Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance/UN-Habitat (GWOPA)

🚨 The EU-WOP 2 Call for Proposals is now open! Water and sanitation operators across eligible countries are invited to join a growing movement of peer-to-peer support for stronger public services. Building on the success of its first phase, the second phase of the EU Water Operators’ Partnerships (EU-WOP) Programme will fund and support: 🔹 15–20 new Water Operators’ Partnerships 🔹 The expansion of successful Phase 1 partnerships 🔹 Capacity development anchored in digitalization, investment linkages and human rights 📅 Running until 2030, EU-WOP 2 empowers public utilities to work together to improve performance, strengthen resilience and advance the SDGs. 💡 The portal is now open for registration and information. Submissions of applications will be possible shortly: https://lnkd.in/e3DAVUsf 📄 Learn more about the eligibility, process and funding in the Call for Proposals Package: https://lnkd.in/erapgSZF - a summary is provided in an overview brochure: https://lnkd.in/ekDJDMMp ℹ️ EU-WOP 2 is administered by GWOPA/UN-Habitat and funded by the European Union. More information on the EU-WOP Programme: https://lnkd.in/e4ZmKnQx #WOPs #SDG6 #PeerSupport #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #EUWOP #CallForProposals European Commission UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

🔍 Explore how digital tools are transforming water and sanitation utilities! We’re pleased to invite you to the upcoming WSH Data Labs webinar on MapKit, a powerful GIS-based asset management solution that’s reshaping how utilities manage their infrastructure – from Amsterdam to Nairobi. 📅 Thursday, 17 July 2025 ⏰ 8:00–10:00 GMT | 11:00–13:00 EAT | 9:00–11:00 CET 💻 Microsoft Teams 🔗 Register here https://lnkd.in/eNaM8SGT Moderated by Joost Verbart, Regional Asset Manager, the session features from Rolsch Assetmanagement, Bernard Mwaka, MapKit Implementation Consultant, and Ronald Laverman, Owner and Director. 💡 What to expect: - How Waternet (Amsterdam) uses MapKit to manage services for 1.3M+ people - Integration of field-to-office workflows and real-time data updates - A live demo showing MapKit’s application in Kampala and Nairobi - Insights into its potential for Non-Sewered Sanitation - Learnings from 12+ years of proven success 🗂️ Access the full MapKit learning resource in advance to get the most from the session. 🎤 Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with MapKit developers, utility professionals, and peers from across Africa and Europe. The event is hosted by GWOPA in collaboration with WSH Data Labs, Waternet and the ESAWAS regulators association. 📚 Catch up on past sessions and explore learning materials here: https://lnkd.in/ezCU-2NW 📢 Become a member of the Global WOPs Community: https://bit.ly/3Fm44rJ ➡️ Stay informed: Subscribe to the newsletter: https://lnkd.in/euqD_KV5 #SanitationData #WSHDataLabs #SDG6 #SanitationForAll #WaterForAll

💧 A milestone for Ukraine’s water sector – powered by solidarity Today in Dnipro, UNICEF Ukraine and GWOPA/UN-Habitat kicked off a new initiative to support three water and sanitation utilities through Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) – a peer-to-peer approach that connects utilities to learn from one another and build capacity together. The 2-day introductory workshop (14–15 July 2025) marks the start of this pilot project, bringing together the mentee utilities – Zaporizhzhia City Vodokanal, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Vodokanal, and Kryvyi Rih Vodokanal – with their mentor partners AdP - Águas de Portugal and VEI. Facilitated by GWOPA/UN-Habitat and convened by UNICEF, the event opened space for shared reflection on the challenges faced by Ukrainian utilities – from high levels of non-revenue water to energy inefficiency and infrastructure damage – and how peer partnerships can offer practical support grounded in real-world experience. The workshop opened with remarks from Pablo de Pascual, Chief of UNICEF’s office in Dnipro, and Mariana Voïta, Deputy Head of UN-Habitat’s Country Office in Kyiv, setting a collaborative tone for the days ahead. Guided by Anne Bousquet and Kennedy Kamau, Programme Management Officers at GWOPA/UN-Habitat, the discussions delved into partner roles, shared expectations, and the WOP methodology – laying the groundwork for co-developing short-term action plans tailored to each utility’s priorities. Joining virtually, Nicolas Osbert, UNICEF’s Chief of WASH, underscored the strategic importance of this pilot as a foundation for scaling WOPs across Ukraine. Despite the difficult operating context, including interruptions due to air alerts, the commitment of all participants was evident. With a strong foundation now in place, the partnerships will continue through local collaboration, remote support and exchange visits to Portugal and the Netherlands. This pilot project reflects a shared belief in the value of long-term partnerships and the power of solidarity between operators – working together to strengthen service delivery for all. #SDG6 #WaterForAll #SanitationforAll #WOPs #Ukraine UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) UN-Habitat Ukraine UNICEF Ukraine UNICEF

📢 Are you planning to apply to the EU Water Operators’ Partnerships (EU-WOP) 2 Call for Proposals? Join our upcoming Information Session to get all the details you need to submit a strong application. 🗓️ Tuesday, 22 July 2025 🕑 14:00 – 15:00 CEST (12:00 – 13:00 GMT) 📍 Online – Microsoft Teams Hosted by GWOPA/UN-Habitat, the session will walk you through: ✔️ The EU-WOP Programme and what’s new in Phase 2 ✔️ How to apply – step-by-step ✔️ Tips for developing impactful partnership proposals ✔️ Live Q&A with the GWOPA team Whether you're building on a Phase 1 WOP or starting fresh, this is your chance to connect, learn and prepare. 🌍 Interpretation will be available in French and Spanish. 🔗 More info about the Information session and registration: https://lnkd.in/dbybYtpn 🌐 Learn more about the EU-funded programme: https://lnkd.in/e4ZmKnQx #WOPs #EUWOP #WaterForAll #SDG6 #Utilities #CallForProposals #GWOPA #SanitationForAll European Commission UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

🚨 Call for Expressions of Interest – Sponsorship to Attend the 6th Global WOPs Congress! 🌍💧 Are you a committed water and sanitation professional working in a utility or association in a low- or middle-income country? Do you actively contribute to Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs)? Are you ready to share your experience, learn from peers, and shape the future of utility partnerships? 🟦 Apply now for sponsorship support to attend the 6th Global WOPs Congress! 📅 27–30 October 2025 📍 Bonn, Germany 📝 Deadline: 28 July 2025 Under the theme “Solidarity in Action: Stronger Utilities for Thriving Cities”, the Congress is the premier global gathering of water and sanitation utilities, development partners, and peer support champions. Organized by GWOPA/UN-Habitat and supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany, the event is your opportunity to connect, contribute, and co-create more resilient utilities and cities. 🎯 Limited sponsorship is available for eligible applicants: 🔹 Representatives from utilities and representatives from low- and middle-income countries 🔹 Individuals involved in WOPs or GWOPA Communities of Practice 🔹 Women and youth from GWOPA member organizations 🔹 Confirmed session contributors (speakers, panellists, moderators) 💡 Don’t miss this chance to take part in a dynamic global conversation – and to bring lessons home to strengthen your utility and serve your community better. 📌 More information on the sponsorship Expression of Interest and the application form: https://lnkd.in/dx-Pjs_q 📘 More on the Congress and registration free of charge: https://lnkd.in/ewa9GHFJ Let solidarity lead the way. See you in Bonn! ➡️ Stay updated! Subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/euqD_KV5 #6GlobalWOPs #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #SDG6 #WOPs #Bonn #UNHabitat #GWOPA UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

🚨 The EU-WOP 2 Call for Proposals is now open! Water and sanitation operators across eligible countries are invited to join a growing movement of peer-to-peer support for stronger public services. Building on the success of its first phase, the second phase of the EU Water Operators’ Partnerships (EU-WOP) Programme will fund and support: 🔹 15–20 new Water Operators’ Partnerships 🔹 The expansion of successful Phase 1 partnerships 🔹 Capacity development anchored in digitalization, investment linkages and human rights 📅 Running until 2030, EU-WOP 2 empowers public utilities to work together to improve performance, strengthen resilience and advance the SDGs. 💡 The portal is now open for registration and information. Submissions of applications will be possible shortly: https://lnkd.in/e3DAVUsf 📄 Learn more about the eligibility, process and funding in the Call for Proposals Package: https://lnkd.in/erapgSZF - a summary is provided in an overview brochure: https://lnkd.in/ekDJDMMp ℹ️ EU-WOP 2 is administered by GWOPA/UN-Habitat and funded by the European Union. More information on the EU-WOP Programme: https://lnkd.in/e4ZmKnQx #WOPs #SDG6 #PeerSupport #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #EUWOP #CallForProposals European Commission UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

Empowering the next generation of water leaders through partnership and peer learning 💧🤝 That spirit ran through three enriching days at the Knowledge and Capacity Development Symposium hosted by IHE Delft Institute for Water Education this week. The intergenerational dialogue format stood out — with experienced professionals and young water practitioners exchanging insights, challenges and solutions in a dynamic learning space. GWOPA was pleased to co-curate the Partnerships Track of the Symposium, as part of our 13-year Boosting Effectiveness of WOPs (BEWOP) programme collaboration with IHE Delft. In our session, we explored how Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) are: 🔹 Recognising local innovation – shifting the focus from what is missing to what already works in resource-constrained contexts 🔹 Fostering South–South exchange – enabling peer utilities to grow through shared learning and mutual support 🔹 Scaling impact – as in Odisha 🇮🇳, where an EU-WOP supported women’s self-help groups to manage faecal sludge treatment plants — a model now expanding to 100+ facilities We also highlighted how connecting WOPs to broader water initiatives — such as Nepal’s BEACON project 🇳🇵 — can enhance sustainability and scale. On the margins of the Symposium, GWOPA’s Head Åsa Jonsson had the opportunity to meet H.E. Retno Marsudi, UN Special Envoy for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, to exchange views on how WOPs and public utilities can contribute to the Conference agenda. The upcoming 6th Global WOPs Congress (Bonn, 27-30 October 2025) was noted as a key opportunity for collective input and engagement. 👏 Our thanks to IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, DGIS – Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, WaterAid and VEI for their commitment to advancing capacity, solidarity and peer learning in the water and sanitation sector. 📅 Join us in Bonn for the 6th Global WOPs Congress from 27–30 October 2025! Connect with water and sanitation peers, share solutions and drive change — all with free registration: https://lnkd.in/eQMGtzAS ➡️ Stay updated! Subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/euqD_KV5 #SDG6 #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #SouthSouthCoorperation #UNWater2026 #6GlobalWOPs

🎉 Happy 20th Anniversary to VEI! 🎉 For two decades, VEI has been a driving force behind Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) – championing peer-to-peer solidarity and inspiring countless others to join the movement. UN-Habitat's GWOPA is proud to stand alongside VEI, from joint partnerships in the field to our Community of Practice platform, where thousands of utility professionals connect, learn and grow together. Take a look back at VEI’s remarkable journey and the difference they have made through WOPs. As we heard during the anniversary celebrations today: WOPs are fit for the future – and VEI continues to show us how. 🎬 Watch VEI's 20-year anniversary film: https://lnkd.in/e9Ty_x_Z #SDG6 #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #WOPs UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Åsa Jonsson

🇪🇹 A national platform for peer-to-peer utility partnerships is born in Ethiopia: Introducing E-WOP Ethiopia has taken a major step toward more sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban water and sanitation services with the launch of its national Water Operators’ Partnership platform – E-WOP. On 26 June in Bishoftu, the Ministry of Water and Energy, the Ethiopian Urban Water and Sanitation Federation (EUWSF), UNICEF Ethiopia and UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) convened utilities, development partners and government leaders to mark this milestone and build momentum for the next phase of cooperation. The platform builds on years of national learning and growing collaboration among Ethiopian operators. The new E-WOP platform institutionalises the Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) approach in Ethiopia – a peer-to-peer model that connects utilities to exchange knowledge, share practices and support each other in improving service delivery. The platform will serve as a central hub for enabling partnerships, coordinating capacity development and aligning support with national priorities. 📍The launch follows a dynamic five-day national workshop earlier in June in Adama, where nearly 90 participants from utilities across the country gathered to deepen their knowledge and practice of WOPs. The workshop was facilitated by GWOPA/UN-Habitat with support from UNICEF, and hosted by EUWSF under the auspices of the Ministry of Water and Energy. The workshop showcased success stories of utilities that have progressed from mentees to mentors, and featured group sessions on asset management, non-revenue water and other shared challenges. Pairing sessions led to the formation of 14 new WOPs, linking experienced mentors such as Adama, Hawassa, Wolaita Sodo and Bishoftu with emerging utilities including Bidre, Doyogena, Chifra and Wukro. Stakeholders underlined the importance of WOPs in building institutional capacity, improving utility performance and expanding access to water and sanitation as a fundamental right. The E-WOP platform is expected to further promote peer learning, drive innovation and encourage excellence across the sector. 🧪 Early results are already emerging. Just days after the workshop, the Adama Water Utility sent a team of experts and urgently needed supplies more than 600 km to support Yabelo – a demonstration of peer solidarity in action. With the E-WOP platform now in place, Ethiopia has a powerful tool to scale up collaboration and ensure that no utility is left behind on the journey to SDG 6. 📄 Read more on the workshop that set the stage: https://lnkd.in/e72hwkMZ #SDG6  #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #Ethiopia #UNHabitat #UNICEF #SouthSouthCooperation #SolidarityInAction UNICEF Ethiopia UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

🌍 This week, the Wastewater and Non-Revenue Water working groups from the Water Operators’ Partnership (WOP) between eThekwini Municipality and HAMBURG WASSER are in Hamburg for a week-long exposure visit — and it’s been nothing short of inspiring. 💧 At the heart of the visit: Hamburg Wasser’s pioneering wastewater treatment facility, one of the largest and most integrated in Europe. The plant treats all the city’s wastewater in one location, turning it into energy ⚡, recovering phosphorus 🔁, and returning clean water safely to nature 🌱. A true model of circular water management in action! 🚰 For eThekwini, which manages several decentralised wastewater plants, this is a powerful learning opportunity. The ambition? To advance energy and resource recovery in their own system. But that path requires more than technology — it needs skilled operators, strong vocational training, and continuous knowledge exchange. That’s where the WOP — facilitated by Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance with financial support from the European Union — makes a real difference. 💡 Some takeaways from the visit: ➡️ Sustainability has no shortcuts – it’s built through consistent investment, innovation, and learning. ➡️ With commitment, progress is inevitable – the eThekwini team is energised to take action. ➡️ Water and wastewater must be central to climate action – for the health of people and planet 🌍 ➡️ Access to clean, safe water citywide is a real joy – kudos, Hamburg Wasser and eThekwini! 💦👏 🤝 Peer support works. This is what solidarity in action looks like. ➡️ Stay updated! Subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/euqD_KV5 📢 Learn more about the EU-WOP Programme: the call for partnership proposals of the second phase of the EU-WOP Programme will launch in June – stay tuned! https://bit.ly/3QzXikr #SDG6 #WaterForAll #SanitationForAll #CircularEconomy #WaterForClimate European Commission UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Claudia Wendland Emrah Engindeniz