World Waternet
World Waternet is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2007 that delivers peer-to-peer capacity-building Water Operators' Partnerships with public water utilities across at least 12 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America, funded by grants from the Dutch government, EU, and World Bank.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What World Waternet does
World Waternet (legal name: Stichting Wereld Waternet) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2007 and headquartered in Amsterdam. It operates as the international development arm of the Dutch water sector, working in close partnership with the City of Amsterdam, the Amstel, Gooi and Vecht Water Authority, and the Waternet Foundation to deliver Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs). Its core function is peer-to-peer capacity building with water utilities and water operators in developing countries, providing hands-on training, technical assistance, and operational support across drinking water, wastewater, non-revenue water, and integrated water resources management. The organisation is active across at least 12 countries spanning South America, West and East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with a regional hub in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and projects in Suriname, Mali, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Jordan, Laos, and elsewhere.
The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue is sourced from Dutch government funding (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Blue Deal programme), the European Union, the World Bank, and institutional development partners; no products are sold. Notable programme-level funding includes EUR 12.5M of Dutch funding for regional water management in Burkina Faso, a EUR 1M EU grant for FASO KOOM II, and partner utility investments such as a EUR 70M AFD investment in Tanzania's MORUWASA. Delivery relies on the E-cademy learning platform, UNICEF's open-source mWater asset-registration tool, Hach portable wastewater testing kits, and the Young Expert Programme (YEP). Scale signals include 3.5 million people positively impacted since launch and 60.1 million people reached through partner service areas as of 2024, with a stated 2030 goal of helping 6 million people with clean water and sanitation. Strategic positioning is reinforced by awards (2024 NWB Video Award, 2025 SITAHO Award, 2025 mWater Encouragement Prize) and active participation in convening bodies such as GWOPA, IWA, and the World Urban Forum.
World Waternet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- World Waternet
- Legal name
- Stichting Wereld Waternet
- Website
- https://wereldwaternet.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- World Waternet is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in 2007 that delivers peer-to-peer capacity-building Water Operators' Partnerships with public water utilities across at least 12 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America, funded by grants from the Dutch government, EU, and World Bank.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
World Waternet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Utility Capacity Building Services
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)
Keywords
Where World Waternet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
World Waternet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Grants and Development Funding: World Waternet is a foundation that operates as an NGO. Revenue comes from grants and funding from governments, development banks, and institutional donors to support water cycle management projects and capacity building programs worldwide.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
World Waternet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
World Waternet is a non-profit foundation that supports water utilities and water authorities in developing countries through Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs). It facilitates peer-to-peer capacity building, knowledge exchange, training, and institutional strengthening for sustainable water cycle management. Its work is delivered through programmes such as the Blue Deal and WaterWorX, with field activity across roughly 12 countries.
Product overview
World Waternet is an NGO focused on international water cycle management, operating through Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs) and capacity-building programs. The organization does not offer a commercial software product or SaaS platform. Its work encompasses facilitating peer-to-peer knowledge exchange between water utilities, implementing development programs (Blue Deal, WaterWorX), conducting training, and supporting infrastructure projects across 12 countries. The organization uses digital tools such as mWater for asset management and maintains an E-cademy learning platform, but these are internal operational tools rather than commercial product offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs)
Quantifiable outcome
- 3.5 million people positively impacted through improved water and sanitation access
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use World Waternet
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
World Waternet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
World Waternet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, developing, major and minor.
- Blue DealcoreFlagship partnership program. World Waternet successfully manages five high-impact partnerships within the Blue Deal programme, focusing on water governance, Integrated Water Resources Management, and wastewater management. Supports local water authorities in mobilising investments and fostering social ecology within watersheds.
- WaterWorXcoreLong-term WOPs in WaterWorX programme Phase 2. World Waternet continues long-term Water Operators' Partnerships under this program.
- UNICEFcoreUNICEF's open-source mWater tool is used for asset management training and implementation. Partnership for water utilities digital transformation.
- Waternet FoundationcoreParent organization. World Waternet applies Waternet's privacy and security statement. Waternet is the operational arm for water management in Amsterdam.
- City of AmsterdamcoreClose partnership providing access to Amsterdam's water management expertise and institutional support.
- Amstel, Gooi and Vecht Water AuthoritycoreWater Authority partnership for sending specialists in drinking water, wastewater, and non-revenue water to partner countries.
- Ethiopian Urban Water & Sanitation FederationdevelopingPotential new partnership between the Federation and World Waternet to improve waste management in Ethiopia's water utilities. Participation in Blue Deal workshops.
- GWOPA (Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance)majorGlobal alliance for water operators' partnerships. World Waternet actively participates in GWOPA assemblies and events.
- KCB Group (Kenya)majorStrategic partnership to mobilise commercial and climate finance for the water cycle in Kenya. Focus on investment mobilization in the Kenyan water sector.
- Waterproef LaboratoryminorWaterproef Laboratory and World Waternet continue collaboration for more impact in water testing and quality.
- AgriterraminorPartner in sustainable development project in Burkina Faso.
- WetskillsminorPartnership to foster global water management and capacity building with youth.
- UN-HabitatminorCollaboration for boosting Amman's flood resilience and urban water management.
- Water Footprint ImplementationminorPartnership to drive Water Footprint Compensation Initiative.
- 2iE (International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering)majorHost institution for Africa Water Center in Ouagadougou. MoU signed with World Bank Group and Government of Burkina Faso.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
World Waternet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
World Waternet social profiles
Digital presenceWorld Waternet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
World Waternet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
World Waternet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
World Waternet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about World Waternet
What does World Waternet do?
World Waternet is a non-profit foundation that supports water utilities and water authorities in developing countries through Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs). It facilitates peer-to-peer capacity building, knowledge exchange, training, and institutional strengthening for sustainable water cycle management. Its work is delivered through programmes such as the Blue Deal and WaterWorX, with field activity across roughly 12 countries.
Is World Waternet a public or private company?
World Waternet is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was World Waternet founded?
World Waternet was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is World Waternet based?
World Waternet is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does World Waternet make money?
One revenue line is on record: grants and Development Funding.
Does World Waternet have an API?
No public API is recorded for World Waternet.
What industry is World Waternet in?
World Waternet's product category is Water Utility Capacity Building Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAD, Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection. Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.