World Youth Parliament for Water

What World Youth Parliament for Water does

The World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW) is a global non-profit youth network founded in 2002 in Quebec City, Canada by the International Secretariat for Water (ISW), which continues to provide organizational guidance and co-organizes the network's flagship events. The organization is a youth advocacy and coordinating body rather than a technology company: its core activity is mobilizing, training, and convening young people aged 15–35 around global water governance, with no proprietary technology product, no paid software offering, and no monetised data assets. Its portfolio consists of (i) a federated network of 50+ regional and local parliaments across 80+ countries, (ii) a triennial General Assembly held alongside the World Water Forum (most recently the 6th in Bali, Indonesia in May 2024), (iii) thematic programmes such as the Blue Peace Initiative (with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) and the Youth for Water and Peace Platform (with the Geneva Water Hub), and (iv) a 'Tools for Action' resource library for youth water advocates.

WYPW operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market: prospective members enroll through online forms and existing chapters, and the competitive selection for the General Assembly (650+ applications for 70 seats in 2024) is itself a recruiting funnel. Membership is free, and the organization does not sell products, licences, or services. Operating revenue — no audited figures are disclosed — is sourced from institutional partners and development grants, primarily from a small set of recurring funders (Swiss SDC, Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie, ISW) supplemented by collaboration agreements with UN-Water, UNESCO, the World Water Council, the Geneva Water Hub, the Global Water Partnership, SIWI, and roughly a dozen other multilateral, governmental, and NGO partners.

WYPW's competitive position rests on institutional legitimacy (UN-Water partner since 2013; host of General Assemblies inside the triennial World Water Forum cycle), a globally distributed membership base, and a long operating history. Reported headcount is 101–250, but the organization is predominantly volunteer-led through its chapters and working groups, with a lean central secretariat. The Board is elected by members every three years and currently comprises President Teddy Katongo Chifumbano, Vice-President Kristina Almazidou, and regional focal points across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.

Name

World Youth Parliament for Water

Legal name

World Youth Parliament for Water

Website

https://youthforwater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Founded in 2002, the World Youth Parliament for Water is a global non-profit youth network engaging 15,000+ young leaders across 80+ countries. It operates 50+ regional and local parliaments and organizes triennial General Assemblies during World Water Forums to advance youth participation in water governance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy and Youth Water Governance

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

Keywords

• Youth water advocacy
• Water governance network
• Youth parliamentary forums
• Environmental civil society
• Global youth mobilization

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership Funding: WYPW receives support from institutional partners including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Artois Picardie Water Agency, and other international organizations. This funding supports General Assemblies, chapter development, and operational activities.
2. Membership Support: The organization operates with support from the International Secretariat for Water (ISW) which provides organizational guidance and resources. Individual membership is free, with operational costs covered through institutional partnerships and grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The World Youth Parliament for Water is a global, youth-led advocacy network founded in 2002 that mobilizes young people in water governance issues. It runs a free membership program, hosts General Assemblies every three years aligned with the World Water Forums, and maintains a federated structure of national chapters spanning more than 80 countries. Its core deliverable is youth representation and policy input on water-related issues within international water governance processes.

Product overview

The World Youth Parliament for Water is a global youth network (not a technology product company) focused on youth advocacy and action for water issues. The organization operates a network of regional and national youth parliaments across 80+ countries, organizes triennial General Assemblies alongside World Water Forums, and provides tools and resources for youth water leadership. The portfolio consists of regional chapter networks, the General Assembly program, educational tools/resources, and thematic initiatives like Blue Peace and Youth for Water and Peace—all serving the mission of empowering youth to participate in global water governance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WaterGeneration: Youth movement for water initiative supported by the International Secretariat for Water, involving large-scale mobilization of young people worldwide
• Youth for Water and Peace

Products and services

• Youth Membership Program Free membership program open to young people worldwide that provides access to the global youth water advocacy network, communications, and chapter activities.
• General Assembly at the World Water Forum Triennial in-person General Assembly convened alongside the World Water Forums, bringing together youth delegates from more than 80 countries for advocacy, deliberation, and policy input on water governance.
• National Chapter Network Federated network of national chapters spanning 80+ countries that coordinate grassroots youth water advocacy, local events, and recruitment into the global parliament.

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded in 2002, the organization has grown to represent youth in 80+ countries
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDC provides ongoing support to WYPW youth actions and has partnered specifically on Blue Peace initiatives for peaceful transboundary water management. The agency supports youth empowerment in water governance.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO collaborates with WYPW on youth engagement in water education and sustainable development goals. The partnership supports water-related knowledge resources and capacity building.
• UN-WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWYPW became an official partner of UN-Water in 2013. This partnership enables youth representation in global water policy discussions and provides access to UN platforms.
• Geneva Water HubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Youth for Water and Peace platform launched in 2018. The Geneva Water Hub collaborates with WYPW on water diplomacy and peace-related water initiatives.
• Global Water PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Water Partnership works with WYPW on integrated water resources management and youth capacity building in the water sector.
• International Secretariat for Water (ISW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISW conceived and founded WYPW in 2002 and provides ongoing guidance, organizational support, and co-organizes General Assemblies. ISW connects youth to decision-making processes and supports chapter development.
• MTL International (Montreal International)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMontreal International supports WYPW as part of the Montreal ecosystem, given the connection to ISW based in Montreal, Canada.
• Blue PeacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Peace initiative partners with WYPW to promote peaceful transboundary water management through the Blue Peace Index and related initiatives.
• Agence de l'eau Artois-PicardiemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench water agency that supports WYPW youth actions and has collaborated on General Assembly funding and youth engagement programs.
• World Water CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWYPW has official recognition from the World Water Council institutions. The organization holds General Assemblies during World Water Forums organized by the Council.
• Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIWI collaborates with WYPW on youth engagement in water issues and supports knowledge sharing in the global water community.
• Young Water SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth-focused water organization that partners with WYPW to support young water professionals and amplify youth voices in the sector.
• Swiss Water PartnershipsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss Water Partnership collaborates with WYPW on water sector engagement and youth empowerment initiatives.
• French Water PartnershipsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Water Partnership works with WYPW on water advocacy and youth engagement in French-speaking regions.
• WaterLexsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLex partners with WYPW on water law and governance issues relevant to youth advocacy.
• Asian Development BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerADB collaborates with WYPW on youth engagement in water and climate issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
• RIOB (International Network of Basin Organizations)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIOB partners with WYPW on transboundary water management and basin-level youth engagement.
• Alliance for Global Water AdaptationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAGWA collaborates with WYPW on climate adaptation and water resource management initiatives.
• Circle of BluesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCircle of Blue partners with WYPW on water news and information sharing with youth audiences.
• Running Dry MovementsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRunning Dry Movement collaborates with WYPW on water scarcity awareness and youth mobilization.
• Water Youth NetworksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWater Youth Network works with WYPW to connect young water professionals globally.
• BENAA FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBENAA Foundation supports WYPW as an impact partner in youth water initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Charity: Water: US-based nonprofit funding clean water projects in developing countries with strong digital fundraising brand. Broad incumbent: overlaps on water access mission and storytelling-driven member engagement, but at much larger donor scale.
• Water.org: Global nonprofit co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White focused on expanding access to safe water and sanitation through financial solutions. Broad incumbent: shares water access mission but operates via market-based financing rather than youth advocacy.
• WaterAid: Major international NGO focused on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene across 22+ countries. Broad incumbent: overlaps with WYPW's water access and sanitation equity focus but operates at much larger scale and as an established implementing organization rather than a youth network.

Others

• Global Water Partnership: International network advancing integrated water resources management across 180+ country partnerships. Others: not a direct youth peer but a strategic WYPW partner working on integrated water resources management and youth capacity building.
• International Secretariat for Water (ISW): Montreal-based NGO that conceived and founded WYPW in 2002 and continues to provide institutional guidance and co-organize General Assemblies. Others: not a competitor but the parent/incubator organization whose strategy directly shapes WYPW's trajectory.
• Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI): Swedish water policy institute organizing World Water Week and water knowledge work. Others: not a youth network but a key WYPW partner and the convening institution that shapes the global water agenda WYPW seeks to influence.
• WaterLex: International nonprofit focusing on the human right to water and water law reform. Others: not a youth network but a WYPW partner working on adjacent water governance and human rights advocacy themes.
• Geneva Water Hub: Geneva-based platform for water diplomacy and hydrodiplomacy hosted at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Others: partner organization that co-hosts the Youth for Water and Peace platform with WYPW.

Direct peers

• Water Youth Network: European network of young water professionals focused on connecting emerging water leaders across borders. Direct peer: nearly identical mission (connecting young water professionals globally), comparable age demographic, and listed as a WYPW GTM/marketing partner.
• Young Water Solutions: Belgium-based youth water fellowship and capacity-building organization supporting young water entrepreneurs and advocates worldwide. Closest direct peer: similar target audience (ages 18-35), similar mission of youth empowerment in water, and explicitly listed as a WYPW partner organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wypw_pmje
• Facebookfacebook.com/world.youth.parliament.for.water
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/world-youth-parliament-for-water
• Instagraminstagram.com/wypw_pmje

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about World Youth Parliament for Water