Search is on for water 'changemakers'

Image: Brooke Cagle

Applications are closing soon for a global award that aims to recognise the people and innovations helping to create a water-secure world.

The Water Changemaker Awards 2023 is a global initiative that rewards leadership and commitment to climate-resilient water investments and showcases innovative solutions that have the potential to be replicated, at scale.

The awards focus on water solutions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including climate resilience; transboundary water cooperation and private sector investment; gender equality and youth empowerment.

The initiative aims to support the most promising climate resilient innovations, and enable them to access new and innovative finance sources from institutional investors, debt, equity, and others from private and public sources. Winners will have the opportunity for special recognition, financial support and help scaling-up their initiatives or innovation.

"Investing in climate-resilient water security can contribute to multiple societal gains, such as human security, gender equality, and food security."

Spokesperson, Water Changemaker Awards

Investment in climate-resilient water security and sanitation yields a US$7 return on investment for every US$1 invested. Investing in a water-secure future now will result in human security, a healthy environment, increased gender equality, health, energy, education, food security, and many other societal benefits for this generation and future generations.

Winners will be considered for the following categories:

  • Global leadership and commitment – special presidential recognition award at a global event
  • Innovation on climate finance for water security: investment, finance, and technical assistance of at least €100,000 for acceleration of innovative business models and preparation for successful scaling up and replication

Organisations can enter the Innovation Changemaker Award if they have been operating for at least one year and seek to scale up on a successful business model. All organisations, entities, and individuals in the private and non-profit sectors are eligible to submit their innovative changemaker initiative.

Innovations can be from anywhere in the world and submissions are accepted in English, French, and Spanish. The top 30 shortlisted applicants will be announced at UN SDG Summit, UN General Assembly (UNGA) New York, USA in September 2023. The final winners will be announced during COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in November.

For more information, visit Global Water Partnership. Entries close on 18 August 2023.