Flowing Forward is a new capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening the institutional capabilities of the water sector in Bangladesh. The project focuses on two key challenges: improving asset management within the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and enhancing the knowledge of public organisations to effectively develop and manage public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Why this project?

Bangladesh faces major water-related challenges: ageing infrastructure, climate change, and a rapidly growing demand for reliable water services. A previous study commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) showed that current maintenance processes are not sufficiently geared towards the long term, that data and knowledge management are fragmented, and that financial resources are not being used optimally. In addition, research commissioned by the Netherlands Embassy indicates strong potential for collaboration with private parties. However, public institutions in Bangladesh currently lack sufficient experience to structure and manage PPP projects in a sustainable manner.

What makes this project unique?

Dutch and Bangladeshi partners jointly determine priorities, select case studies, and co-create training materials. A Project Coordination Group monitors progress and decides on the final structure of the programme following an inception period. The project places a strong emphasis on national expertise: more than half of all training days will be delivered by Bangladeshi experts. During the project, 10–15 experts from Bangladesh will be trained as national trainers, ensuring long-term knowledge retention.

Intended results

The programme aims to contribute to stronger and more sustainable water management in Bangladesh. During the project, BWDB will receive support to embed an asset management framework. Public organisations will be supported to independently develop PPP projects, and a national group of certified trainers will ensure continued knowledge transfer after project completion. Finally, the project emphasises gender equality in the selection of participants and trainers.

Project duration

Flowing Forward will run from December 2025 to September 2027, with a strong focus on ensuring the sustainable continuation of the project by Bangladeshi partners after the Dutch support has ended.

The article is also published on the website of our collaboration partner World Water Academy.

A broad-based, high-level Thai delegation visited the Netherlands for a five-day Knowledge Week under the Partners for International Business (PIB) – Greater Bangkok programme. In collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and in co-creation with Partners for Water and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Watermanagement, the exchange brought together senior government representatives, academic institutions and international partners to explore integrated water management in practice and strengthen long-term Thai-Dutch cooperation.

Water challenges in a complex delta context

Thailand’s water challenges are shaped by geographic vulnerability, urbanisation, climate impact and a complex institutional landscape. At that same time, responsibilities remain divided across multiple agencies and governance levels, while ageing infrastructure puts pressure on maintenance and long-term planning. This has often resulted in stand-alone, short-term projects, where infrastructure is designed to address immediate problems rather than deliver broader social, ecological and economic value. Recent basin-wide initiatives and urban resilience programmes, however, signal a gradual shift towards more coordinated and future-oriented water management in Thailand.

A long-standing Thai-Dutch water partnership

The recently held Knowledge Week builds on more than a decade of structured cooperation between Thailand and the Netherlands in the water sector. Following the 2011 floods in Thailand, Dutch experts contributed to post-flood assessments and strategic reviews. This laid the foundation for deeper collaboration. Since then, the partnership has evolved through policy dialogue, a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021 and joint initiatives such as the Water as Leverage programme.

The current exchange takes place within the Partners for International Business (PIB) – Greater Bangkok programme, which connects Dutch expertise with Thai ambitions for climate-resilient and water-secure development. Rather than a standalone meeting, the Knowledge Week forms part of a broader trajectory aimed at strengthening integrated water management through sustained cooperation at policy and operational levels.

From silos to systems

A central theme of the exchange was the shift from isolated, project-based solutions towards a more systematic approach. Dutch experience shows how water management can be embedded in integral planning that connects infrastructure to wider societal objectives such as liveability, biodiversity and climate resilience.

For Mrs. Patcharawee Suwannik, Deputy Secretary General of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), the meeting underscored the importance of this integrated perspective. “Addressing our climate and water challenges requires an integrated and adaptive approach. This visit and related activities have provided an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of climate resilience and adaptive water management.”

Delegate member Professor Dr. Witaya Wannasuphoprasit from Chulalongkorn University highlighted that effective water management must address the entire system: “We need to reinforce the core – restoring forests and catchment areas upstream, managing peak flows midstream and strengthening resilience downstream in response to sea-level rise and sedimentation.”

Water management in practice

Over five days, the Knowledge Week combined seminars, workshops and site visits. From innovative urban water solutions in Rotterdam and a cruise through Amsterdam’s historic canals to visits to the iconic Maeslantkering and the windswept Sand Motor, the programme provided a broad perspective on Dutch water management. The exchange covered themes ranging from river basin strategies and flood protection to smart agriculture, urban resilience and financing frameworks. It demonstrated how technical solutions are connected to long-term spatial development.

In Thailand, long-term climate adaptation and integrated water planning are gaining increased attention. “At the national level, the Office of the National Water Resources is implementing the 20-Year Master Plan on Water Resources Management,” shared Mrs. Suwannik, “These challenges cannot be addressed by any country alone. Strong international cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable water management.”

The delegation was particularly impressed by the Dutch system-wide approach to data and coordination. “Water does not recognise administrative boundaries,” noted Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, “so having one command centre that provides the same information to everyone allows local authorities to make decisions more efficiently.”

Flood and salinity control formed another important focus. Managing sea level rise and maintaining sufficient river discharge, while preserving water and ecosystems requires constant trade-offs, an area where Dutch long-term operational and maintenance experience offers valuable lessons. “The challenge of balancing flood protection and salinity control is increasingly relevant for both our countries,” shares Marc Walraven, Senior Advisor Storm Surge Barriers at Rijkswaterstaat, the executive organisation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, during one of the seminars. “By learning from each other’s experience, we can strengthen our approaches for the future.”

Bangkok faces increasing pressure from rapid growth and increasing extreme rainfall. In Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the delegation saw how water is integrated into urban design rather than treated as a separate technical system. “What impressed us most is how thoughtfully the cities are organised to live with water,” Mrs. Suwannik noted, “The practical integration of water, urban planning and climate resilience has been truly inspiring.”

The Knowledge Week programme also addressed financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships (PPP), water bonds, tokens and insurance, underlining that resilient water systems depend not only on infrastructure, but also on governance, investment and institutional capacity. Dr Royboon Rassameethes, Director General of the Hydro Informatics Institute (HII), rightly noted that a fourth ‘P’ should be added to PPP: the ‘P’ of people. Showing the importance of including community.

Mutual learning

The exchange highlighted opportunities for mutual learning. While the Netherlands is known for long-term spatial planning, the city of Bangkok demonstrates how pragmatic interventions can complement structural strategies.

The Netherlands can learn valuable lessons from Thailand’s experience in water management, particularly from dealing with large-scale challenges in a megacity like Bangkok. Dutch cities are increasingly confronted with so-called “rain bombs” – short, extreme downpours that overwhelm urban drainage systems. Thailand’s experience managing high river discharges during intense rainfall, combined with the added pressure of sea level rise that complicates water discharge into the sea, demonstrates how to cope with water challenges on a much larger magnitude. Adapting to such extremes requires flexibility, integrated planning and strong community resilience — approaches which Dutch cities can benefit from as they prepare for future climate-related water challenges.

“We often think in terms of large-scale projects, but there are many low-hanging fruits,” said Governor Sittipunt. “In Bangkok, we have identified small unused private plots of land – sometimes no bigger than a room – and transformed them into green public spaces by offering tax exemptions for public use.”

Joint lessons for resilient water management

During the concluding fishbowl session, the Thai delegation and Dutch partners reflected on the main insights of the week. A shared understanding emerged that effective water management begins with local knowledge. When communities are actively involved in collecting and interpreting data, ownership and long-term commitment increases. There is no universal blueprint; local context must always guide solutions.

Participants also stressed that data only creates impact when it is understood and translated into actionable insights. Technology and modelling are essential, but they must empower people at the local level to make informed decisions. Communication emerged as a strategic success factor: sustainable change depends on trust, dialogue and a progression from awareness to action.

The discussion further highlighted the importance of combining bottom-up initiatives with top-down frameworks. Collaboration between communities, governments and knowledge institutions enables both relevance and scalability. Nature-based solutions were seen as most effective when linked to socio-economic goals such as food security and biodiversity. Ultimately, a shift from ‘fighting water’ to ‘living with water’ requires long-term vision, adaptive planning and concrete action starting today.

Towards sustained cooperation

Throughout the programme, exchanges moved beyond technical solutions to governance, financing and long-term resilience. It reflected the shared understanding that integrated water management cannot be addressed by a single actor alone.

“This visit has been very helpful. Seeing projects on the ground gives us real insight,” said Governor Sittipunt, “Dutch companies are already supporting Bangkok in addressing our water challenges and we see strong potential to expand that cooperation.”

Moving forward, both countries aim to deepen collaboration through joint projects and capacity-building activities. By combining Dutch expertise with Thailand’s practical experience, cooperation can strengthen resilient water systems in both countries.

From 26 to 27 January 2026, a delegation from the Government of the Netherlands took part in the high-level preparatory meeting for the United Nations (UN) Water Conference, held in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting brought together governments, UN entities and key stakeholders to assess progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – clean water and sanitation for all – and to set the course towards the official 2026 UN Water Conference later this year from 2 to 4 December in Abu Dhabi. The Netherlands participated to help shape the agenda, strengthen existing commitments and contribute to the global water dialogue.

The Dutch delegation was led by the Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Meike van Ginneken and included representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Progress on SDG 6 demands urgency

Despite growing political attention, progress on SDG 6 remains off track. During the meeting in Dakar it was re-emphasised that the world is lagging behind on the implementation of SDG 6. This sense of urgency was reinforced by the GLAAS report, launched during the preparatory meeting. Developed by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF and partly financed by the Government of the Netherlands, the report highlights persistent gaps in drinking water, sanitation and hygiene systems worldwide.

Senegal’s role as co-host and leader on water diplomacy

The UN Water Conference 2026 will be co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the conference itself taking place in the UAE. Senegal’s decision to co-host the preparatory meeting and the Water Conference aligns with its broader engagement in international water diplomacy. Water and sanitation are recognised as foundations for economic and social development and the country is increasingly seen as a leader in this field.

In recent years, Senegal has prioritised water diplomacy by hosting major international water events – including the World Water Forum in 2022 – and aligning itself with global initiatives that elevate water on the political agenda. Notably, Senegal’s joined the Heads of State Initiative for Water and Sanitation, which was co-initiated by the Government of the Netherlands during the previous UN Water Conference. The initiative brings water to the highest political level by formalising commitments that countries also prioritise nationally. Co-hosting the UN Water Conference reflects Senegal’s political commitment and international ambition.

“The government of the Netherlands welcomes that Senegal and the UAE are continuing the inclusive, cross-sectoral and action-oriented approach we took in 2023 together with former co-host Tajikistan. At the same time, we must recognise that our role is different now than it was in 2023 and that Senegal and UAE are in the lead to shape the 2026 UN Water Conference.” – Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

Setting the framework for 2026

Preparatory meetings, such as the one in Senegal, play both a formal and substantive role within the UN system. They are embedded in a modalities resolution that defines how a UN conference will be organised. The preparatory meeting in Dakar effectively marked the kick-off of the year leading up to the conference in the UAE in December and set the framework for how this process will unfold.

One of the most anticipated moments was the announcement of the co-chairs for the six interactive dialogues that form the backbone of the UN Water Conference. These interactive dialogues are where the substance is developed. Each dialogue is co-chaired by two Member States. Together, they guide the conversation throughout the year and help determine which concrete outcomes can be achieved during the official 2026 Water Conference.

This year’s interactive dialogues focus on six themes: Water for People, Water for Prosperity, Water for the Planet, Water for Cooperation, Water in Multilateral Processes and Investments for Water.

The Netherlands’ positioning in Dakar

Having played a major role as co-host of the 2023 UN Water Conference, the Government of the Netherlands has chosen a different form of engagement, while continuing to contribute at the substantive level.

That active involvement was clearly visible in Dakar. Water Envoy, Meike van Ginneken moderated a high-level panel discussion during the conference’s opening ceremony. She also contributed to a side event on capacity building, organised with IHE Delft and delivered an intervention during Interactive Dialogue C on ‘Water for Planet’ – one of the key themes for the Government of the Netherlands.

In addition, the Ms van Ginneken participated as a panellist in Interactive Dialogue E on ‘Multilateral Processes’ and was actively involved in the side event, ‘Water at the Heart of Climate Action’. Alongside these contributions, the Netherlands participated in several side events and hosted a high-level Dutch reception on the eve of the conference, bringing together governments, UN organisations, civil society organisations and many other Dutch and international partners.

“The Netherlands has a strong global reputation in the field of water. It is important to demonstrate continued commitment as a trusted partner in international water cooperation,” – Dutch Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

Building on existing commitments

The UN Water Conference and its preparatory meeting are not about negotiated treaties, rather about voluntary commitments and collective momentum. In that context, the Government of the Netherlands focuses on building initiatives and actions that are gaining traction and can be strengthened over time.

One such initiative is the Dutch-led commitment ‘Water at the Heart of Climate Action’. This programme focuses on strengthening cooperation between meteorological services and ensuring that data and early warning information translates into concrete action on the ground to enhance the resilience of local communities. During the preparatory meeting, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a dedicated side event together with the International Federation of Red Cross to showcase the initiative and bring partners together. Retno Marsudi, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water, delivered the opening speech, drawing on her personal experience of flooding in Indonesia. She underlined: “Climate impacts are lived through water – and early, coordinated action matters.”

The moment marked a concrete step forward as Italy announced its decision to join the initiative as a donor, committing €5 million. The Netherlands matched this with an additional contribution of €5 million, reinforcing the ambition to expand the partnership and its reach in the coming years.

The meeting in Dakar also marked an important moment for Aqua4All. This international partnership is supported by the Netherlands through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mobilise private finance for water. During the Dutch reception, it was formally announced that the collaboration with Aqua4All will be extended, entering a new phase of the partnership.

The new phase focuses on scaling up the Making Water Count programme, backed by a €40 million commitment from the Netherlands for the period 2026 to 2029. The programme aims to improve access to drinking water and sanitation services for 11.5 million people, while mobilising up to €350 million in additional investments. This underlines the Netherlands’ continued commitment to using public funds to unlock private investment for water solutions.

From global agreements to practical impact

Although UN processes can appear removed from daily practice, they have practical relevance for the Dutch water sector, as global agreements set the direction and influence national policies. They shape where investments go and which themes gain momentum.

The UN commitment on Early Warning for All is a clear example. Once that goal was agreed at the UN level in 2022, it generated investments and demand for expertise. That has direct implications for organisations working on data, modelling and implementation.

Similar dynamics could emerge around the five global accelerators identified by the UN as critical to achieving the water-related SDGs by 2030. These accelerators highlight areas where additional effort is needed to fast-track progress, including water and climate action, data exchange, financing models, innovation and governance and capacity building – all areas in which Dutch expertise is internationally recognised.

Looking ahead to 2026

The preparatory conference in Dakar was widely regarded as successful, marked by a strong sense of energy and willingness to contribute. That momentum is essential for achieving meaningful outcomes at the UN Water Conference later this year.

“The Dakar Conference showed how the 2023 UN Water Conference has led to concrete action and results – from local actions to larger water initiatives at the European Union (EWRS), the African Union and the World Bank. We need to show results – real impact on the ground – and tell the story of how global gatherings like this translate into action,” Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

Looking ahead, the focus now lies on translating that energy into clear and concrete commitments in December. At the same time, there is a shared recognition that efforts should extend beyond a single conference, ensuring that water remains high on the political agenda through continued dialogues and follow-up within the UN system.

For centuries, batik has shaped the cultural identity and livelihoods of communities in Pekalongan, Indonesia. Yet today, the craft sits at the centre of one of the country’s most pressing water management challenges. With support from Partners for Water, Dutch and Indonesian partners are testing ways to make this heritage industry socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. Project leader Carrina Lim (The Water Agency) and technical lead Guido van Hofwegen (Resilience BV) share their ambition: building a model that batik makers can run themselves – and that can be scaled across Indonesia.

When the river turns black

In Pekalongan, the challenges are acute. Large volumes of untreated wastewater from dyeing processes, heavy use of chemicals, and extensive groundwater extraction are threatening the environment and livelihoods of the local communities.

“During parts of the year, the river literally turns black,” says Carrina. “It becomes too polluted to treat. The city can no longer use its own surface water.” With surface water unusable, batik workshops turn to groundwater. This accelerates water scarcity, land subsidence, salt intrusion and, eventually, the displacement of local communities, as the land becomes unliveable.

“The problem is not only environmental. It is also cultural and economic,” says Carrina. “Batik is part of our heritage, traditionally passed down from mothers to daughters over generations. Yet now the very practice is threatening the environment it depends on. Young people look at this sector and think: why stay? It feels like a doomsday scenario.”

The Green Batik Pekalongan pilot

The two-year Green Batik Pekalongan pilot aims to address the water pollution and availability challenges in Indonesia’s batik sector. It originated from work that Carrina and her team began in 2022, when they first explored Dutch and international solutions for Pekalongan’s wastewater challenges. “We realised quickly how sensitive the topic was,” she says. “You cannot parachute in with a solution – you need to understand the craft, the community, and the constraints first.” By engaging local entrepreneurs, universities, the government and residents, the team continued exploring both technical options and a new business model.

As the concept took shape, The Water Agency brought together a wider coalition to co-design the pilot. The Water Agency leads strategy and community engagement; Resilience BV oversees on-site engineering; Saxion University and Rietland contribute filtration and wetland expertise; and Universitas Pekalongan (UNIKAL) anchors the project locally as the future Green Batik Centre.

Building trust through collaboration

“When we first began discussing wastewater treatment with local producers, it wasn’t a welcome conversation,” Carrina recalls. “People know wastewater is an issue, but they don’t know where to start – and they fear the cost and the risk of changing.” Rather than pushing a problem narrative, the consortium reframed the challenge as an opportunity.

“We asked: what if the first ‘Green Batik’ comes from Pekalongan? Would you like to work with us on that?” Carrina explains. “That made people excited. It became a shared discussion, a shared journey. From that point on, we could begin talking about water as one of the obstacles standing in the way.”

“Currently we are working with four batik entrepreneurs,” Guido adds. “Eventually the pilot aims to work with ten.” These first four workshops – now known as Batik Champions – co-design, host testing and demonstrate the new systems. “They are deeply involved and genuinely collaborative,” he says. Carrina agrees: “This shift from compliance to ownership is essential. Our problems are also their problems. Our successes are also theirs. It’s the foundation of trust.”

Shells and air bubbles

At its core, the solution is deliberately simple. “We created a ‘wetland-in-a-tank’ concept using technical knowledge from our consortium partner Rietland,” Guido explains. “It functions like an artificial wetland, where bacteria living on the filter material break down the wax used in the dying process, dye residues and even faeces.”

Most components are locally sourced, reused waste products. “We fill second-hand tanks with waste seashells from restaurants,” Guido says. “They have a huge surface area for bacteria to live on.” With aeration from small pumps, the process becomes remarkably effective. According to Guido, the water is now around 90% cleaner than before treatment. “It goes from pitch black to almost transparent – cleaner than tea,” he says. “We’re still working on the final ten percent.”

“Ultimately, the goal is to make the system circular,” Carrina adds. “This way, the treated water could be reused in parts of the batik process, reducing groundwater use and closing the loop within each workshop”.

The team refines the system through trial and error. “Early on, insufficient oxygen supply caused the bacteria to die and clog the system,” Guido says. In another case, a workshop’s self-built masonry tank collapsed under its own weight. “The shells filled half the workspace,” Carrina recalls. Yet these setbacks strengthened cooperation. “Everything we do, we’re figuring out together with the entrepreneurs,” she says.

New opportunities

The project also invests in the next generation. Through a collaboration with the Dutch football association’s KNVB WorldCoaches programme, young people learn leadership and environmental awareness by linking sport to sustainable batik. “They learn responsibility – for themselves, for others and for their environment,” Carrina says.
The Dutch Embassy in Jakarta has further expanded opportunities through a Green Batik Design Challenge. “It shows that going green doesn’t only require extra effort,” Carrina explains. “It opens doors: new networks, new markets, new visibility. This is inspiring for local entrepreneurs.”

Looking ahead

The coming year will focus on technical refinement, cost optimisation and replication. The economic model is equally critical. “We are disrupting business-as-usual,” Carrina says. “Once we have a business model, we can begin talking to interested parties to scale up the solution.”

If successful, Pekalongan’s model could inspire sustainable batik production across Indonesia. For Guido, the clearest sign of success is market adoption: “If one workshop outside the project decides to buy the system, that’s when we know we’ve really achieved something.”

For more than a decade, the Dutch Training and Exposure Programme (DUTEP) has connected Indonesia and the Netherlands through its annual capacity building initiative in the water sector. Empowering a new generation of Indonesian water professionals, this past year demonstrated the programme’s growing momentum, strengthened through expanding partnerships and deepening collaborations across urban and national networks. 

A Public–Private Partnership Driving Impact

DUTEP is implemented through a dynamic public-private consortium of Dutch and Indonesian partners, including the City of Rotterdam, Van Oord, NX Filtration, Delfland Water Board, Deltares, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Nuffic Southeast Asia. In 2025, Boskalis made an in-kind contributed to the programme by hosting a closing ceremony at their training facilities in Papendrecht (The Netherlands), where DUTEP participants pitched their innovative research outcomes. This public-private partnership is made possible through the financial backing of supported RVO-Partners for Water and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

On the Indonesian side, the Jakarta City Government (DKI Jakarta) and the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) participated in this year’s programme. OIKN’s involvement aligns with its commitment to the “sponge city” concept, promoting sustainable water resource management in Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital. The ADB supported this initiative by funding the participation of two young civil servants from OIKN, demonstrating its broader engagement in the development of the new capital. Their specific learning needs were addressed by Deltares, the host organisation, which provided tailored technical expertise in line with their professional development objectives.

DUTEP encourages participants to develop innovative, practical solutions to local water challenges. One example is the Eco Mosque concept winner of the 2019 DUTEP Water Challenge. The initiative focuses on recycling ablution water used before prayer and repurposing it for plant irrigation and cleaning. The project is estimated to save 1,300 litres of water per month.

A more recent example is the development of Taman Gapura Muka Cakung, a new urban park and green public space in Cakung, East Jakarta. Inspired by the ZOHO Rain Letters, a smart rainwater management system in Rotterdam, the park was inaugurated by the Governor of DKI Jakarta in early January 2026.

A Growing Alumni Network

Since its launch in 2014, DUTEP has built a network of over 95 alumni from the Jakarta City Government (DKI Jakarta), the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works (PU) and the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN). Many alumni now hold key positions that strengthen Dutch-Indonesian collaboration in water management. At the same time, the alumni network provides valuable connections for Dutch organisations seeking opportunities in Indonesia.

One example is Cite Aditya, who joined DUTEP in 2015 and conducted research on asset management for the City of Rotterdam. Today, he serves as Head of Development and Environment at the Jakarta City Government.

A year before Cipta joined the programme, Ika Agustin Ningrum began her journey in the first DUTEP cohort with a placement at Delfland Water Board, where she focused on operations and maintenance of flood infrastructure. Today, she leads Jakarta’s Flood Management Department. Discover more about Ika’s DUTEP experience here.

A more recent participant, Mushlih Muharrik from Jakarta’s Development Planning Agency, spent eight weeks in Rotterdam exploring blue-green rooftop farming. This concept demonstrates how Jakarta’s rooftop gardens on school buildings could support healthy canteen programmes and green infrastructure.

A Consortium in Continuous Development

DUTEP’s partners are dedicated to continued knowledge sharing and long-term cooperation. This year, the consortium welcomed NX Filtration, bringing valuable expertise in innovative membrane solutions and advanced treatment technologies. This has enabled DUTEP to delve deeper into the theme of access to piped clean water, a topic of increasing urgency in Indonesia’s urban context.

“We valued the mutual knowledge exchange created by hosting a young civil servant from the Regional Development Planning Agency of DKI Jakarta, whose research internship focused on accelerating alternative water sources to improve access to clean water, closely aligning with our goals.”
— Joris de Grooth, R&D Director at NX Filtration

Despite being at different stages of urban development, Jakarta, Nusantara and Rotterdam share common challenges related to water management and climate change. This commonality creates opportunities for collaboration highlighting DUTEP’s continued importance as a meaningful platform for dialogue and mutual learning between Indonesia and the Netherlands.

Looking Ahead

As DUTEP continues to evolve, the programme is increasingly positioned as a strategic and annual capacity-building initiative within the broader framework of Dutch–Indonesian cooperation in the water sector. Beyond its current scope, the programme has the potential for expansion to other regions in Indonesia, such as Semarang and possibly to other Southeast Asian countries. At the same time, DUTEP offers clear opportunities for strategic scaling across key Indonesia and Dutch partners.

With its adaptable programme design, strong public–private consortium and growing alumni network, DUTEP is well placed to serve as a flagship programme for developing future-ready water professionals and fostering long-term partnerships between Indonesia and the Netherlands. By blending public and private financing streams, DUTEP continues to set a benchmark for collaborative models that deliver innovative and sustainable water solutions for the future.

For more information about DUTEP please contact Charlotte Troost, the Project Development & Support Officer at Nuffic Southeast Asia.

In Sidoarjo, Indonesia, the Farmer Field and Forest Schools (FFFS) programme is demonstrating how nature-based solutions can strengthen sustainable aquaculture and coastal resilience. The initiative brings together local government bodies, private sector partners and Blue Forests to support fish farmers in adopting environmentally sound practices. Through hands-on, participatory learning, farmers have developed practical skills in pond water and soil management, mangrove integration and organic aquaculture methods.

Despite challenges such as shrimp disease outbreaks and tidal flooding, participating farmers showed strong resilience and motivation. Many are already applying their new knowledge to improve water quality and productivity, and several have expressed interest in continuing with future FFFS cycles. The programme builds on EcoShape’s scoping recommendations, lessons learned from the successful FFFS implementation in Demak, and ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders. In doing so, Sidoarjo is paving the way for wider replication and scaling of the FFFS approach.

More information on EcoShape’s scoping recommendations can be found in the following report. 

Local authorities are now exploring how insights from the FFFS can be integrated into new coastal field schools, with interest in expanding the initiative to additional sub-districts. A key factor behind this progress has been the dedicat

On 4 November, Partners for Water convened Bangladeshi and Dutch partners in The Hague with two clear purposes: Identify opportunities and challenges for PPP in the water sector and make asset management the everyday operating system for water infrastructure in Bangladesh. The day was opened by Neeltje Kielen, Delegated Representative for Water in Bangladesh (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands/RVO), and coordinated on the Dutch side by Michiel Slotema, Bangladesh Programme Advisor at Partners for Water (RVO). It moved from a morning of PPP scene-setting, pitches and a frank fishbowl discussion on early-stage risks to an early-afternoon milestone: a Strategic Partnership Arrangement (SPA) on Asset Management between Bangladesh’s Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Asset management as an operating system: Bangladesh and the Netherlands set the rules of the game.

Why this matters now

Bangladesh, until now a low-income country, will reach middle-income status in 2026. On current trajectories, it is expected to be the world’s 20th-largest economy by 2038 – a transition that raises the bar for infrastructure performance and financing. However, Bangladesh faces fiscal constraints, making it difficult to fund necessary infrastructure projects solely through public budgets. PPPs enable the leveraging of private capital to build critical infrastructure without immediately adding to the country’s debt burden. At the same time, this densely populated delta country is juggling climate extremes, upstream river dynamics, and fast urban and economic change. Too often, water assets fall into a build–neglect–rebuild (BNR) loop. Breaking it takes clear decision rules, reliable Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding, data that drive choices, and governance that links national strategy to field results.

The day at a glance

• Morning – Opening & Embassy framing. Welcome by Neeltje Kielen. The embassy keynote highlights the urgency to take action and the potential opportunities.
• Late morning – PPP pitches + fishbowl. Three targeted pitches followed by a candid discussion on first-mile finance and risk.
• Lunch – Networking break.
• Early afternoon – Milestone. Signing of the SPA MoU to institutionalise asset management (MoWR–BWDB–RVO).
• Mid-afternoon – Scan & roadmap. Maturity assessment and plan for practical change within BWDB.
• Late afternoon – Incentives, governance, and the Official Development Assistance horizon. System fixes, inclusion, and how to sustain progress beyond concessional aid.

“We want partnerships and investment”

Fahim Faisal highlighted how PPP opportunities in wastewater, solid waste and sludge-to-value can advance only when early-stage risks are shared, data and feasibility are realistic, and Dutch and Bangladeshi partners jointly build pipelines rather than one-off projects. This was followed by Hasan Abdullah Towhid, Counsellor and Head of Chancery, Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague, who highlighted both the urgency to take action and the potential opportunities. He underlined climate exposure and paired it with a practical request: technology transfer, knowledge-sharing, and investment via PPPs rather than traditional aid:

“We don’t want more aid… we want technology transfer, knowledge sharing, best practices and investment in terms of profit and public-private partnership.”

With a young workforce and strong engineering talent, his message was simple: the window for value-creating partnerships is now!

Three pitches: practical PPP pathways

Three short pitches highlighted PPP opportunities.

Royal HaskoningDHV – lessons from engagement in PPP and long-term presence in Bangladesh. The team explored how to turn the question of ‘what next’ after treatment into creating value by reusing effluent and sludge with real off-takers. Project Manager Sheila Carvalho explained: “Our project focuses on two components: the feasibility of wastewater post-treatment for Chattogram, and viable reuse of effluent and sludge.”

SNV – PPP in Cumilla and work on small PPPs. SNV standardises bite-size, multi-year PPP contracts (often around 10-year lease/management models) with Integrated Municipal Information System (IMIS)-backed tracking so capacity comes first, scale second. Ismène Stalpers, Country Director Bangladesh explained: “We realised very quickly we needed to start at the ground level.”

SweepSmart – PPP in waste and drainage management. SweepSmart pairs drainage upgrades with mixed-waste processing to recover materials and generate Refuse-Derived Fuel revenues. Founder Niels van den Hoek: “Financial viability is concern number one, two and three.”

Fishbowl: the “first-mile” financing gap

The fishbowl discussion soon narrowed to the same hard edge: early-stage risk.

Don Offermans, an independent advisor who has watched plenty of deals wobble, put it bluntly: “You can take four steps successfully and fail on the fifth – and lose all your money.” Léon Weisscher from Invest International drew the line where their capital really starts to move: “Pre-feasibility is often too early for us. We typically fund full feasibility when there’s a clear line of sight to implementation… Development accelerators and export solutions can help, as long as there’s Dutch content.”

Developers can’t build up their Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) capacity for just one small project as they need portfolios, not one-off jobs. How can they work around this? By teaming up across Europe, for example via a Dutch-Danish consortia to satisfy content rules, while plugging capability gaps, and stacking revenue levers where possible: carbon credits on one side, municipal co-finance on the other.

By the end, there was a simple, unanimous core message: spread the first-mile risk between public and private, build pipelines instead of projects, and weave in local finance from day one.

The big moment: a milestone MoU

After lunch, it was time for the day’s milestone: the signing of a new Strategic Partnership Arrangement (SPA) on Asset Management between the Ministry of Water Resources, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The SPA MoU structures cooperation at three levels: implementation (participatory in-polder water management), institution (BWDB’s shift from reactive O&M to proactive asset management), and policy (alignment with the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, including steps toward more predictable O&M financing).

Joining from Dhaka, Dr Robin Biswas (BWDB) signed online while Michiel Slotema (RVO/Partners for Water) signed in the conference room. Dr Biswas, an experienced river management specialist and long-time advocate of participatory water governance, called it “a very good moment,” signalling a move “from a reactive to a proactive approach.” He also stated the constraint plainly: “This year, the O&M budget requirement was 130 billion Taka (€915M), but the allocation was only 10 billion Taka (€70M). He explained that most of that is spent on emergency works.” On the cultural hurdle, he added: “It’s the tragedy of the commons – everyone benefits from water, but no one takes responsibility for operation and maintenance.”

The SPA MoU also matters beyond the signatures: it codifies roles, decision rules and funding pathways so that asset management becomes business as usual rather than an add-on – linking day-to-day maintenance, data and budgets to the outcomes the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 demands.

From scan to roadmap: what needs to change within BWDB

Asset management specialist Dr Hala Alhamed presented a structured maturity self-assessment (adapted from the International Infrastructure Management Manual and tailored to BWDB). Ten fields – from strategy and service levels to data, finance, risk and governance – were rated and distilled into various initiatives.

This is what the self-assessment revealed:

• Decisions are not tied to outcomes; priorities change.
• Budgeting is centralised and lacking evidence; it slows routine O&M.
• The organisation is engineering-strong but weak in finance, data, and process capabilities.
• Data exists but it isn’t embedded in approvals, procurement and planning.
• The problem can’t be solved by raising user fees. First, get the management and data right; then talk about fees.

What the roadmap proposes:

• Create an outcome-based decision framework linking O&M/capex to clear criteria.
• Embed asset management in workflows; clarify HQ-district roles; cut approval lag.
• Treat the AM plan as a project; evolve to a single “source of truth” for assets/data.
• Put together a multidisciplinary core team (engineers + finance + analytics + process).
• Start where ownership exists, learn fast, then scale.

Incentives make the system move; governance keeps it honest

Rubaiyath Sarwar (Innovation Consulting) mapped demand, supply, support services and rules (formal and informal) around embankments, gates, dredging, monitoring and maintenance. Two points stood out: money shapes behaviour, and longevity must be rewarded.

On governance and inclusion, Pim de Beer (IOB) reflected on Dutch policy evaluations: upfront system analysis is often missing; designs follow policy templates more than system needs; the sustainability of results is rarely monitored post-project.

Hero Heering (MetaMeta) argued for water management “for a purpose”: pair infrastructure with agricultural value so that users have a reason to maintain it. Set up decentralized emergency O&M funds with clear triggers to stop small issues becoming failures while central budgets move.

Melvin van der Veen (Both ENDS) put power back in the picture: “This is about governance: who is involved in decision-making?” He cited Tidal River Management (TRM) with UTTARAN and the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), where communities and local government co-designed a basin plan which engineers modelled and iterated – along with compensation for landless people during TRM cycles.

These were the connecting themes throughout discussions:

• Make inter-agency collaboration (BWDB, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and others, routine.
• Work at hydrological scales where possible.
• Honour O&M agreements so that community routines are matched by timely government action on larger works.

Five concrete next moves

1. Use the decision framework in the next budget cycle; publish criteria tied to outcomes and document trade-offs for Planning and Finance.
2. Pilot two emergency O&M facilities in selected polders with clear triggers, caps and reporting.
3. Mandate a core asset team (engineers + finance + data + process) to simplify, standardise and drive adoption.
4. Wire one data tool into one approval (e.g., procurement must reference the asset register) and retire parallel spreadsheets.
5. Prototype a longevity incentive: recognize teams and projects that extend asset life beyond design.

These moves are small on their own but together they can change daily decisions.

Looking past Official Development Assistance (ODA)

As Bangladesh advances toward middle-income status, concessional aid will taper. Safeguards proposed by participants: a light-touch TA tail so institutions keep learning after projects close; bridging mechanisms (revolving or outcome-based where appropriate) that carry O&M improvements beyond project timelines; training at scale (e.g. with World Water Academy) to professionalise asset management across agencies; and system monitoring that outlives programmes (fault response times, maintenance cycles, service levels – not just project KPIs).

What Partners for Water can uniquely add

Four roles crystallised:

• Convene (ministries, BWDB, local government, civil society, financiers, Dutch and EU expertise).
• Sequence (scan → roadmap → pilots → scale) to fit institutions.
• Codify what works (model MoUs, WMO agreements, decision framework, simple templates.
• Connect Dutch and EU capability with Bangladeshi ownership so portfolios rather than pilots emerge.

Closing note

The SPA MoU gave the afternoon its milestone. The scan, roadmap, as well as the finance and governance debates gave it direction. In Dr Robin’s words, be “proactive.” In Rubaiyath Sarwar’s, “reward infrastructure that lasts.” Put together, they create a practical recipe to make the build–neglect–rebuild cycle the exception, not the norm, one budget cycle and one maintenance round at a time.

Audience questions and attendees’ ‘homework’ tips and ideas for the moderators kept the debate going through the well-catered end-of-day reception.

Read more about initiatives to break the BNR cycle in Bangladesh here.

Salinity threatens agricultural productivity and water security worldwide. In response, the Dutch organisation The Salt Doctors, together with consortium partners Delphy and Plug ‘n’ Grow, is piloting a practical and scalable solution in Egypt’s Nile Delta. Supported by Partners for Water, the team has been testing low-cost hydroponic systems that allow farmers to grow crops even when soil and groundwater are too saline for traditional cultivation. Bas Bruning from The Salt Doctors shares the ins and outs of the ProSal-Hydro project.

A simple idea for a complex challenge

In Egypt’s Nile Delta, around 40% of farmland is severely affected by salinity. Rising sea levels, inefficient irrigation, and poor drainage is gradually turning soils more saline. “People directly affected by salinity are often small-scale farmers,” explains Bas Bruning, Saline Agriculture Specialist at The Salt Doctors. “They work on marginal land, often with poor soil quality and saline water. On top of that, they often have few resources to adapt. To accommodate them, we wanted to design something that is simple, robust and affordable.”

The project’s approach bypasses saline soils entirely: crops grow in nutrient-rich water rather than in the ground. “We developed an open hydroponic system that grows vegetables in floating trays. It can be used in the harsh conditions of the warm and saline Nile Delta,” says Bruning. “By keeping the design minimal we can ensure it works even in remote areas. And to make it affordable, we use locally available materials wherever possible.”

On top of that, the system uses around 80% less water compared to conventional irrigation. Bruning explains: “Water loss through evaporation is almost eliminated because the surface is fully covered by floating trays. Plants still transpire, but the absence of open water drastically reduces overall water use.”

At five pilot sites across the delta region, the team has now succeeded in cultivating vegetables year-round. “Initially, trials faced predictable challenges,” shares Bruning. “The first crops included pak choi. However, this variety was unfamiliar to local consumers. We soon realised that even the most salt-tolerant crop is useless if no one wants to buy it. So we switched to local lettuce and cabbage varieties that locals already know and that the farmers could sell at the market.”

From scepticism to success

Convincing farmers to experiment with a new growing method took time. For many, the idea of producing vegetables in floating trays rather than soil seemed counterintuitive. “At first, the local farmers didn’t trust our solution. But as results improved, perceptions shifted,” says Bruning.

“Through a combination of technical training, field visits, and peer-to-peer learning, farmers began to see consistent quality and reliable yields.” A real turning point came when they received positive feedback from the market about their hydroponically grown cabbages. “Though smaller in size, they were denser, tastier, and fetched better prices,” says Bruning. “This convinced the farmers that the new cultivation system could be profitable and give their incomes a real boost.”

The project also benefited from collaboration with two Master’s students from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. These students conducted social and technical research on farmer engagement. Their findings confirmed what the field experience showed: alignment between local practices, perceptions and new technology is key to adoption. “It’s not just about the technology,” Bruning emphasises, “it’s also about building trust”.

Technology shaped by experience

“Earlier systems in the Netherlands, Tunisia and Vietnam performed well with brackish water and salt tolerant crops. They demonstrated that this approach can support food production in saline environments. In Egypt, depending on the location, we use brackish or fresh water.”

The system in Egypt has evolved through hands-on experimentation. Early prototypes used different types of pumps, pots and rafts until the team found the right combination. The focus remained on ensuring durability and reducing costs without compromising quality. “Some components – like one key pump – are still imported from the Netherlands to guarantee quality,” says Bruning. “But most parts are now sourced locally.”

“Affordability is our biggest design constraint,” Bruning notes. “We’re still looking for ways to lower the return-on-investment time for smallholders. That means further simplifying the system while maintaining stable performance.”

Scaling salinity solutions

As the project approaches its final stages, the focus turns to consolidating lessons learned and preparing for broader application. The next phase focuses on scaling up – both technically and socially. Two new farmers have already joined the project, and they requested pilot hydroponic systems that were recently added. “In the long run, we hope to see a network of small hydroponic farms across the delta,” Bruning explains. “If we can support a hundred farmers in one area, providing weekly monitoring and training, this will make a promising impact on food security at the local level.

The project has developed a new instructional video for the hydroponics system, featuring footage from our demonstration sites.

An active delta, 140 polders and increasing climate pressures, Bangladesh faces an urgent challenge of maintaining its water infrastructure in a sustainable way. Dr. Robin Biswas of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) is pioneering a shift from reactive maintenance to strategic asset management, a transformation that could shape the country’s water future.

As a river management specialist and long-time advocate for participatory water governance, Dr. Robin brings both technical insight and deep field experience. He is now working to guide BWDB’s transition from reactive operation and maintenance (O&M) towards a proactive and holistic approach: asset management (AM). This shift is not merely technical, it is systemic. For years, infrastructure development has followed a cycle of build–neglect–repair (BNR). A recent Partners for Water root cause analysis found that 90% of BWDB’s O&M budget is spent on emergency repairs, leaving little room for forward-looking budget planning.

“That cycle needs to be broken,” explains Dr. Robin “With limited funds and high demand, emergencies always take priority. But by identifying and protecting critical assets, their lifespan can be extended – delivering more reliable and cost-effective services in the long term.”

Changing needs, changing systems

The case for change is clear. Many polders were built in the 1960s and 70s. While they have provided increased water safety and security over the decades, much of the infrastructure is now aging. Meanwhile, livelihoods within these polders are shifting rapidly – from rice cultivation to shrimp farming, vegetables to cash crops – creating different water management needs. “We need infrastructure that can adapt to these realities,” says Dr. Robin. “People are changing their livelihoods, but our systems were designed for a different time.”

This is where asset management comes in. Through a structured, evidence-based approach, BWDB can make better decisions about where to invest and what to maintain. That means using limited resources more effectively, while extending the lifespan of vital infrastructure. This approach aligns with the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, which highlights the need for adequate funding, strengthened institutional and governance framework and data-driven planning to ensure that infrastructure remains resilient and future-proof.

From pilot to policy: anchoring the transition

With support from the Partners for Water Program, BWDB undertook an organisational maturity scan and is now developing a roadmap to institutionalise asset management. The Asian Development Bank and BWDB are currently considering 5 new polders, with the aim to incorporate elements of the roadmap into these new polders.

This includes integrating AM principles into feasibility studies and project design phases, so that sustainability is embedded from the start. It also means ensuring that AM is not an add-on, but an institutionalised practice, championed from within. “We want this to be a lasting change,” says Dr. Robin. “That’s why we’re engaging not only our engineers, but also local communities, NGOs, knowledge institutes, departments like agriculture and fisheries and policymakers.”

A shift in mindset and governance

Unlike the Netherlands, Bangladesh’s informal economy and limited tax base mean there is no “beneficiary pays” model for water infrastructure. BWDB relies on central government funds. To secure these, it must demonstrate results and that requires effective governance, inter-agency collaboration and meaningful local participation.
“If farmers don’t understand what we’re doing, we can’t expect them to contribute or cooperate,” says Dr. Robin. “That’s why we focus on building capacity at the local level, not just among our staff, but within the community itself.” He envisions simple tools like mobile apps, local indicators and peer benchmarking to increase transparency and engagement: “If people can report issues, track performance and see the impact of their own efforts, they will take ownership.”

Looking ahead

For now, the roadmap is clear:

1. Demonstrate value
2. Build momentum
3. Align with the Bangladesh Delta Plan’s 2100 goal of raising O&M spending to 0.5% of GDP

And most importantly: keep learning, adapting and involving others. “Asset management is a way to make water infrastructure adapt with time, not get lost in it,” Dr. Robin concludes.

Want to know more about the Bangladesh asset management pilot or Partners for Water’s involvement?