South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies

What South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies does

SaciWATERs (South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies) is a Hyderabad-based non-profit research and advocacy organisation founded in 2001 in the wake of the 2000 World Water Forum at The Hague. It positions itself as a Think-Act-Tank, running interdisciplinary research across nine thrust areas: interdisciplinary water education, water policy and governance, water and gender, water and climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem rejuvenation, water quality, WASH, urban and peri-urban water security, and business sustainability/ESG. Its work combines social sciences, hydrology, GIS and remote sensing, and community-based methods, with active implementations across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The organisation delivers its work through five main product lines: a Research and Knowledge Generation arm that produces publications and policy briefs; the SaciWATERs Academy, which runs higher education programmes, trainings, and fellowships; Community Action Programmes that work shoulder-to-shoulder with marginalised communities on locally owned water solutions; an Expert Consultancy and Advisory service for governments, NGOs and businesses; and a Network Programmes function that convenes the SCaN (SaciWATERs-CapNet) network, the Global Mangrove Alliance India Chapter, and the Arsenic Network. Knowledge dissemination is supported by a public Knowledge Hub of publications, videos, policy briefs, newsletters and working papers.

The business model is grant-funded and project-based. Primary revenue streams are donor funding and grants from international development organisations, foundations, and government agencies (DST, MoEFCC, National Water Mission); expert consultancy services to governments, NGOs and businesses; capacity-building and training programmes through the Academy; and project-based research. The organisation holds FCRA authorisation valid through 2028 for foreign contributions, is empanelled with India's National Water Mission as a South Zone lead agency, is registered with NITI Aayog's NGO Darpan, and is a registered entity under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for CSR funding (CSR00003254), giving it a broad permission stack to receive grants from multilateral, bilateral, government, and corporate CSR sources.

Name

South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies

Legal name

South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies

Website

https://saciwaters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SaciWATERs is a Hyderabad-based non-profit Think-Act-Tank founded in 2001 that runs interdisciplinary water resources research, capacity building, and grassroots action programmes across six South Asian countries, funded primarily by grants, CSR contributions, and consultancy engagements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Resources Research and Consultancy Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Risk Management (BPADALAK)

Keywords

• Water resources research
• Interdisciplinary water studies
• Water policy consultancy
• Capacity building programs
• Community water solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Secunderabad

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Funding and Grants: Primary funding from international development organizations, foundations, and government grants. The organization receives support from multiple donors and has received FCRA authorization for foreign contributions. CSR funding from Government of India registered entity.
2. Expert Consultancy Services: Tailored consultancy to governments, NGOs and businesses across diverse fields. Provides advisory services drawing on over two decades of interdisciplinary expertise.
3. Capacity Building and Training Programs: Education, training and capacity building programs through SaciWATERs Academy. Programs bridge academic rigor with on-ground application for emerging leaders, professionals and communities.
4. Project-Based Research: Action-oriented research projects funded by government agencies (DST, MoEFCC, National Water Mission), international organizations, and development partners.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SaciWATERs operates as a Think-Act-Tank delivering interdisciplinary water resources research, expert consultancy to governments, NGOs and businesses, capacity building through its Academy, and grassroots community action programs across South Asia. The organization combines academic research with on-ground implementation across nine thrust areas including water policy, gender equity, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem conservation.

Product overview

SaciWATERs operates as a Think-Act-Tank organization driving interdisciplinary, collaborative change in water resources management across South Asia. The organization functions as a unified research and advocacy entity rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings center on research and knowledge generation across nine thrust areas (interdisciplinary water education, water policy and governance, water and gender, water and climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem rejuvenation, water quality, WASH, urban peri-urban water security, and ESG), complemented by the SaciWATERs Academy for capacity building, community action programs for grassroots implementation, expert consultancy services, a Knowledge Hub for publications and resources, and network programs connecting stakeholders across the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research and Knowledge Generation Interdisciplinary action-oriented research covering water policy and governance, water and gender, water and climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem rejuvenation, water quality, WASH, urban and peri-urban water security, and ESG. Generates publications, project reports, and policy briefs for governments, NGOs, academics, and donors.
• SaciWATERs Academy Capacity building programs delivering transformative, gender-inclusive training that bridges academic rigor with on-ground application. Includes Higher Education Programme, Trainings, and Fellowships for emerging water and climate leaders, professionals, and communities across South Asia.
• Expert Consultancy and Advisory Services Tailored consultancy services offered to governments, NGOs, and businesses drawing on over two decades of interdisciplinary expertise. Covers water governance, WASH policy, sanitation investment planning, springshed management, and coastal vulnerability assessments.
• Community Action Programs Grassroots implementation and community-driven solutions working shoulder-to-shoulder with marginalized communities to design sustainable, locally-owned water solutions. Includes Safe Water Kiosks, decentralized waste management, arsenic mitigation, and women-led initiatives.
• Network Programs Networks connecting researchers, institutions, and communities including the Global Mangrove Alliance India Chapter (22 member organisations), SaciWATERs-CapNet Network (SCaN), and Arsenic Network. Drives coordinated action toward water-secure futures across South Asia.
• Knowledge Hub Repository of publications, project reports, media, videos, policy briefs, training materials, newsletters, books, articles, and working papers on water resources management across South Asia.

Quantifiable outcome

• Safe Water Kiosk inaugurated at Government Primary School, Jawahar Nagar, Secunderabad - serving water-marginalized urban communities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Collaboration with NEWS and Axis Bank for Young Change Makers for Mangroves national youth digital storytelling contest.
• Wetlands International South AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2025Co-leader of the Global Mangrove Alliance India Chapter alongside Wetlands International South Asia, bringing together 22 member organisations committed to mangrove conservation.
• Cap-Net UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaciWATERs is one of the affiliated South Asia regional networks of Cap-Net, UNDP's global network for capacity development in sustainable water management. The network is called SaciWATERs-CapNet Network (SCaN).
• Global Water Partnership (GWP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered partner of the Global Water Partnership, a global action network with partners in 179 countries working on sustainable water management.
• Global Mangrove AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Global Mangrove Alliance, a preeminent global alliance with over 100 member organisations across 30 countries driving mangrove conservation and restoration worldwide.
• International Institute of Information Technology HyderabadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge partner providing academic collaboration in research and education on water resources and technology.
• Environment Protection Training & Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge partner in environmental training and research collaboration.
• University of Hyderabad - Centre for Distance & Virtual LearningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge partner for distance education and virtual learning programs in water resources.
• INTUERI Consulting LLP, KolkataminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge partner providing consulting expertise in water and environmental sectors.
• Government of TelanganacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Safe Water Kiosk initiative and various water security programs in Telangana state.
• Darjeeling MunicipalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in waste management initiative implementing community-owned decentralised model in Ward 18.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• WaterAid: International NGO focused on WASH access in developing countries, including an active India country program that directly funds SaciWATERs (Citizen First Water Supply and Sanitation Accountability Project). Highly comparable mission, donor profile, and WASH-focused programming.
• Global Water Partnership (GWP): Global action network with partners in 179 countries working on integrated water resources management. SaciWATERs is a registered GWP partner; mission, governance model, and transboundary convening role are highly aligned.
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): India-based think tank and advocacy organisation focused on environment, water, and public health. Highly comparable as a domestic Indian NGO combining research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building programs across water and climate.
• Wetlands International South Asia: South Asia regional office of Wetlands International focused on wetland and mangrove conservation. Directly comparable as a co-convener of the Global Mangrove Alliance India Chapter alongside SaciWATERs and an active partner on coastal resilience and ecosystem work.
• Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI): Independent policy and research institute focused on water governance, with a strong convening role (World Water Week). Comparable as a think-tank convener with overlapping themes in governance, climate, and transboundary cooperation.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): India-based, multi-disciplinary research institute working on water, climate, and sustainability with a strong policy-advocacy mandate. Directly comparable as a domestic Indian research-to-action organisation with overlapping themes in water governance, climate adaptation, and capacity building.
• Arghyam: India-based foundation focused on safe water and sanitation across the country. Comparable as a domestic Indian grantmaking and program-oriented water organisation with overlapping focus on equity, governance, and field implementation.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI): Global CGIAR-affiliated water research organisation headquartered in Sri Lanka with major India operations. Highly comparable mission (water security for developing countries), research-policy-action model, and overlaps through shared personnel (SacIWATERs' Grassroots Implementation Manager previously spent 12 years at IWMI).

Broad incumbents

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Global conservation organisation whose Asia Regional Office works on water-related ecosystems, gender, and climate adaptation. Overlapping thematic scope (water, ecosystems, gender) but IUCN operates globally with much larger scale and budget.
• World Resources Institute (WRI): Large global research organisation with a major India water program (AQUEDUCT) covering water risk, governance, and climate. Overlaps thematically but is far larger, broader in scope, and not focused on South Asia exclusively.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjDvC_8YF4ZlZoLZzP3Yv0w
• Xx.com/SaciWATERs
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaciWATERs-100064418123342
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saciwaters

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies