotes integrated and systemic approaches to address salinisation by linking water management with agriculture, biodiversity, and socio-economic dimensions. We aim to develop, test, share and scale up knowledge and projects in collaboration with the Dutch water sector and local partners internationally.

To address salinisation challenges, Partners for Water facilitates collaborations between various knowledge partners, advises local partners and supports knowledge exchange. We fund feasibility studies, pilot projects, and innovative approaches that demonstrate inclusive, sustainable, and scalable solutions to address the salinisation of soils, groundwater and surface water.

Knowledge developed with the support of the Partners for Water programme is disseminated at international and regional levels and shared via our website, webinars, and events. We also assist in identifying potential financiers or relevant programmes to scale successful approaches, leveraging our network to help bridge the gap between pilot projects and larger investment opportunities.

How we work

Partners for Water prioritises the following initiatives and processes to work on salinity challenges and enhance water security abroad:

• Exploring interventions: We collaborate with the public and private water sectors and local governments abroad to explore and facilitate sustainable interventions to combat salinity, provide advice and/or financing, and use our extensive network, according to each project’s needs.
• Subsidies: We grant subsidies to knowledge institutions, companies, and NGOs to conduct feasibility studies or pilot projects that aim to enhance water security abroad by addressing salinity challenges.
• Co-creation: Our commitment to co-creation with local stakeholders and private and public parties ensures that our initiatives are tailored to match the local conditions and needs.
• Networking: With a comprehensive network spanning the globe, we are dedicated to helping knowledge institutions, businesses, NGOs, and public parties to find the right connections to stimulate work that tackles salt intrusion.
• Knowledge sharing: We monitor and disseminate insights and lessons learned from our salt intrusion initiatives across the Partners for Water community, our international partners, and stakeholders.
• Events: We regularly organise events designed to promote networking and the exchange of knowledge across the global water sector. Check out our upcoming events.
• Waterproof Podcast: We have developed a six-part podcast that travels around the globe, sharing inspiring stories about how today’s water crises are being addressed through clever ideas, local knowledge, and international partnerships. Episode two, The Salty Intruder, focuses on salinity. Listen to this inspiring episode here.

Working on salinity challenges? Let’s Connect.

We are constantly seeking potential partners that are exploring inclusive and sustainable solutions to address salt intrusion. If this is you, we encourage you to reach out to us to discuss whether there is a way we can support your efforts.

Other ways to get involved:

• Join our events and become an active participant in our event workshops and deep dives.
• Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our tenders, activities, events, and projects.
• Get in touch with our Project Advisor for salinisation, Gabor Szántó.