Convinced of the vital role of water in fostering inclusive development, the International Secretariat for Water – Solidarity Water Europe (ISW-SWE), is a bold and dynamic organisation which drives systemic transformations towards equitable and sustainable water resource management. The ISW-SWE has always placed civil society, especially young people, at the heart of its action, recognizing its role as catalyst for meaningful change.
Recognizing the growing importance of its youth focus, the ISW-SWE introduced, in 2017, a dedicated youth strategy entitled “Water Generation”. We are glad to present an updated iteration of the Water Generation strategy for the 2024-2030 period.
2030: A mobilised, engaged and influential Water Generation
The ISW-SWE’s vision is inspired by the idea of a Water Generation, representing a widespread, dynamic and connected mobilization of young people around the world. This generation is rooted in action and influence, amplifying its voice through the active engagement of youth within their communities. The aim is to acknowledge and actively support the meaningful inclusion of young people in addressing environmental and societal water-related challenges, empowering them to participate in decision-making processes and implement impactful solutions.
Our approach
- Mobilize youth on water-related environmental and societal issues and facilitate youth participation in local, transboundary and global processes and initiatives.
- Connect young people, alumni of the youth water movement, youth organizations, decision-makers and actors engaged in the field of water, across sectors, borders and generations.
- Empower youth by offering technical and financial support to increase the impact and influence of actions carried out by and for young people.
The ISW-SWE’s Water Generation strategy targets young people between the ages of 18 and 35. ISW-SWE’s approach is to establish a long-term collaboration with young people. Mobilizing and strengthening the capacities of young people, with a particular focus on young women, in regions of the world most affected by water-related issues, is at the heart of the ISW-SWE approach. The ISW-SWE recognizes and values the diversity of the youth water movement, which includes thousands of individuals with diverse cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, values, and expertise, sharing a common vision and desire: to become agents of change.
Partnerships at the heart of Water Generation
The ISW-SWE Water Generation youth strategy is based on strong and diversified partnerships, the number and quality of which have progressed considerably between 2017 and 2022. During the 2024-2030 period, the ISW-SWE will continue to increase its collaborations with youth actors in the water space, including youth-led organisations, organisations that support youth and those seeking their involvement.
Strategic Priorities
The ISW-SWE implements several programmes and initiatives « by, for and with young people for water », based on the following four main strategic priorities.
- Mobilization actors of the Water Generation
The mobilization of youth for water by the ISW-SWE is framed within a perspective that is both local, cross-border, and international. This mobilization is achieved notably through coordinating and amplifying communication and awareness campaigns on water-related issues.
- Strengthening the influence of youth
The ISW-SWE aims to empower youth actors to develop a collective vision of a water-secure future, rooted in common values, principles and goals. The ISW-SWE will also focus on fostering spaces for intergenerational co-creation. The ISW-SWE aims to go beyond mere participation to ensure a real influence of youth in political processes at national, cross-border and international levels.
- Training and capacity building
The ISW-SWE is dedicated to enhancing the capacities of young people of the Water Generation, empowering them to effectively tackle water-related challenges. In an era where disinformation is used as a strategy by many actors, it is all the more crucial to equip these young change makers with robust knowledge and transversal skills such as leadership and influence. Within the ISW-SWE, youth participate in programs that provide them with comprehensive knowledge on water-related issues and key skills that will help them unlock their full potential as agents of change.
- Supporting Youth Action and Innovation
The ISW-SWE supports the emergence of creative and innovative solutions by youth, rooted in the local realities of populations most affected by water-related issues. The ISW-SWE will provide technical and financial support for youth-led action, through a flexible funding mechanism.
Youth and water, an imperative for a sustainable future
Young people aged 18 to 35 represent approximately 26% of the global population, totaling just over 2 billion individuals, and they are directly confronted with the escalating environmental, social, and health crises. In this context, youth play a crucial role in addressing the urgent need for action. The urge to drive change has been vividly demonstrated and reinforced by the substantial growth of the Water Generation over the past 7 years.
Water Generation 2017-2022
From 2017 to 2022, the ISW-SWE empowered several thousand young individuals, enhancing their ability to act as catalysts for positive change. It has firmly established itself as a global and
regional hub for youth mobilization and empowerment, while also providing unwavering support for the implementation of grassroots initiatives by young changemakers.
- +55 Youth Parliaments for Water led by young people at national, watershed and regional levels
- 370 Youth organisations and allies mobilised through the Global Youth Movement for Water
- +500 000 Young people mobilized for water
- 25 Decision-making processes influenced at the local, national and global levels
- 200 workshops organised by the ISW-SWE and associated partners of its youth networks to support the capacity of young people for water-related action and innovation
In the face of increasingly pressing challenges, the coming years will require even more rapid change, with youth playing a central role. In this context, the 2024-20230 Water Generation Youth Strategy helps the ISW-SWE further contribute to building a sustainable and equitable future, placing civil society – especially young people – at the heart of its action, and working across generations, borders and sectors.
“Integrating youth into decision-making ensures that today’s solutions align with tomorrow’s needs, promoting intergenerational equity. Empowering youth-led organizations through technical and financial support is essential for achieving sustainable water solutions. Youthful problems require youthful solutions.” Teddy Katongo, President, World Youth Parliament for Water
“It is crucial to support young people equip themselves with the tools necessary to face the challenges and opportunities ahead. To achieve this, we must mobilize the youth, ensuring that they become engaged, competent, and credible actors. At the same time, it is essential that they are recognized and listened to as advocates for the cause of water. Only by meeting these two conditions can we ensure the genuine participation of young people in shaping the future of our societies. This approach is at the heart of the WaterGeneration 2024-2030 Strategy.“ Sarah Dousse, Executive Director, International Secretariat for Water