‘Integrating biodiversity into water solutions can both strengthen water management and address biodiversity challenges,’ states Nico Tillie from TU Delft. During the Waterproof 2024 event organised by Partners for Water, Nico co-hosted a deep dive session into biodiversity and water issues. We spoke with him and discussed the importance of biodiversity in water projects, how to integrate it, and what he achieved during the deep dive session.

As a landscape architect, researcher and lecturer at the Urban Ecology & Ecocities Lab at TU Delft, Nico works daily on integrating biodiversity into landscape and water solutions. During Waterproof 2024, he and his colleague Rosa de Wolf held a deep dive session on incorporating biodiversity in addressing water challenges. Below, he explains how the water sector can embrace this important component for water solutions.

Nico Tillie – Photo by Peter Venema.

The Importance of biodiversity

Our water quality, coastal defences and groundwater levels, among other things, depend on ecosystems, which can only provide their services if there is sufficient biodiversity,’ explains Nico. Yet, when solving water problems, vegetation and biodiversity are often overlooked in the water cycle. Nico: ‘It is crucial that biodiversity forms a clear part of the approach when addressing water-related challenges; both for civil engineering and Nature-based Solutions.’

‘The water-biodiversity nexus has implications not only for water issues but also for food, CO2, and other climate-related issues,’ Nico adds. ‘By approaching water challenges more broadly and integrating biodiversity into the water cycle, the benefits become of all these interfaces become more apparent.’

Understanding the local system

‘Biodiversity is not only about the richness of species but also about habitat variety and genetic diversity. Together, they form a complex system.’ Nico explains that in order to develop biodiversity-focused water solutions, it is important to understand the local system as a whole and adapt solutions as much as possible to the local climate and water conditions. But how exactly do you do that as a water engineer, for example?

Nico: ‘Understanding the local system can be done by initially mapping the water system and its associated vegetation, and then the surrounding habitat and local species. From that starting point, you can search for relevant solutions.’ He indicates that it is very valuable to make use of local knowledge, ecologists, and multidisciplinary teams in the process.

Pattern language

‘What will further promote biodiversity-focused water solutions is using  clear and unambiguous ‘language’ when talking about these themes”, says Nico. ‘At Delft University of Technology, we have developed a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that helps water professionals better understand local ecosystems and biodiversity-related processes. In this course, professionals not only learn substantively about this theme, but they also become acquainted with the so-called ‘pattern language’. This is a common, easy-to-understand language used for designing solutions. As a result, people from various backgrounds can work together effectively on biodiversity and water issues.’

From April, you can find the developed MOOC on the TU Delft website.

Deep dive session at Waterproof

‘Pattern language acts as a bridge between ecological and hydrological knowledge,’ explains Nico. He demonstrated this during the Biodiversity Deep Dive Session that he led with his colleague Rosa Wolf at Waterproof 2024. They presented a case study to the participating ecologists, water engineers, and other water professionals about an arid city in Mexico with water problems. The participants were challenged to find a solution using biodiversity as the starting point. ‘After mapping the water system together, the participants were able to jointly identify relevant applications,’ he adds explains.

Nico also showed the participants a case in which he used so-called ‘solution cards’. He says: ‘When we have similar design sessions with stakeholders, we support them with solution cards that present possible applications in a way that is understandable to everyone. This enables stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to jointly comprehend the water system and determine which applications are necessary to ensure biodiversity plays a central role in solving the problem.’ After the deep-dive session, he received a lot of positive feedback from the participants. ‘The people seemed to really understand and get a better grasp on ecosystems and biodiversity!’

Nico Tillie presenting at Waterproof – Photo by Peter Venema.

Fundamentally integrating Biodiversity

“For me, biodiversity is an essential part of the water cycle because it can both strengthen water management and address biodiversity challenges. Looking ahead, I hope that this cyclical and systemic approach to biodiversity will become a fundamental part of technical solutions,” Nico says. Reflecting on the positive responses he and his colleague received during Waterproof 2024, he is already taking crucial steps towards that integrated future.

‘Deep listening, system approaches and embracing biodiversity.’ Are these the key elements to taking the next steps to improve global water security? This question and many more were discussed by almost 400 international water professionals during the Waterproof 2024 event, organised by Partners for Water on 6 February in Utrecht. The event facilitated a dialogue to fast-track sustainable water management. “It’s time to shift from talking to action.”

“Today is about action and matchmaking” said Liliane Geerling, programme coordinator of Partners for Water. Together with Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken and moderator Tracy Metz, she kicked off the long awaited Waterproof 2024 event. Through panel discussions, networking and deep dive sessions, water professionals with a wide range of backgrounds, from the public and private sectors, NGOs and knowledge institutions would outline the next steps for improving global water security. Liliane: “Let’s focus on collaboration and dare to zoom out and look at the whole system, in order to realise a net gain rather than make things less bad.”

Liliane Geerling, Tracy Metz & Meike van Ginneken – Photo by Peter Venema.

Biodiversity, Water Technology and Social Inclusion

Biodiversity

“Biodiversity must be integrated from the start when generating new ideas,” Nico Tillie (TU Delft) explained, initiating the first of three panel discussions at the event. The panels consisted of various experts from the water sector who touched on the themes of water technology, biodiversity and social inclusion. Tillie and his fellow panellists Harro Wieringa (Witteveen+Bos) and Ivo Walsmit (RVO) came to a consensus that biodiversity should always be considered when developing water solutions. Walsmit: “When we view separate water initiatives as interconnected elements of a larger system, we enhance our collective capacity to influence these projects in ways that bolster biodiversity.”

“When it comes to biodiversity, it’s not just about minimising harm; it’s about achieving positive gains.” – Nico Tillie, TU Delft

Nico Tillie, Harro Wieringa & Ivo Walsmit – Photo by Peter Venema.

Water Technology

“The Netherlands is renowned for its innovative water technology and collaborative work ethos. Yet there is a need to accelerate the application of these innovations in our own country,” explained Hein Molenkamp (Water Alliance). In the discussion with Michiel Staatsen (NX Filtration) on the ambitions of Dutch water technology, Michiel noted that his company faces more challenges to apply their innovations in The Netherlands than abroad, and that our country is lagging behind looking at the low water quality of surface water in the Netherlands. Both panellists highlighted the global significance of Dutch innovations and underscored the necessity of confronting domestic water-related challenges. Staatsen concluded: “Numerous Dutch companies possess great water solutions. Now it’s time to shift from talking to action.”

Heijn Molenkamp – Photo by Peter Venema.

Social Inclusion

“For centuries, the Dutch have used a participatory approach in addressing water challenges, and we aim to bring that mindset when collaborating with foreign partners,” says Rob Steijn. He, along with Shahnoor Hasan (Deltares) and Melvin van der Veen (Both Ends) discussed the importance of social inclusion in sustainable water management. Hasan challenges this view: “I don’t think it should be about what Dutch experts believe is a good approach. We need to rethink our understanding of social inclusion and avoid oversimplifying it.” Van der Veen adds: “My invitation for the water sector is to reach out to the local people and civil organisations when developing water solutions, because otherwise, you might end up building solutions that the locals did not ask for or are unable to sustain.”

“We need to rethink our understanding of social inclusion and avoid oversimplifying it.”- Shahnoor Hasan, Deltares

Shahnoor Hasan – Photo by Peter Venema.

Deep dive sessions: key outcomes

After the networking lunch all participants split into groups to join one of the thirteen deep-dive sessions in which they delved into important water themes and discussed them collectively. Below are the key outcomes of these breakout sessions, categorised into overarching themes.

Nature-based Solutions (NBS)

• When it comes to NBS, don’t just talk and write but try ideas out to provide convincing proof of concepts. Keep it simple and start doing.
• In a cost-benefit analysis of NBS, don’t just look for the benefits of NBS over traditional solutions, but also highlight the disadvantages traditional solutions may have in the long term.
• Local ambassadors are key in order to take NBS forward.
• Marginalized and vulnerable communities often encounter high risks but might benefit most from NBS. Look into the equitable distribution of the benefits of NBS vs the risks encountered.

“Essentially, it is all about deep listening. That is something we, as the water sector, are learning and we should keep on improving that.” –  Dennis van Peppen

Dennis van Peppen – Photo by Peter Venema.

Social Inclusion

• When aiming for locally-led development, we need to unlearn old practices, learn to deeply listen and, instead of making decisions ourselves, facilitate local stakeholders in the development process.
• Serious board gaming (using games as simulation tools to model real-life scenarios, strategies or systems for educational, training or decision-making purposes) shows how easy it is to fall into the trap of exclusion. Creating moments to reflect without judgement on what has happened – both after serious gaming and in real-life – creates space to become aware and ‘unlearn’ unwanted practices.
• To enhance socially inclusive processes, listening to a representative group of local stakeholders and letting go of egos is key.
• Socially inclusive processes require time. It is crucial to allow local stakeholders sufficient time to understand the issues and to avoid making any hasty decisions.

“It really struck me that all the people playing ‘locals’ in the Delta Planning board game didn’t say a word throughout the game.” -Stephanie Janssen, Deltares

Stephanie Janssen – Photo by Peter Venema.

Business & technology

• With aid alone we will not reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To progress in global sustainable water management, the private sector needs to step in with sustainable, profitable business models.
• Key principles for successful sustainable, profitable business models include being driven by local demand, ensuring fair and achievable risk sharing and fostering local ownership.
• Bridging the gap between space technology and water management requires effective communication to educate water professionals about the value and interpretation of space-derived data.
• Developing practical use cases can demonstrate the application and benefits of space technology within the water sector.

“Prioritising the development of water solutions should begin with understanding the society, culture, and identity of the people for whom we are building, before delving into the technical aspects.” – Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands.

Riaz Hamidullah – Photo by Peter Venema.

Operation and Maintenance

• The unwanted Build-Neglect-Rebuild (BNR) cycle is complex and requires a systems approach in which we take time with relevant stakeholders to understand root causes.
• There will never be enough budget for Operations & Maintenance (O&M). A pre-condition is to raise awareness among local stakeholders and use the local capacity.

“No one has the complete picture of BNR. Instead of starting with solutions, map the root causes and establish an agenda.” – Frank van Steenbergen, MetaMeta

Communication

• Many countries and individuals face similar but different challenges. Images and storytelling can be powerful means to show these interlinkages.
• Through images and storytelling, knowledge can be democratized, moving beyond large reports and exclusive spaces to reach a broader audience.

“Visuals can be effective to attract people’s attention and can tremendously help written reports to have more impact.” – Kadir van lohuizen, photographer

Partners for Water Award

More than 300 people cast their votes to acknowledge the impact of one of the three projects that were nominated for the public Partners for Water Award. The three innovative projects by FieldFactors, Nelen & Schuurmans and Royal HaskoningDHV, were funded by the PVW-IVWW subsidy scheme and significantly contributed to global water security. After a day filled with suspense, the award was presented to FieldFactors who won with nearly half of the votes.

Hugo de Vries & Kieran Dartée – Photo by Peter Venema.

Time for action

It was a day filled with critical reflections, valuable insights and the initiation of new collaborations. However, the journey towards improving global water security doesn’t end at Waterproof 2024. As Meike Van Ginneken said, “Now it’s time to act. Carry forward the conversations held today with your partner countries, stakeholders and beyond the water sector. Let’s bring this movement forward.”

Ghana, like many other Sub-Saharan African countries, is experiencing extreme drought and irregular weather patterns. These climate change challenges are expected to increase and require adaptation and mitigation measures. To adapt, farmers need localised, climate smart irrigation advice. TU Delft, FutureWater, Holland Greentech and TAHMO are making this vital information accessible to local smallholders. TAHMO’s CEO and TU Delft lecturer, Frank Annor, reveals the underlying technique and processes behind their inclusive solution.

From his office at TU Delft, Frank discusses the innovative technology behind SOSIA+. As a Civil Engineer at TU Delft, he knows exactly how to implement the ideas of this elaborate service. But first, he explains the role of the other organization he works for: “TAHMO aims to develop a dense network of weather stations across Africa to enable precise weather monitoring and forecasting, and to facilitate openly accessible data. Our role in the SOSIA+ project is to provide the technology for the weather stations and moisture sensors, and to monitor and deliver real-time weather and climate data.”

Frank Annor

SOISA+ Technology

“Small-scale farmers receive localised irrigation advice on required water volumes and duration of irrigation from us to enhance water security and improve crop production,” Frank explains. “We’ve combined TAHMO’s data-collection technology with an algorithm created by FutureWater. Additionally, we offer training on the use of this system through the TU Delft partnership with Ghanaian universities and knowledge institutes and the Holland Greentech Ghana team.”

The irrigation advice is communicated through various channels, including an app, text messages, WhatsApp and in person. Frank explains: “Effective communication channels are crucial because we rely on farmers to collect and share data from their farms. This allows us to validate our advice and tailor it to the unique conditions of each farm. That’s why we created a modular communication system. The channels we use and the information we provide are based on the farmer’s preference and skills.”

An accessible service

“This technology stands out because it provides highly localised information that is directly applicable to the farmer’s field,” Frank explains. “Typically, such advanced technology is only accessible to large-scale farmers. However, we’ve developed a concept that allows multiple individual smallholder farmers to purchase the service collectively. Moreover, we’ve employed cost-effective, low-maintenance technology and a modular system that can be scaled to suit the farm’s size and the farmer’s level of expertise.”

Co-creation

“One of the key success factors of SOSIA+ is that we’ve developed the service and technology in collaboration with the farmers via an iterative process,” Frank reflects. “Our starting point was to discuss their needs and demonstrate how the system’s features could meet those needs. Then we created a mock-up, returned to the farmers for feedback, adjusted accordingly, and repeated the process. This approach significantly improved the usability and adoption of the service. It truly has been an invaluable lesson for developing solutions that genuinely meet the users’ needs.”

Scalability

Both Holland Greentech and TAHMO have teams operating in over 20 African countries. Frank explains, enthusiastically: “We already have the necessary connections in various areas, and the system’s modular design is great for scalability. The modularity ensures the technology is easily adaptable to meet the needs of new users in different locations.” He continues: “Challenges exist, such as establishing a viable business model. However, the funding from Partners for Water allows us to test our business model and value proposition in the pilot project and to develop a sound strategy on how to sustain the service moving forward.”

Innovation in progress series

The Partners for Water 5 programme (2022 – 2027) follows several projects that received the Partners for Water subsidy from start to finish. Over the next few years, these projects will take you on their journey of testing the feasibility or application of innovative solutions to enhance water safety and water security abroad. You’ll be able to gain insights into their processes, collaborations with local partners and their potential solutions; as well as their struggles, challenges and their lessons learned. Stay tuned via the Partners for Water LinkedIn page!

Liliane Geerling joined Partners for Waters on October 1st as programme coordinator. Common themes throughout her whole career have been water, spatial adaptation, knowledge sharing and project and programme management This is one of the reasons she believes that now, in her current position, everything she has learned in the past years is ‘coming together’. But first, let’s get to know her a bit better. Welcome to the team, Liliane!

‘Since graduating as a spatial designer at the Technical University in Delft, I’ve always found it important to incorporate local contexts into my work. Water is of course part of this context and has become an increasingly important topic in my career. The city of Rotterdam,  my first employer where I worked as project and programme manager, was involved in water issues at an early stage. So, for me, the current theme of “water and soil are leading” has been the starting point for me for many years already. Smart city planning and design means putting water in its natural place.

The other side of the table

‘After working for 7 years as project manager and advisor for a spatial development consultancy agency, I joined the HZ University of Applied Sciences in Zeeland. For 10 years I gave form to the spatial development courses within their water management programme as senior lecturer and researcher. Within that programme delta countries play a pivotal role which is why I’ve worked on a lot of projects in Southeast Asia. That’s when I first encountered PfW. Back then I was “on the other side of the table” trying to win subsidy schemes. An experience I’ll now take with me in my work here.’

‘At PfW I’ll work on connecting the components of the programme: subsidies, thematic and delta approaches and making sure that lessons learned are well communicated. There are many things to focus on, like figuring out how we can distinguish ourselves better in the Dutch water sector. Or how we, with relatively small budgets, can still manage to create “flywheel effects” in the countries where we’re active. Co-creation plays a big role in this because if locals don’t embrace it, a project will never be successful.’

New opportunities

‘I would also like to emphasise monitoring and evaluation, a topic which hasn’t received enough attention yet. Starting up a project is one thing, keeping it going is just as important. Continuity also fits our ambition of making the water sector more circular. Of course, national and local politics play a role in this process too. New political leaders need to understand the importance of our work. This can be challenging, but it is the circumstances in which we operate. It is complex, but also exciting and sometimes a turn of events, which at first seems negative, can lead to new positive opportunities.’

Currently I’m trying to figure out what my field looks like, which is why I’m in The Hague a lot, meeting people and connecting the dots. Systems thinking and integration have always been a part of my career, so I’m used to looking at complex situations from different angles. But I feel that in this position everything comes together: learning, capacity building, knowledge sharing, managing, innovating, communicating and preparing for the future. It will also be very interesting to see how the various water related programmes within RVO can strengthen one another in the coming years. And fun!

Today, we proudly presented the Partners for Water Award 2024 to FieldFactors during Waterproof 2024. The innovative BlueBloqs solution designed by FieldFactors transformed rainwater management in Valladolid, Spain. Over 300 people voted to recognise the impact of the three nominated projects that were funded by the PVW-IVWW subsidy scheme and which contributed to global water security.

Over the last two months, national and international water professionals have had the chance to vote for one of the three nominated projects, funded by the Partners for Water subsidy scheme. This scheme promotes the use of innovative techniques, services and methodologies devised by the Dutch water sector in order to increase water security abroad. The nominated projects not only envisioned change, but also made an impact with their innovative water solutions.

Winner of the Partners for Water Award 2024

We are delighted to announce that this year’s winner of the Partners for Water Award 2024 is FieldFactors, for its innovative BlueBloqs that transformed rainwater management in Valladolid, Spain. By combining design, engineering, water science and technology, FieldFactors implemented a Nature-based Solution to address flooding and periods of drought at Valladolid’s Zorrilla Football Stadium.

The BlueBloqs system collects and treats rainwater for direct use and underground storage, reducing flooding risks and operational costs for Real Valladolid and ensuring a reliable water source during dry months. The project aligns with the broader objectives of the Partners for Water programme, showcasing the power of innovative Nature-based Solutions in urban water management.

Transforming rainwater management in Valladolid with BlueBloqs – Field Factors

For more information about the project click on this link.

Runners-up of the Partners for Water Award 2024

We would also like to congratulate Nelen & Schuurmans and Royal HaskoningDHV as this year’s runners-up for the Partners for Water Award 2024. Nelen & Schuurmans significantly advanced flood prediction in Taipei by providing residents with vital risk information through advanced cloud computing. Royal HaskoningDHV contributed to water security through innovative sandscaping in Bacton, England, providing immediate coastal protection with digital twin technology.

Subsidy as a catalyst for sustainable water management

Each winner of this year’s awards were brilliant examples of how the PVW-IVWW subsidy scheme has been instrumental in bringing innovative water management solutions to life. These projects, spanning from 2017 to 2022, have utilised the subsidy as a launchpad for testing, adapting and perfecting their innovations in real-world settings.

Stay up-to-date on new subsidy application rounds and subsidy projects through the Partners for Water newsletter.

Sign up for the Partners for Water newsletter so you don’t miss out on new subsidy application rounds.

“Embracing space in water management will take our knowledge from a local to a global level” explains Kathelijne Beenen. Satellites and spatial information services, intricately linked with climate and water systems, form a vital part of our environmental management toolkit. All stakeholders in water management, agriculture and Nature-based Solutions should be informed about the ways this technology can enhance our understanding and management of water resources. Want to find out how and why? Discover the answers by joining the “Space Technology for (Water) Dummies” deep-dive session at Waterproof 2024, hosted by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) and users who have benefitted from space technology.

Who is Kathelijne Beenen?

Kathelijne’s expertise lies in innovation, and she has supported both the private sector and governments through her work with the NSO for the past three and a half years. Her academic background is in geoscience and remote sensing at Delft University of Technology, where she utilised satellite data to improve local agriculture. She is currently focussing on applying space technology to environmental challenges, ranging from local projects in Mozambique and Colombia to advising the Dutch government and Dutch businesses on leveraging satellite data for environmental solutions.

The urgency of space technology in water management

When asked why this topic is crucial, Kathelijne emphasised the role of space technology and data in addressing water management and climate challenges. “Earth observation and Internet-of-Things sensors (connected via satellites) provide us with real-time data and long-term trends, which are essential for making informed decisions in water management,” she explains. The ability to monitor and predict agricultural yields, understand land use, and manage our natural resources more effectively are indispensable to how we approach environmental challenges.

International developments and the future

Kathelijne highlights a significant shift in the space sector: from technology-driven satellite development to user-centric solutions. This evolution means more tailored services for a variety of end-users. Looking forward, seeing the steep increase in the number of Earth observation satellites and use of machine learning and AI, she predicts an increase in the availability and accessibility of satellite data and information services, fostering a more sustainable approach to managing our natural resources.

Why attend “Space technology for (water) dummies”?

“It’s a sneak preview of what space technology and Earth observation have to offer for water, climate change, and biodiversity. The session aims to inform, inspire, and engage us in meaningful dialogue.”

Join us at Waterproof 2024

Join us at Waterproof 2024 to explore how space technology can assist us in understanding, managing, and preserving our most precious resource: water.

“Choosing long-term, Nature-based Solutions over short-term, economical alternatives is pivotal for our future,” asserts Rosa de Wolf. Biodiversity, together with our climate and water systems, forms our life-support system. All initiatives under the Partners for Water umbrella should strengthen this life-support system. But how do we transcend the abstract nature of this concept? Find the answer by joining the design charrette led by Rosa de Wolf and Nico Tillie from TU Delft.

The expertise of Rosa de Wolf

Rosa’s expertise stems from her background in urban planning and her current role as a PhD candidate in Landscape Architecture at TU Delft. Her work, which began with pioneering designs for arid urban landscapes in Morocco, now focuses on revitalizing over 3,800 industrial sites in the Netherlands into vibrant, multifunctional, and nature-inclusive spaces, a programme financed by the Nationaal Groeifonds (National Growth Fund).

Biodiversity is more than a box to tick

Rosa emphasizes that biodiversity should not be merely an afterthought or a box to tick at a project’s end. Instead, it must be a starting point. “Designing for biodiversity means creating spaces that are not just aesthetically green and pleasant but also resilient to climate change,” she explains. This approach is about understanding and catering to the specific needs of various species, ensuring that our urban environments are as welcoming and nurturing for them as they are for us.

Why now? The urgency of biodiversity

The importance of this topic has never been more evident. With increasing water management challenges in the Netherlands and globally, Rosa stresses the need for immediate action. “Nature requires time to flourish, and if we aim to secure a habitable environment for the next fifty years, we cannot afford to delay,” she insists.

Global perspectives and local impact

Rosa’s involvement with international projects such as Africa Wood Grow in Kenya, offers a wider view on the efficacy of Nature-based Solutions. Another exemplary global initiative is the mangrove plantation in Indonesia, which demonstrates how nature can be instrumental in coastal restoration. These worldwide examples provide concrete evidence of the critical role biodiversity plays in tackling environmental challenges, from soil erosion to effective water management.

The future is green and diverse

Looking forward, Rosa envisions a world where biodiversity is at the forefront of urban design. “The future should see green, diverse spaces as a standard, not an afterthought,” she says. This vision requires a paradigm shift in how we approach urban development, prioritizing long-term ecological benefits over short-term gains.

Partners for Water has granted subsidies to 6 consortia that aim to enhance water security abroad with innovative solutions. This is the result of the third round of subsidies under the Partners for Water 2022-2027 programme. The scheme provides an opportunity for companies, knowledge institutions and NGOs in the water sector to research and test their approaches to sustainable water management. Discover the 6 innovative solutions below.

For the feasibility studies and pilot projects, the organisations that have been granted a subsidy will work in Portugal, Mexico, Ethiopia, Morocco, Egypt and Ghana.

1. Ecological breakwaters for a resilient coast (Mexico)

The Delft-based start-up ‘Reefy’ aims to address climate-change-induced challenges threatening the Mexican coastline and the Mesoamerican Reef. Their innovative solution, the ‘ReefBlock’, is a huge Lego-like block featuring a complex system of tunnels and can be assembled to form an underwater artificial reef. It serves not only as a foundation for reef growth but also as a submerged breakwater to protect the coastline. Reefy will undertake a detailed feasibility study in collaboration with local partners to assess the conditions and stakeholder interests, setting the groundwork for a future pilot project.

2. Enhanced water retention in building facades (Portugal)

Portugal is on the frontline of Europe’s climate change impacts and faces more extreme weather each year. Densely built areas exacerbate these effects, increasing flooding risks and indoor and outdoor temperatures. The Rainmate® systems project is set to research the feasibility of a passive, scalable technology for enhanced water retention in building facades. The water retained by this system is used to help mitigate heat in urban areas and provides a sustainable solution to the challenges posed by climate change.

Consortium: Blue Innovations B.V., Neoturf Espaços Verdes and Flax Sarl.

3. Hydroponic methods to combat soil salinity and water scarcity (Egypt)

The ProSal-Hydro project introduces a low-tech, low cost, open field hydroponic system (LTLCH) to enhance irrigation efficiency for smallholder farmers in the Nile Delta and to combat local salinisation. Vegetables will grow in shallow basins with their roots in the water, saving up to 80 to 90% of water compared to open field sprinkler irrigation systems. This allows for higher yields and consistent quality, and it is expected to be an affordable method with higher income for the farmer. With the funding from Partners for Water, the consortium will pilot the system in four locations in Egypt and aims to build local capacity to enhance the sustainable operations of the installed systems.

Consortium: Delphy B.V., The Salt Doctors B.V. and Plug ‘n’ Grow.

4. Accessible open data on agricultural water consumption monitoring (Morocco)

The Eleaf project addresses the issue of water shortages in the Tensift Basin, Morocco, that hinder local agricultural development. The consortium aims to empower local authorities and professionals without prior GIS experience with better tools for law enforcement, planning, monitoring and advising on water management by converting complex high-resolution geographical data on agricultural water consumption into user-friendly dashboards. This should result in enhanced decision-making and planning for agricultural water management.

Consortium: Eleaf and Resing

5. Three-part urban flood forecasting system (Ethiopia)

A consortium led by HKV will address the significant challenges in flood management that are faced by the local water authorities of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, by implementing a three-part urban flood forecasting system. This innovative solution will utilise the rapid flood inundation model SFINCS, integrated with HydroMT, to better predict and understand the effects of floods. This approach not only provides valuable weather insights but also generates steering information for flood management, emergency response and adaptation measures.

Consortium: HKV, Deltares, the Dutch Red Cross, Tahmo and ICPAC.

6. Innovative community water treatment system (Ghana)

Element15, Climate Focus and Fix that Pump will demonstrate and improve a community water treatment system designed to retrofit existing water infrastructures in Ghana’s rural areas. Their innovative BAR treatment system delivers water that is safe for consumption without requiring energy to operate the process. During the pilot phase, the consortium aims to have the BAR system certified by the World Health Organization and to improve its sustainability through carbon credit market financing. To test the operational feasibility, the project will go through the entire validation and verification cycle of certifying the project for carbon credits.

Consortium: Element15, Climate Focus and Fix that Pump.

Would you like to participate in the next subsidy round?

The subsidy scheme aims to support innovative projects from entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and NGOs in the Dutch water sector that improve water security abroad.
A new subsidy round will open in July. To be eligible, you can apply now for the mandatory intake interview.

Are you a professional in the water sector and looking for funding for an innovative project abroad? The next round of the Partners for Water subsidy scheme opens at the 19th of January! The intake interviews for 2024’s first round of the Partners for Water subsidy scheme just closed. However, a second subsidy round will open in July. To be eligible, you can apply now for the mandatory intake interview.

Partners for Water (PVW-IVWW) subsidy scheme

The Partners for Water programme 2022-2027 is designed to foster public-private partnerships and promote innovative sustainable water management projects. The programme includes seven subsidy rounds for the Dutch water sector. This will be the fourth round. The subsidy scheme focuses on supporting feasibility studies and pilot projects that generate new knowledge and experiences to scale up Dutch innovations. Additionally, Partners for Water organises networking activities to share insights and experiences. By developing new innovations, the Dutch water sector contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Who is it for?

This opportunity is for entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and NGOs in the Dutch water sector who want to work globally. Specifically, it is for those who want to conduct feasibility studies and pilot projects for innovative solutions related to water security in deltas, delta cities and in river basins abroad.

Sign up for a required intake interview

The next round of the Partners for Water subsidy scheme starts at the 19th of January! The intake interviews for 2024’s first round of the Partners for Water subsidy scheme just closed. However, a second subsidy round will open in July. To be eligible, you can apply now for the mandatory intake interview. Sign up here for a mandatory intake interview. During the intake interview, you can discuss the terms of the scheme with our advisor.

Have you already had an intake interview with our advisor? Then you can apply for the subsidy via our application page. There you will also find the required forms to include with your application.