Youth networks dedicated to water

It took a while, but it’s finally here! Below you will find a list of the youth networks dedicated to water that either I knew about or communicated that they wanted to be a part of this blog post. This is not comprehensive, and I will update it as more come in.

This all came about, because the World Bank has launched a new water young professional network (see below) and I only thought it fair if I was going to announce that, that I include all the other ones out there that exist.

Why join a youth network?

These did not exist when I was a young professional. I tried my hand at organizing one once, on transboundary waters, and it didn’t go anywhere (although one could argue my drinks nights emerged because of it, as the six people at my first drinks were all young professional transboundary folks who made up the beginnings of that association). But now they are plentiful, and I can’t recommend enough to join them at whatever scale you think best for your career (global, regional, national and local, or all of the above). This is why I believe you should join:

• Community-building: If any of you have heard one of my jobs talks, I’m not fond of the word “networking,” which is very utilitarian to me. I prefer, “community-building,” because that’s more what it is. I’m still working with people I met 20 years ago. Many friends are in the water community, I visit and vacation with them. Youth networks provide an opportunity to grow your water community
• Peer-to-peer mentoring: The associate dean during my first day of grad school said it best: “You will probably learn more from your fellow students than from your professors, so embrace your community here.” He was right and I continue to learn from them to this day
• Access to opportunities: From speaking and educational opportunities to events attendance and, even in some cases, funding opportunities (although we’d all like more of that), networks open doors that might not have been there otherwise
• Problem–solving across geographies: Depending on the scale of the network, of course, but these networks give you the opportunity to learn what others are doing in other places that, with a bit of tweaking, might work for your own
• Venting: You get to complain about the previous generation. We all do it
• They are fun: The best reason of all

I had originally asked for just global and regional networks, but a few national ones came in and I figured, “Why not?” This will be a living document, so if there are any water youth networks that are not here and you’d like to be, including national-level ones that are not subsidiaries of others, and I know they are out there, please get in touch with me.

Your region not have one? Think about starting one up!

Comments are open! Might take me a bit to moderate them.

Quick links

Global:

• World Bank Global Young Water Professionals Network (ECH₂O)
• International Water Association (IWA) Youth Water Professionals (YWPs)
• World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW)
• Water Youth Network (WYN)
• International Water Resources Association (IWRA) Early Career and Young Professionals (ECYP)
• Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) Young Professionals
• International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) Young Professionals Network
• UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network
• International Water Law Academy (IWLA) – Emerging Scholars Initiative (ESI)
• Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Early Careers Network
• Youth Engaged in Wetlands
• Young Hydrologic Society
• International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA)
• The WASH Youth Network

Regional:

• Red de Jóvenes por el Agua Centroamérica
• South Asia Young Women in Water (SAYWiW)
• Youth and Young Water Professionals Platform (YYPP)
• Central Asia Youth for Water
• Sava Youth Parliament
• Youth for the Rhine
• Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) Young Professionals (SYP)

National:

• South African Young Water Professionals (YWP-ZA)
• Swiss Water Partnership Youth
• American Geophysical Union Hydrology Section Student Subcommittee
• Australian Water Association Young Water Professionals

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Global

World Bank Global Young Water Professionals Network (ECH₂O)

“Are you 18 to 35 years old, passionate about water and want to give your contribution as a professional or activist towards the achievement of SDG6?

The Global Young Water Professionals Network community is a vibrant and welcoming space for emerging leaders like you in the water sector! We’re dedicated to fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and supporting your professional development.”

Website / Sign up

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International Water Association (IWA) Young Water Professionals (YWPs)

The International Water Association (IWA) warmly welcomes all members aged 35 years or below to join our dynamic Young Water Professionals (YWPs) community. IWA is deeply committed to investing in the development of YWPs, fostering empowerment within both the association and the broader water sector. Within this vibrant community, young members have the unparalleled opportunity to cultivate their careers by forging international connections, collaborating with peers, and actively contributing to the advancement of the water sector. Participation in this global network equips YWPs to not only build a robust professional profile but also to play a crucial role in shaping a water-wise future. We encourage YWPs to not only join the global community but also explore the diverse range of more than 40 country chapters worldwide. These chapters, typically consisting of a steering committee with a minimum of 3 IWA members, serve as voluntary networks operating at regional, national, or local levels. They provide a platform for engaging with a more diverse array of YWPs from various organizations in the water sector. Moreover, the YWP Community is guided by a dedicated Steering Committee, a representative body of young members aged 35 and below. This committee offers valuable insights to the association, advising on effective ways to meet the needs of young professionals, support their empowerment, and actively involve them in IWA’s ongoing activities at both national and international levels. Join the YWP community today and be a part of this exciting journey toward a sustainable water future!

Website / Facebook /

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World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW)

“The World Youth Parliament for Water is a network of passionate young people from over 80 countries. We are your ‘Leaders of Tomorrow,’ making waves of change in the water sector.  Our members take action on water issues at all levels; from concrete actions in local communities, to advocacy for youth leadership in the water sector at the United Nations General Assembly.

We respond to the interests of youth, working together to prioritize water issues and create platforms for the expertise of youth to be recognized on these issues. We support youth-led water projects. We work to see that youth have a valued and respected decision-making seat among senior water management officials. We are thirsty for a change!”

Website / Join / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter/X

Map of their parliaments (National and regional)

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Water Youth Network (WYN)

‘The Water Youth Network is a global and inclusive connector in the water sector, with a vibrant community of students and young professionals and across disciplines. We do not try to compete with other water youth organizations; we connect existing ones and promote them. The Water Youth Network is neither an implementation organization nor a fund. Therefore, empowering, connecting & change-making is our motto. We value inclusion, innovation and a collaborative spirit.’

Website / Join / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter/X

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International Water Resources Association (IWRA) Early Career and Young Professionals (ECYP)

Background:

Early career and young professionals constitute a substantial portion of IWRA’s membership, embodying a community of dynamic water experts poised to become the future leaders in the sector. Recognising the potential impact and value these members bring to IWRA, a dedicated task force was established to accelerate their career development and expand their professional networks.

Overall Task Force Objectives:

• Better understand the needs and interests of Early Career and Young Professionals
• Target and engage ECYP members in topics and activities through multiple media forms
• Provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, learning and networking
• Create a stronger ECYP voice through cross-cutting activities and initiatives with other key IWRA partners 
• Increase ECYPs engagement in IWRA projects

How to Participate:

All IWRA members are warmly invited to join the ECYP Task Force. Non-IWRA members interested in becoming part of the Task Force can sign up for IWRA membership here, and then send an email to office@iwra.org expressing their interest in joining the task force. Additional details about the task force and its activities can be found here.

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Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) Young Professionals

RWSN places an emphasis on engaging with young people in the water sector, with a specific focus on young professionals. Are you under the age of 35, and a young professional interested working towards SDG 6.1? If so, you may want to:

• Join the RWSN online community dedicated to young professionals (it’s free and takes a few seconds) where we share activities and opportunities for hundreds of young professionals in the water sector.
• Participate in our RWSN Mentoring programme for young professionals and women in the water sector.  Hundreds of young professionals have benefited from RWSN’s mentoring programme since 2019. For more information about the RWSN Mentoring Programme and its impact, see our flyer.
• Download RWSN’s Young Professionals Engagement Strategy and let us know what you think.
• If you are a member of a youth organisation working in the water sector, your organisation can join the network as a member organisation and benefit from additional services.

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International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) Young Professionals Network

IAHR Young Professionals Networks (YPNs) ensure that new generations of future hydro-environment professionals and researchers have the opportunity to engage in IAHR activities, network and connect with peers and senior IAHR members, receive mentoring and support, and get access to the latest knowledge, information and know-how in the early stage of their careers.

YPN members represent the backbone of the future IAHR and play an important role within the association through their activities and initiatives.

Website / Brochure

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UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network

“The Groundwater Youth Network (GWYN) is a youth led network aiming to provide a coordination mechanism between pre-existing youth organizations focused on water, and more specifically groundwater. The network will place an emphasis on inclusiveness and diversity in order to facilitate the global exchange of ideas, to contribute to groundwater resilience around the world.”

Website / Join / Twitter/X / LinkedIn

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International Water Law Academy (IWLA) – Emerging Scholars Initiative (ESI)

The International Water Law Academy (IWLA) of Wuhan University is a hub of international water law expertise and training, consisting of a network of over 50 experts and affiliates around the world. A vital component of the IWLA is the Emerging Scholars Initiative (ESI), a community of emerging scholars (defined as broadly as possible) in international water law or those who engage with international water law. Operating through Slack and WhatsApp, the ESI hosts monthly online meetups with speakers on various topics to connect our members and build practical skills for career development. Contact David J Devlaeminck (Chongqing University, China) for more information.

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Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Early Careers Network

“The Early Careers Network is a community of early-career professionals and students in the water and environment sector, who are typically in the first five years of their careers.

The networks mission is to provide career support to professionals starting out in the water and environment sector.

We facilitate a platform for early-career professionals to collaborate, share, and develop, alongside other like-minded individuals from the global CIWEM community.

We aim to ensure representation of early-career professionals across the sector in all CIWEM activities. As a network member, you will access events, workshops, networking and exclusive opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available to you.”

Website

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Youth Engaged in Wetlands

Youth Engaged in Wetlands or “YEW” is an international youth team of volunteers committed to the conservation, protection, and wise-use of wetlands. YEW provides a global platform for young people to enable and empower them to help support the mission of The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Our Mission

Youth Engaged in Wetlands will provide a global platform for young people to enable and empower them to help protect and promote our wetlands through: raising awareness, building capacity, fostering partnerships, campaigning for action, and exchanging information.

Our Vision

Youth Engaged in Wetlands is identified as the leading youth network for wetlands, and is recognized as a key stakeholder for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands through meaningful engagement in the processes of the Convention, ensuring intergenerational cooperation.

Website

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Young Hydrologic Society

The Young Hydrologic Society (YHS) is a bottom-up initiative to stimulate the interaction and active participation of young hydrologists within the hydrological community.

Founded in October 2012 the YHS is currently run by a team of enthusiastic MSc’s, PhD’s and post-doc’s from several universities across Europe. Based on its first public meeting at the 2013 European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna the YHS established the following goals:

• Connect young hydrologists early in their career,
• Organize events to bring together young hydrologists,
• Provide information for young hydrologists,
• Create awareness of current and future research topics within hydrology,
• Reform hydrology towards more involvement of early career hydrologists.

Website / Facebook / Twitter/X

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International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA)

The IDRA Young Leaders Program was officially launched at the 2009 World Congress in Dubai. The goals of this exciting initiative are to help promote opportunities in the industry, support career advancement, and provide a forum for communication and the exchange of ideas among young professionals and the industry at large. The YLP is open to any IDRA member 35 years of age or under.

To become an IDRA-YLP member, go to the Membership tab on our website – www.idadesal.org, go to the section that says Join/Renew, and choose the appropriate membership category. Please note, for a student membership, you will be required to upload your fulltime student status via a copy of your student ID or a letter from your educational institute. There is a section to join YLP after selecting your membership category.

Website

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The WASH Youth Network

The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Youth Network (WASH) is a youth-led network committed to providing environmentally sound and healthy communities through advocacy, dissemination of information, and provision of WASH services. Our mission is to contribute to the development of Africa and the world by promoting WASH practices among all persons in rural and urban areas through educational outreach programs and the provision of WASH services.

Website (LinkedIn)

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Regional

Red de Jóvenes por el Agua Centroamérica

Visión

Ser la Red Juvenil Líder que impulse la Gestión Integrada de los Recursos Hídricos (GIRH) en Centroamérica

Misión

Garantizar la organización de la juventud Centroamérica para promover la GIRH.

Objetivo general

Fomentar el desarrollo de la participación juvenil centroamericana en la GIRH.

Facebook

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South Asia Young Women in Water (SAYWiW)

SAYWiW envisions a future for young women water professionals from South Asia to stand as global leaders in water resource management. Water is a uniquely complicated resource in South Asia mainly due to the cultural and spiritual values associated with it. Thus, it is important that water professionals from the region who share, respect, and truly understand the sentiments associated with water must come together for its effective and sustainable management. SAYWiW, therefore, is committed to transcending beyond borders and bringing the youth together to foster change and peace for a better, water-secure future. 

Website / LinkedIn

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Youth and Young Water Professionals Platform (YYPP)

A regional youth organisation founded in 2021 with the support from Global Water Partnership South Asia (GWP SAS).

Who are we?

YYPP supports the next generation of water experts through its peer-to-peer support network that engages in intergenerational dialogues and partnerships. The YYPP approach aligns with the GWP youth strategy of ensuring initiatives are “By the youth, for the youth, with the youth.

Vision

Availability of water of acceptable quantity and quality for all beneficial uses, and increased capacity and ability of countries and communities to adapt to climatic variability in the South Asia.

Mission

Promote water security and climate resilience in South Asia as a key part of sustainable regional and national development for economic growth and human security keeping IWRM intact.

Website / LinkedIn / Facebook

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Central Asia Youth for Water

Young water leaders network supported by Natural Resources Institute at the Kazakh-German University (KZ), International Secretariat for Water (Canada) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Switzerland)

Facebook

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Sava Youth Parliament

Fostering awareness among the young population through the Youth Parliament initiative.

To complement the creation of the Sava Water Council and to raise awareness among the younger populations the ISRBC initiated a Youth Parliament initiative.

The Youth Parliament gathers up to 60 young people, between 15-18 years of age, each year from secondary schools in the Sava River Basin countries.

The specific objectives of the Youth Parliament are:

to familiarize the youth with the integrated planning, regulation, use and protection of water resources at basin level, and to allow discussion on current and future priorities regarding the use and protection of water resources and understand their vision of possible solutions.

The initial activities have been strongly welcomed and supported by the countries’ representatives – both by ISRBC and by ministers at the 4th Meeting of the Parties to the FASRB (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 31, 2013).

Website

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Youth for the Rhine

What is our mission and vision?

Youth for the Rhine is a youth-led initiative intended to motivate younger generations across the Rhine Basin in thinking about and addressing Europe’s major societal issues: climate change adaptation and the diverse issues of water, food and energy. It is a uniquely new opportunity for young people between the ages 15-35 to connect cross-border on a tangible case study, the Rhine River. Through the ‘ABCD’ model of co-creation, the project will connect ‘Administrators’, ‘Businesses’, ‘Civil Service’ and ‘Demos’ together to implement sustainable climate innovations. 

What are our goals?

Youth for the Rhine works on a variety of issues:

• Implementation: Concrete actions on issues of importance to the youth
• Youth Consultation: Bottom-up online consultation following the ‘ABCD’ model
• Knowledge Sharing Platform: Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship for young end-users in the Rhine

Website

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Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) Young Professionals (SYP)

SUMERNET a committed young professionals network that aims to build a network of young professionals under 35 years old in the Mekong Region with strong regional ownership by working with the young professionals in the SUMERNET network and beyond to contribute to transformative changes in the region. The network currently has 137 active members and is open for young professionals who want to build their capacity in research and exchange learning among young members in the network. Currently under SUMERNET 4 All Programme (2018-2024), SYP supports awareness raising and capacity building among its members on issues related to research and policy engagement to address water insecurity in the Mekong Region, aligned with the objectives of the Programme. Any young professionals, researchers or practitioners who concern about sustainability in the Mekong Region, are invited to become members of SYP. Join

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National

South African Young Water Professionals (YWP-ZA)

The South African Young Water Professionals (YWP-ZA) is one of the oldest YWP chapters across the globe. We work closely with the Water Institute of Southern Africa and the International Water Association to empower YWPs, the future of the water sector. Our vision is to contribute to the present and future needs of the water sector through the continuous development of a workforce which is adequate in size, capable in skills and strong in leadership. We aim to achieve distinction by connecting all YWPs striving for personal and professional evolution. We have provincial chapters in Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Western Cape, Limpopo, North West and Eastern Cape that each operate their own activities and programmes, in collaboration with our national committee. Our activities include conferences, outreach, networking, personal and technical development, advocacy, articles/publishing and much more. In November 2023 we hosted our 7th National WISA-YWP conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Website / LinkedIn / Twitter/X

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Swiss Water Partnership Youth

Created in 2019, Swiss Water Partnership Youth (SWP Youth) is an initiative that empowers youth in the water for development sector. SWP Youth offers mentorships, project grants and capacity-building activities and provides a platform for young aspirants to lead their own projects for water. SWP Youth’s flagship activity is the annual Water Challenge, providing funds and mentorship to a selection of youth-led water projects in the world. Based in Switzerland and active across the globe, SWP Youth aims at creating a thriving community of young water enthusiasts, promoting safe and sustainable access to water across all generations.

Website / Instagram

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American Geophysical Union Hydrology Section Student Subcommittee

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Hydrology Section Student Subcommittee (H3S) is as group of motivated students and early career scientists who strive to provide student and early career hydrologists with opportunities for professional developments well as social interaction and networking within the broader geosciences community.

We invite all early career hydrologists to apply, including students (undergraduate, masters, doctoral), postdocs, and pre-tenure faculty, early-career federal, or industry employees, within five years of graduation. We are looking for members who want to bring fresh ideas to H3S or are enthusiastic about supporting existing initiatives.

Website / LinkedIn

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Australian Water Association Young Water Professionals

The Young Water Professionals program empowers Australia’s young water professionals and emerging leaders to build water networks, grow their knowledge, and sharpen their leadership skills as committee members. 

With a focus on water professionals below the age of 35 or with less than 10 years of water experience, the program supports early career development for people working with water.

Website