Today, numerous NGOs, governmental organisations, and companies work on solving water issues. While collaboration could be beneficial, they often need to meet first. Therefore, on June 27 in The Hague, we organised our first matchmaking event to strengthen collaboration between consortia planning to apply for subsidies for innovative water projects. The event featured presentations and pitches from recently funded projects under the Partners for Water Subsidy Scheme.

In the invitation, participants could specify what they wanted to learn from others and which topics they could assist with. This led to a diverse and specific list of topics, making matching participants challenging. Some participants could pair one-on-one, while others needed group tables for better interaction.

Finding the right partner

On 27 June, at the partnerships table, participants discussed how hard it can be to maintain worthwhile and lasting partnerships while operating abroad. ‘We make sure to physically meet potential partners abroad to figure out if they’re really trustworthy’, one participant said. Another explained: ‘Dutch embassies can play a role in making assessments like these.’

A participant working in Vietnam explained: ‘We benefit from partnering with a university, because the provinces we work with trust the university. Our partnership with them is the result of contacting the coordination office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’ A participant who is also active in Vietnam explained that hiring a Young Expert Professional (YEP) can also help: ‘This person helps us to understand what the local parties we collaborate with need, she speaks the language and understands the culture.’

Connecting for sustainability: insights from the Nature-based Solutions table

The Nature-based Solutions table was particularly popular, attracting several organisations to the discussion. After brief introductions, it became clear that some participants would benefit from one-on-one conversations. They moved around the table to sit next to each other, exchanging ideas and contacts.

In one of those conversations, a founder of the NGO Feedback Of The Future explained how the organisation uses regenerative practices and collaborative partnerships to foster farming communities in Kenya and East Africa. ‘We rehabilitate landscapes by planting plants, trees, and shrubs to mimic a subtropical food forest. We give farmers technical support, build new soil profiles and look for local solutions. This way we make the farming cycle more sustainable.’

Reflections on a dynamic matchmaking event

With almost 50 participants attending the matchmaking event and chatting animatedly, we hope that everyone can look back on a successful event. We aimed to provide you with more information on the Partners for Water subsidy scheme, as we strive to make the application process easier. Did we succeed or do you have any feedback? Please let us know your thoughts by sending us an email.

Kick off – eight new subsidised projects

The second part of the event was a kick off for eight projects that have recently received financial support through the Partners for Water Subsidy Scheme. A lot of the matchmaking participants stayed to see the presentations of these new projects. It gave them valuable insights into what other organisations are doing and what they aim to achieve with their innovative water project, with the help of a Partners for Water subsidy.

For example, Wouter Lengkeek from BESE Ecosystem Restoration Projects presented his organisation’s project on restoring degraded ecosystems along the coastal zones of the United States. BESE does this by using temporary biodegradable and circular structures crafted from biopolymers, providing a kickstart for restoring organisms in struggling salt marshes, mangroves and shellfish reefs. Erik van der Putte, Project manager at WaterMappers, also gave a presentation about the organisation’s work on mapping underground water resources in India. He explained how WaterMappers helps farmers to increase yields and reduce risks by providing volumetric water budgets through real-time, sensor-based time series modelling. For more information on the projects, check out our website.

Still two remaining subsidy rounds

There are still two remaining subsidy rounds within the Partners for Water programme. If something is still unclear or if you have any questions, please reach out to us by sending us an email. Please schedule a mandatory intake interview  before 15 August. Have you already had your intake interview? Then you’re ready to apply! Apply and find out whether your innovative water pilot of feasibility project will receive a financial boost.

Next matchmaking event!

On 23 January 2025, we will organise another matchmaking event. Stay tuned for more information. We will inform you about this event via our website, newsletter and LinkedIn page.

The Partners for Water subsidy scheme explained

Partners for Water has granted subsidies to 10 Dutch entrepreneurs and research institutions. This is the result of the first round of subsidies under the Partners for Water 5 (2022-2027) programme.

On January 25, the parties met in The Hague and presented the projects for which they received subsidies. In close cooperation with local partners, they will use their innovation power to make a positive contribution to water security in different countries in the coming years. For these feasibility studies and pilot projects, the organisations will work in Eswatini, Ghana (2), Nepal, Suriname, Ecuador, Malawi, Colombia, Kenya, and Mexico. Both returning and new organisations have applied for funding.

The 10 projects

Below you can read about the 10 participating organisations and their innovative pilot projects and feasibility studies on water safety and water security.

Water availability forecaster (Eswatini)
The consortium HydroLogic (the Netherlands), Emanti Management (South Africa), and FutureWater (the Netherlands) will launch a pilot project for the GLOW water availability forecaster. This service will provide water managers with information, warnings, and advice on current and expected water availability and demand. This will support water managers in Eswatini, Mozambique, and South Africa in taking mitigating actions on water availability.

Climate-smart irrigation system (Ghana)
The Technical University of Delft aims to further develop its innovative climate-smart irrigation system through a pilot project. This system provides farmers in Ghana with smart irrigation techniques that are provided with information from local weather stations. Farmers who have used the system so far experience 25% less usage and 15% more harvest.

Precision irrigation systems (Suriname)
Tijms B.V. and Attro Trading Africa aim to provide sustainable solutions for the problems that arise with unhealthy soil conditions. By improving the soil, they want to reduce flooding, drought, and salinization problems, increase crop yields and make the farmland more resilient. To achieve this, they will install solar-powered drip irrigation systems, use integrated farming practices, and transfer knowledge.

Powerful water pump (Nepal)
Together with Himalaya Agro-ecology Research and Development and Agro-Eco Advisors, aQysta B.V. is starting a study on the use of an energy-efficient and powerful water pump to irrigate higher-altitude lands and improve soil quality of Nepalese farmland. Combined with increasing the organic materials on the farmlands, it is expected that participating farmers will use 25% less water and increase their income by 200% within two years.

Flood prediction service (Malawi)
In Malawi, HaskoningDHV is launching a feasibility study on the use of their flood prediction service. This service is designed to be used by governments, aid agencies, and individuals. It allows users to monitor and predict floods in real-time and to receive warnings up to 12 hours in advance. This information will give people more time to evacuate in the event of a flood.

The use of natural groundwater buffers (Colombia)
The Colombian agricultural region Bananera experiences a severe water shortage during the dry season. To improve water security, the option to use underground water wells for storage is being studied by Deltares. During the rainy season, excess fresh water is infiltrated and stored through the wells to be used when a water shortage occurs. The research aims to assess the conditions and risks for storing and recovering fresh water in the subsurface, and to pre-design an Aquifer Storage and Recovery system for one of the local banana farms.

Affordable recirculating aquaculture systems (Kenya)
In Kenya, a consortium of the Wageningen Research, AquaFarmingConsult, EKAS Technologies, FOSPA-Africa, Laikipia University, KMFRI and Nyeri Fish Farmers Cooperative S. (LTD) will conduct a feasibility study for the use of affordable, solar-powered recirculating aquaculture systems (A-RAS) for small-scale fish farmers. This is aimed at reducing the water usage of the fish farmers by up to 90% and increasing their production capacity by 40 times. Not only will this improve the business model of the fish farmers, but it will also improve the food security of the community.

Circular water systems in cities (Mexico)
In Oaxaca de Juarez, the architecture firm Beccan Davila is partnering with Field Factors and the Mexican research institute Centro to conduct a feasibility study for the implementation of BlueBlogs in the city. Combining this innovation with proper urban planning, makes it possible to create a circular water system and add green spaces in the city. Excess rainwater can be stored and filtered in green spaces and used during times of drought.

Monitoring and combating algae (Ecuador)
In Ecuador, LG Sonic B.V. has started a pilot project to tackle the growth of algae in shrimp ponds. To counteract the algae bloom, the water quality will be constantly monitored. The resulting data will be used to predict the algae bloom and to combat the growth of the algae with specific ultrasonic sound waves.

Smart reuse of wastewater (Ghana)
Bureau M2 B.V. is conducting a feasibility study to explore the conversion of wastewater into irrigation water. The wastewater will be filtered through either sand or carbon, and the plant ‘Helofyt’. The resulting organic material will be converted into compost, while the remaining filtered water will be used for irrigation.

Do you want to participate in the next funding round?

There are still two subsidy rounds. Pleaes visit the subsidy scheme webpage for more information.

Partners for Water has granted subsidies to eight consortia aiming to enhance water security abroad with innovative solutions. This is the result of the fourth 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. The organisations that have been granted a subsidy will work in Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Kenya, Taiwan, the United States of America and Zambia.

The 8 subsidised projects

Discover the 8 participating organisations and their innovative pilot projects and feasibility studies on water security below.

PROCAS (Vietnam)

PROCAS aims to enhance water quality, reduce pollution, and establish a sustainable business model by treating wastewater and converting waste streams from cassava processing into valuable resources in Vietnam. The consortium will design and construct a pilot plant to process cassava fruit juice and recover its proteins. This initiative seeks to reduce nitrogen emissions, improve water quality, and promote a circular economy. During the pilot phase, comprehensive on-site tests will be conducted to optimise processes, and an economic analysis will assess the project’s feasibility.

Consortium: Colubris Cleantech, Yenbinh, STAMEX, Meijer Consult

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring with Io(U)T (India)

This project aims to tackle severe water pollution and its monitoring in the Ganga River and key water bodies in Tamil Nadu and Goa, India. It will enable comprehensive water quality monitoring while minimising theft and vandalism risks through a submerged setup. This solution involves Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring (RTWQM) using Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) technology, creating a wireless sensor network for real-time data transmission to a cloud dashboard. Expected outcomes of the project include a robust real-time water quality monitoring network for one year at five key locations, aiming support data-driven environmental management and effective environmental regulations and policies.

Consortium: Planys Technologies and Variya Tech

Tackling fluoride contamination (Kenya)

In Kenya’s Rift Valley, fluoride concentrations in water sources often exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended guidelines by 2 to 6 times. These elevated fluoride levels cause widespread skeletal and dental fluorosis among the local population. This project aims to provide affordable, safe, and clean drinking water at the household level by enhancing the existing Nazava Water Filter, which removes bacteria, with an add-on to effectively remove fluoride. By doing so, the project addresses both bacterial and fluoride contamination simultaneously.

Consortium: Resilience BV, Nazava Water Filters Ltd., Delft University of Technology and Harbauer Ltd. Kenya.

GREENCHEM in Asian Water Treatment (Taiwan)

The GREENCHEM project aims to address challenges in algae-impaired water (AIW) treatment by introducing an innovative green chemical developed by FerrTech, named Fersol©. This sustainable alternative to traditional pre-chlorination enhanced coagulation offers improved water quality, lower treatment costs, reduced environmental impact, and simpler engineering. The project, conducted in Taiwan, will assess the feasibility of Fersol© for algae and algal toxin mitigation in local AIW for drinking purposes. During this feasibility study, the consortium will identify local treatment challenges, estimate improvements, evaluate the project’s strengths and weaknesses, and develop a pilot-scale implementation roadmap.

Consortium: IHE Delft, FERR-Tech, and others.

Restoration of Coastal Ecosystems with BESE-elements (United States of America)

This project addresses the challenges of restoring degraded ecosystems along the United States’ coastal zones by utilising BESE-elements developed by BESE. Their solution consists of a temporary structure crafted from biodegradable biopolymers, designed to provide a kickstart agent for restoring organisms crucial to the health of coastal ecosystems. Over time, these structures gradually degrade, creating space for the renewed ecosystem to flourish. During the pilot phase, the consortium will conduct field trials to determine the solution’s efficacy in restoring oyster reefs and salt marshes. This aims to assess the performance of their innovation and validate it before large-scale application can commence.

Consortium: RB Biobased Institute B.V., Bato Plastics B.V., Stichting NIOZ (Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee), the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida

Real Life Water Budgets for Sustainable Water management (India)

In Bagalkot District, India, 70% of the population depends on agriculture. This district increasingly relies on groundwater extraction for irrigation, leading to rapidly declining groundwater tables. The consortium aims to address this issue by providing volumetric water budgets through real-time, sensor-based, time-series modelling. Watermappers’ level and flow sensors will be installed to monitor critical water resources in real time, with data shared on a real-time dashboard accessible to all participant farmers and the public online. The time-series model will calculate water budget projections, leading to actionable insights for the farmers.

Consortium: Whysor, Kiaar (K.J. Somaiya institute of applied agricultural research), Artesia, Solar Magic, Watermappers

Decentralised Wastewater Treatment (Philippines)

The Cleanblock pilot project addresses the critical challenge of wastewater management in Metro Manila, Philippines. Currently, only 30% of the wastewater is treated, posing severe environmental and health risks. The consortium aims to significantly improve water quality and public health by implementing the Cleanblock trickling filter technology to treat a substantial portion of the untreated wastewater. A former feasibility study has demonstrated promising results, with strong support from local partners eager to test the Cleanblock filters. By fostering ongoing collaborations and knowledge transfer, the project aims to expand the use of this technology across the Philippines, ensuring sustainable water management and environmental protection for the future.

Consortium:  Maynilad, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Portable Solar Pumps for Small-Scale Farmers (Zambia)

Zambia, like many Sub-Saharan countries, experiences long, dry seasons and increasingly unreliable rain patterns, leading to crop losses and food insecurity. Many small-scale farmers have fields near streams or shallow groundwater, and could double their production with efficient water distribution.

New technology offers a solution: a locally assembled, portable solar pump, light enough for daily storage and affordable within one harvest. Jacana will redesign this pump for mass production and develop a sustainable supply chain involving small retailers, large importers, distributors, and NGOs to support small-scale farmers.

Consortium: MetaMeta, Jacana

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 opened in June and will be closed in September 2024. To be eligible, you can apply now for the mandatory intake interview.

No food can be produced without fresh water. Given that our fresh water supply is diminishing, we need to carefully manage our scarce supply in order to achieve a future where nobody goes to bed hungry.

That is why the theme of this year’s World Food Day is ‘Water is life, water is food, leave no one behind.’ Simon van Meijeren, programme advisor at Partners for Water, tells us how two Partner for Water projects in South America reflect this theme.

European countries import fruits and vegetables from countries such as Chile and Peru where water availability is a concern. ‘As a result,  we are basically extending our water demand overseas’, says Simon. ‘This means that efficient water usage over there is also a responsibility for us over here. That is why we support collaborative processes that aim to improve production value chains in countries like Chile and Peru.’

Market transformation process

In Chile, Partners for Water works in the Aconcagua valley together with Dutch and Chilean partners. This valley is a major source of fruits such as avocados, that get imported to the Netherlands. However,  the area experiences droughts and has limited water supply, putting a strain on both production and the local ecosystem.

Simon explains: ‘The first steps taken in this collaborative project consisted of hosting a series of webinars in 2021, bringing together a wide range of parties who were either active in the fruit sector or contributing to sustainability efforts down the value chain. Detailed insights about the valley were gained through a catchment-passport: a document that provides a scientific, specific and clear description of the local water situation and key challenges.’

At the same time, a local network of producers and relevant actors called ‘Red Aconcagua.’ was established. The network develops a strategy for achieving sustainable water supplies in the valley and provides guidance on the first practical steps needed to realise this. ‘We will map the water footprint of various producers and identify ways to reduce it. In addition, a market transformation process will begin bringing together international value chain partners such as large exporters and retailers in order to form a shared vision on Aconcagua and determine the first steps necessary to make the value chain more sustainable. By doing this, we are engaging with both local and international stakeholders on a shared sustainability mission.’ says Simon.

Water stewardship

‘We’re focusing on similar issues in Peru with the Water Stewardship project’, Simon adds. ‘There, a coalition of retailers, traders, governments and social initiatives have come together to make the fruit and vegetable value chain more resilient by, for example, strengthening the catchment’s water cycle, conserving biodiversity, reducing soil runoff and improving community livelihoods.’

These initiatives are incorporated into an overall water stewardship plan for the area. ‘The strength lies in scaling up water solutions together reducing costs that you would incur  if you tried to address water risks in your value chain on your own’, Simon explains.

Collective action

These two projects differ in terms of their approach: ‘In Chile we started from a shared vision’, Simon says. ‘We formed a coalition and gradually built up trust through developing and executing joint plans together. Whereas in Peru, the coalition already existed. We started with a collective action through interventions and  cooperation. This enabled us to build trust in order to develop a shared ambition and a long-term plan. We built the relationship by doing.’

What these projects have in common is their key success factor: involving the whole value chain. ‘To realise lasting positive change, every party of the value chain needs to contribute. From producer, importer, retailer to consumer.’ Simon says

Raising awareness is crucial to achieve this: ‘Ask yourself what part can you take responsibility for. Retailers need to ask for a product which is sustainably produced and consumers must value this by paying a fair price. A producer needs to ask: do I want to generate maximum output in a relatively short time, or do I want to produce less, more sustainably, so that I can continue production twenty years from now? With collective action, things can really change’, concludes Simon.