How we work

Our approach

In the vast spectrum of what is referred to as ‘water management’, WWn brings together the resources, people, knowledge and technology that are needed. We provide technical, organisational and legal advice and ensure that processes and products are effective. Our approach is based on equal partnerships. Coaching fellow water operators is at the heart of this, with the intention being to enable others to perform better in this wide field. Together with our partners, we fulfil four roles: that of director (government, water industry, NGOs, politicians), scientist (knowledge institutes), salesman (businesses) and banker (co-financiers). We ensure that the right rules are introduced (and enforced), we provide expertise, manpower and resources, and we assist with design and construction. The budgets for the projects vary from €10,000 to €1,000,000, and the number of WWn staff ranges from 0.3 to 3 FTEs. It goes without saying that WWn publishes transparent reports about the partnerships and its results.
 

The results

This approach has an effect at three levels. At a practical level, the water cycle is made safer, more reliable and more efficient. Awareness of the problems and the necessary change in mentality are given a significant boost as a result: an integrated and sustainable vision becomes embedded in the policies of the organisations involved. This in turn encourages people to help themselves solve their own problems and promotes socially responsible business. At a higher level, public health in the partner countries is improved while the opportunities for economic and social development increase. The approach also contributes to the UN Millennium Development Goals: worldwide agreements to combat starvation and poverty, disease and infant mortality, and to promote education, equality and sustainable development.
 

Our challenge

Almost all our partnerships are small scale and were begun, in some cases decades ago, by Waternet’s predecessors. The fact that they have now evolved into truly integrated and sustainable water projects has been made possible by WWn proving itself down the years as a sound and reliable non-profit partner. But there is still much more that can be done, in both existing and new partnerships. WWn is aiming to optimise current projects and to become active in new countries. Africa in particular is beset by water-related problems. We are looking to see where our contribution is most likely to be effective, and an important condition for that is that we are able to work safely and efficiently.