Funding
The following external support agencies generously fund the implementation of UN-Water’s work.
Austria – Austrian Development Agency (ADA)
Germany – German Development Aid Agency (GIZ)
Sweden – Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
Switzerland – Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
The Netherlands – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS)
The Netherlands – Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
The following external support agencies generously fund UN-Water’s mission, not necessarily through the Interagency Trust Fund, by supporting UN-Water initiatives including: the UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI – SDG 6), the United Nations World Water Development Report, the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP), the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-water (GLAAS), and the UN-Water SDG 6 Capacity Development Initiative (CDI).
Germany – Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Italy – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Spain – Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges
The Netherlands – Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS)
United Kingdom – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
United States – United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Water and Sanitation ODA
Official Development Assistance (ODA) is essential for bridging financing gaps and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation for All. Beyond direct service delivery, ODA strengthens global water governance, supports international cooperation, and invests in water as a global public good to enhance long-term resilience and equitable access.
Water transcends borders and requires collective action. ODA leverages sustainable and equitable water management, promotes peace and security, and supports policy frameworks, transboundary cooperation, and international institutions for long-term water security.
ODA also sustains global water processes, keeping water high on the development agenda through initiatives like UN Water Conferences and the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation.
Strong collaboration between governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society is key to maximizing impact. By aligning financial flows with global priorities, we can accelerate progress toward a future where safe water and sanitation are accessible to all, and water is managed as a shared resource for resilience and prosperity.