In this Impact Innovation Report, we look back on the first two years of Water Wise Societies and it is clear that stakeholder engagement is carrying us forward. But to go all the way, we need to continue to engage existing stakeholders while engaging new ones in working towards the mission.
“After the first two years of Water Wise Societies, I am impressed and proud of the great engagement and activity we have already started!”, says Magnus Arnell, Program Manager of Water Wise Societies. “We have launched the largest investment in water research and innovation that Sweden has ever seen. Together we have laid the foundations for something that is already making a difference – growing engagement, new collaborations and a deeper understanding of what it takes to create sustainable water for all.”
The program in figures
- The program has set the direction for the mission through 3 sub-objectives that are concretized in 10 missions.
- Granted 52 projects contributing to the system-wide transition from source to coast.
- The 80 members of the program drive direction and action and learn together about the transition.
- 202 people have participated on one or more occasions in the physical meetings of the program in the transition arena.
- Among all members of the Programme Office, the Steering Group and the Advisory Groups, who have participated in the transition arena or lead projects funded by the Programme, 55% are women and 45% men.
- We see a great breadth in our project portfolio and through active analysis and management, the Programme Office can identify where the transition is most needed, but also where interventions have the greatest potential to create impact.
The way forward: cooperation creates power
We are off to a good start thanks to the strong will for change of all involved. But we are humbled by the task, the mission is broad and the tasks complex.
What is needed going forward?
- Transforming: We need to take the results of projects that have been launched further towards implementation and transformation.
- Engaging more: We need to increase the engagement of currently underrepresented sectors through new partnerships.
- Finding the levers: We need to find the interventions that make the biggest difference and tell the story of how we are changing together.
It is the meeting of people that will allow us to reach our goals. Members see Water Wise Societies as a unique environment to solve big systemic challenges. Small organizations feel that they are supported by the larger players who in turn feel a responsibility to lead the way and create results that everyone can benefit from. The fact that the initiative exists and that the projects bring people together, learn from each other and start important work together is what will help us achieve the Sustainable Water for All 2050 mission.
