On Monday 7 July, Partners for Water hosted the India Water Platform Meeting in The Hague. The well-attended session brought together professionals from across the Dutch water sector to discuss the latest developments in Dutch-Indian water cooperation and to explore upcoming opportunities for collaboration.

Key highlights

The meeting was opened by H.E. Mrs Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India. She shared valuable insights into the evolving partnership between the Netherlands and India, with a focus on the Strategic Partnership on Water. Two major new initiatives were announced:

• The upcoming launch of the International Centre of Excellence on Water, in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD). This initiative will open new doors for Dutch and Indian water organisations alike.
• Dutch involvement in the Coalition for Disaster and Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), including the development of a capacity-building programme on urban water resilience, that will become publicly accessible later this year.

Two ongoing initiatives were also presented, offering practical insights into current bilateral cooperation efforts. Mr. Jasper Leuven of the Dutch engineering consulting firm Haskoning explained about improving flood resilience in the Sundarbans.

Ms. Esmee van de Ridder (RVO – Netherlands Enterprise Agency) and Mr. Hans Gehrels (Deltares) gave a presentation about the Water as Leverage initiative for Resilient Cities in India. And last but not least, Mr. Leon Weisscher explained about Invest International and its work in India.

Upcoming activities

Participants were informed about several opportunities to stay engaged:

• A Dutch sector visit to IFAT India trade fair, taking place in Mumbai from 14–16 October 2025.
  If you are interested to visit IFAT, please contact Ms. Mirjam van Buchem for more information and registration.
• A delegation programme around the opening of the Centre of Excellence on Water, in New Delhi, planned for 17 October 2025 (date to be confirmed), aimed especially at water technology companies.
  Water technology companies can contact Mr. Steven van Rossum directly in order to express an interest and participate in a visit during the planned opening of the Centre of Excellence.

Download the presentations

The presentations shared during the meeting are now available for download:
📥 Download the presentations

Want to stay involved?

Partners for Water regularly organises platform meetings and matchmaking opportunities focused on priority countries and themes. Interested in joining future events or connecting with the India water platform? Visit our events page.

Furthermore, the Delta team in India is working on developing the Centre Of Excellence on Water. More information about this can be obtained from Mr. Sander Carpaij (Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management), Ms. Fernanda van der Velde (RVO – Netherlands Enterprise Agency), and Ms. Nishi Pant (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Partners for Water will share its knowledge and experiences in sustainable water management at the 7th International Symposium on Knowledge and Capacity for the Water Sector, taking place from 2 to 4 July 2025 at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Our team will contribute to two key sessions, focusing on breaking the build–neglect–repair (BNR) cycle and implementing landscape-based solutions for long-term water security. 

The water sector is undergoing rapid and complex changes, driven by climate change, digitalisation, and socio-political dynamics. Addressing these developments requires interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative thinking, and new skillsets. Strengthening the capacities of current and future professionals is essential in order to ensure sustainable and resilient water systems worldwide.

The symposium explores how such changes influence the way we build and share knowledge, and how knowledge and capacity strengthening efforts can be better aligned with these emerging developments. It brings together an international community of practitioners, researchers and policymakers to foster collaboration and exchange. Core themes include identifying knowledge gaps, analysing capacity development trends, exploring sustainable water solutions, and shaping a forward-looking agenda for the sector.

Partners for Water’s Programme Coordinator, Liliane Geerling, will moderate Session 1, together with Ilyas Masih, Associate Professor of Water Resources Planning at IHE: ‘Assessing and bridging the knowledge and capacity gap’, held on 2 July. In addition to this session, Partners for Water will present two thematic contributions that reflect our integrated approach to sustainable watermanagement, namely a session on breaking the BNR cycle and adopting landscape-based solutions.

Breaking the build-neglect-repair cycle

The persistent BNR cycle affects water security globally. This cycle emerges when water infrastructure such as embankments, drainage canals, sluice gates, or water treatment facilities are developed without sustainable asset management in place. Ensuring long-term operation and maintenance requires not only adequate budgets, but also strong organisational capacity.

Root causes of the BNR cycle include gaps in institutional capacity, lack of clear procedures, insufficient technical expertise, inadequate tools, poor urban planning, and unaligned community behaviour. During this session, we will highlight practical strategies and encourage participants to discuss how to break the cycle effectively.

Landscape-based solutions for water security

Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into landscape-based conservation strategies offers a powerful opportunity to reshape water governance. This session highlights how Indigenous-led approaches can inform water and land management policies. Traditional knowledge – refined over generations – can be combined with modern practices to develop solutions that are both culturally meaningful and ecologically sound, particularly at river basin scale. Participants of this session will gain insights into aligning landscape-based solutions with long-term water security goals and be encouraged to explore inclusive, place-based governance strategies.

Stockholm World Water Week 2025

These themes also serve as preparation for Partners for Water’s upcoming workshops during Stockholm World Water Week (SWWW), where they will be explored in greater depth with international water professionals.

Symposium details

The 7th International Symposium on Knowledge and Capacity for the Water Sector takes place from 2–4 July 2025 at IHE Delft, in a hybrid format allowing both in-person and online participation. Together with an international community of practitioners, academics and policymakers, we’ll explore how changes in the water sector impact knowledge and capacity strengthening and reconsider capacity strengthening approaches.

From the swampy mangroves of Ghana to the salty coastlines of Vietnam: in the new podcast ‘Waterproof’ from Partners for Water, journalist and podcast maker Tracy Metz delves into solutions that are shaping our water future. This six-part series, filled with stories from the frontlines of water management, is a must-listen for anyone seeking both information and inspiration.

Why the Waterproof podcast?

‘Bring in the Dutch’—although the Netherlands is globally renowned for its water management, we also recognise that we do not have all the answers. In ‘Waterproof’, we explore new techniques and developments worldwide for a Waterproof future.

In ‘Waterproof’, Tracy highlights the challenges and versatile solutions being implemented globally to tackle water crises. Each conversation and episode offers unique insights into how different cultures and experts approach water management issues. From restoring natural habitats that protect coastlines from erosion to developing innovative techniques that make agriculture more resilient against saltwater intrusion, ‘Waterproof’ demonstrates how global collaboration and local knowledge come together in the fight against water-related challenges.

A journey through global water challenges

The first podcast episode goes live on 21 November, focusing on Nature-based Solutions with an inspiring project in Ghana. In each episode the Dutch approach is featured. Over the coming weeks, Tracy will take you to:

• Ghana: Focusing on Nature-based Solutions such as the conservation of mangroves crucial for protection of the waterways, yet also economically exploited by local communities.
• Vietnam: Tackling increasing soil salinity that threatens agricultural production, with innovative farming techniques and salt-tolerant crops.
• The Netherlands: Challenges of water abundance and rising sea levels, where advanced water management techniques and infrastructure are employed.
• Egypt:The battle against water pollution and managing water resources in a country where water is scarce and the population is rapidly growing.
• Bangladesh: Solutions for flooding and cyclones through improved prediction models and community-focused emergency plans.
• Indonesia: Insights into how traditional knowledge is integrated with modern techniques to address water issues in an archipelago of thousands of islands.

Waterproof discusses the need for system change

Tracy shares: “It was impressive to see how in Ghana, they handle mangroves as natural coastal protection. But I also saw these mangroves being cut down for charcoal for local fish dishes. Without focus on sustainable management, this nature-based solution makes no sense. From a systems approach, separate mangrove plantations are now being set up for wood production. Do you help with the planting of the coastal mangroves? Then you can pick up a bundle of mangrove branches here. Research into alternative smoking techniques that spare the mangroves but still offer that beloved taste is also being conducted. System change is necessary for feasible sustainable Waterproof solutions.”

With ‘Waterproof’, Tracy does more than narrate; she inspires action. Whether you are a water professional or someone eager to understand more about global water challenges, this podcast is a fusion of information and inspiration.

Launch on 21 November

From 21 November 2024, the podcast will be available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with subsequent live meetups after each episode for further discussion. Mark this date in your calendar!

Tracy Metz was a member of the second Delta Commission, chaired by former Minister Cees Veerman. She is the author of the book ‘Sweet & Salt: Water and the Dutch’ and previously produced two podcasts on water, ‘Nattigheid: Opbeurende verhalen over ons water’ and ‘Water Talks’ following the UN Water Conference in 2023.

The Welang River in East Java, Indonesia, is a vital resource for the nearby communities providing water for daily use and supporting local agriculture. However, as cities expand and populations grow, the river has faced increasing problems such as flooding, erosion and pollution. In response, the Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands, through its Partners for Water programme have initiated the Welang River Basin Transformation Project to tackle these challenges and protect both the river and the people who depend on it.

The Welang River in East Java, Indonesia, is a lifeline for the people who live nearby, providing water for daily use and supporting local agriculture. However, as cities expand and populations grow, the river has faced increasing problems such as flooding, erosion, and pollution. In response, the Governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands invest in the Welang River Basin Transformation Project to tackle these challenges and protect both the river and the people who depend on it.

The project is built around a central idea: collaboration. Local communities, government officials, and environmental experts are all working together to develop smart water management solutions that address the river’s problems. What makes this project unique is its focus on local ownership by involving everyone in the process, ensuring that solutions are created by listening to the needs and ideas of the people who live near the river.

The Welang River Project adopts a collaborative, step-by-step approach to co-create practical and sustainable solutions that meet community needs. It begins by engaging with local residents to understand their issues, such as flooding or limited access to clean water. With these insights, local residents, government officials, and experts work together to develop solutions. After initial testing, community feedback is used to refine these ideas, enhancing their effectiveness. The final, improved solutions are then implemented in coordination with government plans to ensure they can be scaled for broader impact.

Miniseries on the Welang River Basin project

This is the first article in the miniseries on the Welang River Basin project, highlighting the role of youth in sustainable waste management. Below you can find the links to other articles in the series:

Article 1: The role of trusted advisors
Article 2: Practical implementation of Nature-Based Solutions
Article 3: Empowering youth for sustainable waste mangement
Article 4: A participatory design approach

From 21 October to 1 November, representatives from 196 countries gathered in Cali, Colombia for COP16 on Biological Diversity. Together, they discussed progress and the protection of global biodiversity.

The Netherlands made an active contribution with its own pavilion, hosted by Partners for Water, where new insights, lessons and collaborations emerged on biodiversity, water, food, landscape-based approaches and greening finance. Keep reading to discover the key insights from two weeks of dynamic discussions.

Insights from the Netherlands Pavilion at COP16

The Netherlands Pavilion emerged as a dynamic hub where greening finance, the water-biodiversity-food nexus, and landscape-based solutions for bio-cultural diversity seamlessly came together. Throughout the week, engaging discussions and workshops generated fresh insights and fostered valuable collaborations. A significant milestone was reached when the WWF and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, pledging to promote Nature-based Solutions (NBS) across Europe to tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Netherlands Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken visited the Netherlands Pavilion and highlighted the importance of bridging the gaps between different practitioners in the water, biodiversity and food sectors. A key insight? True capacity building happens when we openly discuss challenges, share practical lessons learned, and collaborate on solutions. When we move beyond presentation mode to problem-solving mode, we create lasting impact. “Landscape binds people, binds knowledge, binds nature.” – the Netherlands Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

The Netherlands Pavilion welcomed UN Youth Representatives on Biodiversity, who shared their insights on their work at COP. Find out what they have to say in the video below.

COP16’s key insights on biodiversity, water, food and more

Finance and biodiversity
At COP16’s Netherlands Pavilion, the message was clear: If we want to see real change, we need to think beyond traditional funding models. While public funding alone can’t solve biodiversity challenges, blending public and private investments opens new possibilities for nature. For instance, government and philanthropic support can help reduce risks for private investors, though new financial structures are still evolving. “Public funding alone is insufficient to tackle the biodiversity challenge. Blended finance is key to unlocking private investment for nature.” – Caroline Van Leenders, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

Value chains and biodiversity
The dialogue on value chains at COP16 challenged conventional thinking. Rather than hard contracts, experts advocated for soft approaches. A communal vision emerged to push towards localised food systems. Rather than maintaining the status quo of global supply chains, the focus should shift to celebrating and protecting local diversity while sharing risks across the entire value chains.

Biodiversity assessment tools
ASN Bank’s portfolio analysis revealed unexpected insights about groundwater impact, highlighting a crucial lesson: assessment tools can uncover hidden environmental impacts, encouraging organisations to begin measuring their biodiversity footprint. A key message that emerged: starting with available information is better than waiting for complete datasets. “Don’t wait for perfect data to measure biodiversity impact. Even with limited data, you can start assessing with what you have.” – Lucian Peppelenbos, Robeco

Localised landscape restoration
“Return on Inspiration (ROI) is where landscape restoration begins,” noted Willem Ferwerda from Commonland, reflecting the belief that local communities must believe in a better future to make restoration succeed. He emphasised that true change requires a 20-year commitment. A key insight? An area-based approach is essential; let nature define the project’s scale while ensuring long-term stakeholder engagement. “If you truly want to regenerate landscapes, focus on the most degraded areas rather than those that are easy to showcase success with.” – Daan Groot, Nature Squared

Indigenous knowledge, water and biodiversity
Ancient wisdom offers modern solutions, as demonstrated by the Zenu case study where historical canal systems combat flooding while supporting agriculture and aquaculture. These discussions at COP16 highlighted how traditional practices can effectively restore biodiversity and water systems, and repeatedly highlighted the power of collective thinking over individual approaches. Indigenous voices are crucial guides in our journey towards better biodiversity management; their perspective isn’t just valuable – it’s essential for creating lasting change.

Liliane Geerling from Partners for Water discussed incorporating Indigenous knowledge into landscape-based approaches with various experts present at COP16. Watch the video below to learn more.

“Like salsa dancing in Cali – the world’s salsa capital –, COP16 was all about making meaningful connections!” – Martine van Weelden, Capitals Coalition

Moving forward with nature

COP16 demonstrated that protecting biodiversity requires long-term commitment, collective thinking, and innovative funding models. As shown at the Netherlands Pavilion, success lies in bridging sectors, incorporating indigenous knowledge and turning discussions into action. “The way forward is not through war but through working with the other party,” emphasized Colombia’s Minister of Environment Susana Muhamad. So let’s start working together with nature to create a water, food and biodiversity-secure future.

Watch the recap video for a glimpse of the vibrant atmosphere.

As a child, Ylva Veldhuis dreamed of working for the Red Cross, helping people in crisis zones. “I always imagined myself in crisis situations offering relief and making a difference for people in need,” she recalls. But as her career progressed, her focus shifted from immediate response to prevention and long-term solutions. Today, in her role at Partners for Water, she works on sustainable systems and methods that aim to prevent crises altogether. Nice to meet you Ylva!

From theory to practice: hydrology and asset management

Ylva’s passion for disaster prevention led her to study Earth Sciences, followed by a master’s degree in Earth, Surface & Water at Utrecht University, where she specialised in hydrology. “I found that water management and understanding systems came naturally to me,” she explains. Her internship at Rijkswaterstaat (the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) allowed her to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. There, she researched seepage along the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. “I went out to speak with farmers about their experiences, which helped me connect theory to real-world challenges,” she says.

Learning from experience: risk management in South Limburg

Following her internship, Ylva took on a traineeship at Rijkswaterstaat. One of her first assignments involved risk management and water safety in South Limburg. It was during this period that the devastating floods in Valkenburg occurred. “It was heartbreaking to witness, but incredibly insightful. Everything I had learned about risk management came into play,” she reflects.

From crisis response to crisis prevention

In her final assignment at Rijkswaterstaat, Ylva was tasked with community building to tackle drinking water crises as part of the Departmental Coordination Centre for Crisis Management. This role paved the way for her next move to the Dutch Risk Reduction Team at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Here, she found a perfect blend of her childhood dream combined with her academic background in water management: working internationally, crisis coordination and responding to natural disasters.

International collaboration: learning from global perspectives

At Partners for Water, Ylva had the chance to focus on international collaboration and long-term solutions. She began by organising international events such as the Singapore International Water Week and the World Water Forum in Bali. “It’s incredibly inspiring to meet people with such diverse challenges and ideas, but all with the same goal: making the world more sustainable through water management. I loved creating a space at the Dutch Pavilion where people felt welcome and at home,” she shares.

Sustainable solutions: Nature-based Solutions and asset management

Ylva’s work now centres on a thematic approach to Nature-based Solutions (NBS) together with Matthijs Zijlmans. She and her colleague Tamar Meibergen are also working on the Build Neglect Repair Cycle, a programme designed to ensure the long-term maintenance of water infrastructure is planned from the start. “It’s not just about building something; it’s about making sure it’s maintained over the long term. Without proper maintenance, even the most impressive dykes or mangroves are only temporary fixes,” Ylva explains.

Collaboration and making an impact

One of the aspects Ylva values most at Partners for Water is the opportunity to work with equally passionate and more experienced colleagues. “Collaborating on both Nature-based Solutions and the Build Neglect Repair Cycle has given me so many new insights. I’m constantly learning and gaining a better understanding of how we can make a lasting impact,” she says.

The future: aiming for systemic change

In the coming years, Ylva hopes to contribute to systemic change, where long-term solutions become the standard. “I want us to take significant steps and open doors to discussions about different alternatives and measures. The key is to find what works best for the long term,” she explains. Ylva believes these efforts will lead to meaningful, structural shifts in the way we manage water resources. With her technical expertise, practical experience, and forward-thinking approach, Ylva Veldhuis is set to play a crucial role in the success of Partners for Water.

With the Human series, we showcase the people who are involved in and benefit from the Partners for Water projects. The Human series sheds light on the stories of the people with whom and for whom Partners for Water works and on how water affects their lives. Discover how Rob Goodliffe’s love for water has inspired him to help preserve the coastline for future generations.

Meet Rob Goodliffe

In this Humans of Partners for Water series, we introduce Rob Goodliffe, the Coastal Transition Manager for North Norfolk District Council. Growing up in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in East Anglia, England, he experienced first-hand the powerful sea and vulnerable coastline, which profoundly shaped his life and career.

A lifelong connection to the sea

For Rob Goodliffe, the sea has always been a source of wonder. He has long been fascinated by how the moon and sun can move vast volumes of water twice daily—a phenomenon he describes as “absolutely incredible.” Growing up in North Norfolk, he became acutely aware at a young age of the coastline’s vulnerability. After storms, he would rush to the beach, where the sand had been swept away, revealing coins, fossils and other treasures washed ashore.

These early experiences shaped his career path. Today, he serves as the Coastal Transition Manager for North Norfolk District Council, focusing on preparing for storms and managing their aftermath to protect the fragile coastline.

“Water means a great deal. It has always fascinated me, especially the sea here.”

The devastating North Sea storm surge of 2013 significantly impacted the coast, flooding many homes and destroying others in the wake of powerful waves. In response, Rob and his team developed a sandscaping project inspired by the Dutch technique known as zandmotor. They deposited 1.8 million cubic meters of sand along key beaches to raise sea levels, protect coastal defences and safeguard infrastructure and homes from unrelenting waves. By building a digital twin, they gained a comprehensive understanding of how the sand they had placed has shifted and moved.

Through these efforts, Rob aims to preserve the coastline for future generations while dedicating his life and work to his passion for water.

The Waterproof Podcast

Waterproof is the six-part Partners for Water podcast that travels the globe sharing uplifting stories about how today’s water crises are being tackled through smart ideas, local knowledge and international partnerships. Hosted by water expert Tracy Metz, Waterproof delves into six crucial water themes with local and international experts, researchers, practitioners and other water professionals.

How to listen: you can listen to the Waterproof podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on this page.

• Save the Podcast on Spotify
• Save the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Following each episode, listeners can participate in live Meetups with other water professionals to go deeper into the themes. Please check out the different locations of the live Meetups below. Sign up and join the conversation with us.

Episode 6: From Financing Green to Greening Finance

Transitioning to a sustainable global economy requires integrating nature’s value into financial decision-making. By greening finance, we aim to recognise the multiple values of ecosystem services. When we account for these natural benefits, we can make better investment decisions that serve both business and environmental goals. Partners for Water collaborates with international financial institutions such as the World Bank to accelerate fundamental change in business and finance, driving the transition towards an economy that incorporates nature’s true value.

In the ‘From Financing Green to Greening Finance’ episode, you will explore ways to incorporate nature’s true value within water projects.

• Meet-up: 17 April 2025, location to be announced

Episode 1: Let Nature Do It!

For centuries, the Dutch have been good at keeping the water out using increasingly engineered structures of concrete and steel like the Delta Works. And for years, they’ve exported that technology too. But times are changing. Macho dikes keep the water out, but they’re terrible for nature and biodiversity. The Dutch are – slowly – discovering that you can work with nature rather than against it. It’s called Nature Based Solutions and they work – in the Netherlands, in Ghana, basically everywhere. And that is why this week’s show is called: Let Nature Do It!

We speak with Bregje van Wesenbeeck, who is experimenting with willows and mangroves to see how they stand up to storms. Carel Nobbe of the Blue Deal says: first you have to make sure the people you’re working with are on board. Wetlands ecologist Emmanuel Nii Attram Taye from Ghana is working to save the mangrove forests that protect the coast. For the Netherlands, says Alex Hekman of NL2120, it’s both: Nature-based Solutions are essential, but always in combination with hard infrastructure.

Episode 2: The Salty Intruder

This second episode of Waterproof is all about “The Salty Intruder”. All over the world, arable land is becoming more and more saline, threatening farmers’ livelihoods and our food security. But there are smart, innovative people looking for solutions – and the Dutch are helping, for example with a new Virtual Reality game to teach farmers to plant salt tolerant crops.

In Egypt, where the Nile delta is getting saltier, farmers like Tariq el Arini are switching from water-intensive rice to saline loving potatoes. And Vietnam’s ‘Sokfarm’ has moved from coconut milk, ruined by salt, to coconut sugar, made from the sap of the flower. Even Dutch farmers are struggling to come to terms with the intruder. But then we meet Hans Elenbaas, who has harvested salty sea vegetables his whole life! And he loves it.

Episode 3: Locals in the Lead

Too often, water management and infrastructure solutions are developed based on assumptions about local communities’ needs, rather than through active listening to their concerns. This results in solutions that fail to foster local ownership and overlook valuable community knowledge, ultimately leading to unsustainable water projects. Working closely with local people and partners, incorporating both their needs and expertise,  is critical to the success of long-term water projects. Partners for Water encourages this approach through multidisciplinary methods and collaborative efforts with local communities and stakeholders.

In the episode on locally led development, you will explore various approaches and examples of locally led water projects, with Shahnoor Hasan from Deltares, Chris Zevenbergen from the TU Delft, Professor Kwasi Appeaning Addo from the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies in Ghana and Floris Boogaard from Hanze Hogeschool and Deltares.

Episode 4: Build-Neglect-Repair-Repeat

Water management and infrastructure are essential for society as their operational durability directly impacts the resilience of livelihoods and economies. Despite their crucial role, proper operation and long-term maintenance are often overlooked, leading to the costly ‘Build-Neglect-Repair’ (BNR) cycle prevalent in the international water sector. Partners for Water recognises the urgent need to shift toward sustainable design, financing and management practices in water infrastructure and is committed to understanding the root causes of the BNR cycle and collaborating with partners to implement more sustainable practices.

In this ‘Build-Neglect-Repair-Repeat’ episode, you will explore various approaches and hear about international examples that promote lasting operation and maintenance of water management and infrastructure projects.

Episode 5: Nature’s Recipe: Water, Biodiversity and Food

Biodiversity is the cornerstone of all life on Earth. However, conventional water management and food production practices are leading to a rapid decline in global biodiversity, with our food production systems causing 70% of land-based biodiversity loss. Incorporating biodiversity as an integral part of water and food decision-making not only improves local and global ecosystems, but also strengthens the resilience of our food production systems, water infrastructure and economies. That’s why Partners for Water promotes biodiversity not as a ‘nice-to-have’ but as a core component in food and water decision-making.

In this ‘Water-Biodiversity-Food’ episode, you will learn various approaches and examples of incorporating biodiversity into water and food projects.

The Waterproof Podcast – Trailer

How to listen: you can listen to the Waterproof podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on this page.

• Save the Podcast on Spotify
• Save the Podcast on Apple Podcasts

In the heart of the coffee-growing region of Magdalena, the Netherlands and Colombia are combining forces to improve water efficiency and biodiversity conservation. This week, representatives from 196 countries including scientists, indigenous communities, business representatives and environment ministers are gathering in Cali, Colombia at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Agreements on progress and protection of biodiversity will be discussed extensively until 1 November.

Amid the many discussions, the collaborative partnership between the Netherlands and Colombia reflects a committed effort to promote biodiversity conservation, particularly in the coffee sector. One notable project, “Improving Water Efficiency in the Coffee Sector in the Magdalena Region” is funded by the Dutch government’s Partners for Water (PFW) programme and coordinated by AidEnvironment, a non-profit consultancy specialising in sustainable development and environmental conservation. AidEnvironment works in close partnership with the local Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe and Deltares, a Dutch research institute focused on water management, environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The project

The “Improving Water Efficiency in the Coffee Sector in the Magdalena Region” project is implemented in Colombia’s key coffee-growing regions in the watersheds of the Aracataca. This is the birthplace of the famous writer and Nobel prize winner Gabriel García Márquez and is located in the Magdalena department by the Fundación rivers in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) mountain range. The region covers 18,000 hectares of coffee farms comprising of over 5,000 small-scale farmers. The project aims to find a balance between the economic importance of coffee production and the need to preserve ecosystems downstream, including the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM), a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Since 1981, annual rainfall has steadily declined, resulting in water scarcity that poses a significant threat to both coffee farming and the biodiversity of the CGSM wetlands, which depend on reliable upstream water flows. The region’s traditional wet-processing methods pollute the water and place additional stress on both surface and groundwater resources.

Smallholder coffee farmers, who are vital to the local economy, are especially susceptible to these environmental shifts. Their limited financial resources further hinder their ability to adapt, making it more urgent to find affordable, locally tailored solutions. Keje Nagel, Coordinator of AidEnvironment, conducted extensive field research in various countries to understand the conditions and challenges that coffee farmers face, particularly around economic hardships and environmental degradation caused by coffee production. “It is essential,” he says in a video call from Colombia, “to create more circular agricultural systems that reduce environmental harm.”

The challenges

To tackle the challenges, Nagel explains that a two-phased approach will be implemented that actively engages coffee producers. In the first phase, “we will collaborate closely with local farmers to thoroughly understand their realities, challenges and the socio-cultural contexts. This will enable us to identify innovative water-saving and decontamination technologies specifically tailored to their needs and financial capabilities. Green filters for water purification will be explored, as well as other methods for reducing agrochemical use and innovative post-harvesting techniques for water-scarce conditions.

In the second phase, these technologies will be deployed on a pilot farm “to ensure they are both technically effective and culturally relevant”. Each farm will be treated as a micro-watershed, emphasising water retention, minimising runoff and enhancing soil health. By actively involving farmers in the implementation process and offering training in sustainable practices, the idea is to reduce dependencies on chemical inputs and optimise overall water management. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework will track key indicators, including water availability, soil moisture and biodiversity health, allowing the long-term impact of these interventions to be assessed.

Reducing water consumption and nutrient runoff

Coffee is one of the key crops for soil conservation. However, coffee processing poses a risk of nutrient leakage, which can cause contamination when nutrient levels reach unnaturally high concentrations and end up in local rivers, contributing to water pollution. This occurs when nutrient-rich pulp and wastewater, used in washing the coffee cherries, are discharged into nearby rivers or streams. While this process may appear small, it leads to harmful nutrient peaks as piles of pulp partly end up in the water through rainfall. Nagel adds: “When these piles are left uncovered there is a significant risk of nutrient leakage which can cause serious damage to aquatic biodiversity. Fish and other species may struggle to survive in these altered environments.”

Maintaining nutrient flows and minimising external inputs such as fertilizers, is becoming increasingly expensive and unsustainable, especially in economically disadvantaged regions. “The ideal model for coffee farming,” says Nagel, “balances economic stability for farmers with environmentally sustainable practices, involving long-term contracts and regenerative agricultural techniques that support biodiversity and prevent resource depletion.”

Their findings show that the primary issue in coffee production, is exactly that: the economic disparity in the value chain, where producers receive a very small portion of the generated value (around 10%). This financial instability makes it difficult for farmers to get around and they often have other priorities than complying with environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, water pollution and soil degradation.

Pilot farms

Currently the National Coffee Federation (FNC) is implementing various technologies aimed at reducing water use and contamination. They are promoting two different filters that filter water wastewater with plants such as vetiver grass to remove excess nutrients from coffee processing. The other option is the use of Eco mills, innovative coffee processing machines that drastically reduce water usage. “The Eco mill processes coffee from cherry to parchment without impacting the overall production system”, Nagel adds.

However, these technologies are expensive, ranging from €2,500 and €5,000, making them inaccessible for many smallholder farmers. Moreover, green filter technology currently lacks a component that ensures the re-use of the collected nutrients. The project, therefore, is still in its development phase aiming to find scalable, affordable solutions tailored to different farm sizes and local contexts, with closed nutrient cycles. Farmers are encouraged to implement various agroforestry techniques before they become eligible for subsidies. By doing this, greater awareness among farmers can lead to their active contribution to sustainable practices.

Local institutions like CENICAFÉ, the research arm of the National Coffee Federation (Federación Nacional de Cafetéros de Colombia) is essential in ensuring not only the best technology, but also its adaptability and scalability within the region.

Rather than inventing new technologies these existing technologies built on previous research, are taken as departure points ensuring that any potential additions proposed can be easily adopted by the FNC, who are closely connected to the local context.

The road ahead

Over the next six months, the team will develop a technological design for a farm and work closely with local partners to ensure that the systems are effective and sustainable. This will be followed by a nine-month implementation phase. As with any project of this scale, however, patience and persistence are required. Cultural change in farming communities takes time and the team recognises that building trust and demonstrating success will be essential for long-term adaptation.

Looking for ways to get involved?

Are you currently working on water projects in Colombia or exploring how to do so? Or just curious about participating in the Partners for Water initiatives? Here are ways for you to get involved:

• Apply for our tenders focused on innovative solutions in delta countries like Colombia.
• Join our annual Colombia platform meeting or one of the other Partners for Water events.
• Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our tenders, activities, events and projects.
• Apply for the Partners for Water subsidy. Explore whether you are eligible.
• Get in touch with our Project Advisor for Colombia: Robert Proos