WaterAid is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in the United Kingdom, accredited with the EU Transparency Register since January 21, 2011. The organization’s driving mission is to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. WaterAid’s advocacy activities, both in Europe and worldwide, aim to influence government and institutional policies to prioritize these vital services as a foundation for health, education, equity, and poverty reduction.
In the European Union context, WaterAid operates as a registered lobbyist, working to inform and shape EU policy and funding towards water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the world’s poorest and most marginalized communities. Their campaigns target proposals and policies that advance universal access to WASH, correspond with climate change adaptation, and support realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WaterAid approaches EU advocacy through direct engagement with policymakers, coalition-building, and evidence-based lobbying. They regularly participate in high-level meetings with Commissioners and Cabinets, providing technical expertise and policy recommendations pertaining to health, development cooperation, climate resilience, and gender equality.
The organization’s approach is marked by collaboration and partnership. WaterAid works with like-minded NGO networks, thematic alliances, and institutional actors. Their networking activities extend across specialized development and health coalitions, all advocating for improved policy coherence, increased financing, and higher political prioritization of WASH issues.
Financial transparency is central to WaterAid’s operations. Their declared annual lobbying budget in Brussels ranges from €50,000 to €99,999. The majority of the EU funding received is used for programmatic activities in developing countries, not for advocacy or direct lobbying costs. WaterAid employs a small dedicated EU representation team, supported by a wider global network and periodic consultancy engagement.
Although WaterAid is not a member of any official EU institutional group, the organization actively contributes to parliamentary events, ad hoc working groups, and produces authoritative publications on the impact and financing of WASH. Their sustained engagement underscores their commitment to advocating for the world’s disadvantaged populations, ensuring the EU maintains its leadership as a development actor in global water resilience and hygiene.
