Humans of Partners for Water: Novita Andriani

With the Human series, we showcase the people who are involved in and benefit from the Partners for Water projects. The Human series sheds light on the stories of the people with whom and for whom Partners for Water works, and on how water affects their lives. Discover below how water influences the life of Irene Novita Andriani, whose lifelong struggle with frequent flooding has fueled a deep commitment to addressing the region’s water challenges,

In her current role, Novita is spearheading efforts to conserve water resources in areas where this is particularly challenging, such as the Welang river in Java. Her work focuses on ensuring that water quantity, quality, and continuity meet both current and future demands, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable development in one of Indonesia’s most vital regions.

Dutch-Indonesian Water Cooperation

For over fifty years, the Netherlands has been a crucial partner to Indonesia in water management, solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since June 2007. The latest MoU, covering 2022-2026, aims to elevate cooperation to a more strategic level, involving government authorities, public and private sectors, and NGOs from both nations.

Indonesia is one of the seven delta countries engaged in the Partners for Water programme for 2022-2027. Urban water security in parts of Indonesia is compromised by low access to piped water and pollution. Agriculture and poor sanitation further degrade water quality. Java, housing over half the population, faces severe water scarcity, projected to worsen by 2040. Over-exploitation of aquifers leads to subsidence and increased flood risks, especially in Jakarta. Costal cities are also threatened by exacerbate droughts, fires, and sea level rise caused by climate change.

The collaboration with Partners for Water advocates for sustainable and integrated water management through long-term partnerships, utilizing experiences from previous programs. Partners for Water leverages its extensive network, knowledge, and funding to address water security challenges in partner countries. By integrating Dutch and local expertise in sustainable, inclusive, and innovative water management from the early planning stages, the program aims to foster cooperation among government entities, the private sector, NGOs, young professionals, and knowledge institutions.

The program’s priorities include lowland development and irrigation, integrated water management, and the development of capacity, knowledge exchange, and youth engagement.

Exploring opportunities in Indonesia?

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

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