Global Programme Water

The programmes, projects and contributions of the Global Programme Water (GPW) meet key global challenges related to the management of water resources, including access to drinking water and the use of water for agriculture, industry, households and nature. By focusing on inequity and poverty, they contribute to the reduction of global risks and the realization of a water-secure world.

To achieve this, the GPW engages in political/policy influencing and institution building within the water sector in Switzerland and at global level; promotes innovation in concepts, approaches and technologies that tackle global water challenges; builds partnerships through which additional funding, influence and coverage can lead to large-scale improvements in water services and water resource management; and fosters strategic and action-oriented water knowledge management by means of thematic networks and communities of practice.

The GPW acts as a centre of competence and maintains partnerships with academia, the public and private sector and civil society organizations.

The GPW hosts and moderates the thematic network RésEAU, which cuts across all the SDC units and partners involved or interested in the issue of water for development. The network is important to make meaningful contributions to the dialogue on global water issues – and to enhance the relevance, coherence and effectiveness of the field operations and policy interventions in the water sector. In addition, the GPW works closely with the Global Programme Food Security on efficient and sustainable use and management of water for agriculture, and with the Global Programme Climate Change on adaptation to climate change that directly impacts the water cycle, and thus the availability of water.

_{Global Programme Water Strategic Framework 2017-2020 (click on image to enlarge)}

Vision: A water-secure world

Where people have the capacity to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable-quality water; have access to adequate and equitable sanitation in order to sustain livelihoods, human well-being and socio-economic develop-ment; ensure protection against waterborne diseases and water-related disasters; and preserve ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.

Mission

To contribute to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Main objectives of the Global Programme Water	​
The GPW strategy 2017-2020  focuses on four strategic components: ​
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​​​Water Governance to contribute to strengthening good water governance and its defining components on the global, regional and national levels, both in the public and private sectors. To ensure equitable and sustainable water management, while prioritising access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene.	​ Water Solutions ​​to support the acceleration of the implementation of SDG 6 by developing innovative solutions for the valuing of water, sustainable financing, technologies, sustainable service delivery and water management models.​
​Water Voice to enable Switzerland and SDC to position themselves as influential players in the international dialogue on water and sanitation. To ensure that availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation are prioritised on international agendas.	​​ Young People & Gender Equality to empower women and young people as agents of change who exert influence on the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation and benefit from it.

Find out how SDC and its implemetation partners, apply the four objectives: Have a look at the Documents of the Global Programme Water. You will find tools, project results and factsheets on each project and program of the GPW portfolio. Key results and information from some selected projects can be accessed at the end of this page.