Apply for the fair water action fund

Technical, legal and financial support to help you create a fair water future, in your community.

Apply for the fair water action fund

Water Witness’s Fair Water Action Fund provides grants of between £3,000 and £36,000 GBP, alongside technical and legal support, to organisations in the ‘Global South’ working for water justice.

Open to civil society, media, and research bodies, the Fair Water Action Fund supports:

  • accountability monitoring

  • amplification of citizens’ voices

  • research and investigative journalism on water issues

  • evidence-based advocacy for systems change

We will consider applications that work towards water and sanitation for all.

As well as targeted grants, we can provide reliable, appropriate, and high-quality support, including:

  • technical guidance

  • strategic advice

  • organisational capacity development

Watch our video for information and guidance on applying to the Fair Water Action Fund.

Am I the right fit for the fair water action fund?

The Fair Water Action Fund prioritises applications from countries in the Global South facing physical and economic water scarcity, and initiatives which drive forward water governance and the interrelated challenges of water, climate, nature, and social inequality.

Our initial focus is on the water impacts of multinational corporations, global supply chains, and the performance of governmental institutions in delivering shared water security at national and/or local scales.

We are looking for initiatives that: 

  • Ensure improved water security for communities and ecosystems through equitable and sustainable access to safe water, and/or reduce risks from droughts, floods, pollution, and water conflicts. 

  • Drive systemic change and strengthen water security through policy reforms, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and improved practices among duty bearers such as governments, development partners, and multinational corporations. 

Please watch our applications guidance video and read the Frequently Asked Questions below carefully for full details on criteria, eligibility and deadlines, before applying.

For any further info, you can contact us on actionfund@waterwitness.org

Ready to apply?

Please complete the application form

FAQs

  • The Fair Water Action Fund supports civil society, research, and media organisations in the Global South to enhance accountability monitoring, amplify community voices, conduct research, and advocate for system change to advance water justice and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6. 

  • Eligible entities include Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media organisations, coalitions/networks engaged in water security activities, water and environmental investigative journalists, and researchers/research institutes operating in the Global South. Our first round of funding will prioritise applications from Africa.

  • Grants from the Fair Water Action Fund range from GBP 3,000 to GBP 36,000 per project. For individual applicants, initial financial support typically falls within the GBP 3,000 to GBP 8,000 range, while institutional applicants may apply for any amount within the available range for projects lasting up to 12 months. 

     

    Applicants are encouraged to consider their project's scope and their demonstrated capacity for responsible fund management. The Fair Water Action Fund may consider incremental funding based on the delivery of project milestones and compliance with due diligence requirements corresponding to the funding size applied for. 

  • The fund supports projects that improve water security through activities such as accountability monitoring, citizen voices amplification, investigative research on water-related issues, and evidence-based advocacy for policy change. 

  • The following activities/projects are NOT eligible for support: 

    • Pure academic research without direct practical benefits to water security or water justice.  

    • Attendance at conferences, seminars, or participation in expeditions without a clear plan for application to water security issues and demonstration of impact.  

    • Stand-alone operating costs and business-as-usual activities such as full salaries (of director, manager or administrative staff), rent, utilities, and maintenance expenses.  

  • Projects must be completed within 12 months, however, extensions may be considered for exceptional cases. 

  • Applications will be evaluated based on the rigour of concept/design, potential for transformative change, and capability to deliver.

    Geographically, the focus is on the Global South, with initial priority given to projects in Africa.

    Thematic emphasis includes investigating water impacts of multinational corporations, assessing governmental performance in achieving water security, and related policy advocacy. 

     

    Detailed criteria are outlined in the application form template. 

  • The second-round deadline is 31st July 2025.

    Applications undergo initial screening for eligibility, followed by a detailed review against set criteria. Shortlisted applicants may receive support to develop full proposals, which include an online pitch. Successful applicants will then sign grant agreements outlining support details. 

    The application process spans a maximum of three months, from submission to final grant negotiation and agreement signing. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For the second round of funding: 

    • Applicants must submit their application by 31st July 2025

    • Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 18th August, 2025

    • The full proposal must be submitted by 1st September 2025 

    • Final feedback on proposal evaluation, notification of results, grant negotiation, and agreement signing will be completed by September 30, 2025

    • Successful applicants are expected to commence project implementation by October 1, 2025. 

  • Applications must be completed usingthe application form.

    For assistance or more information, applicants can contact actionfund@waterwitness.org

  • The Fair Water Action Fund is established by Water Witness International and partners including Shahidi wa Maji, Kenya’s Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (KeWASNET), the African Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (ANEW), and the Partnership for Africa Social and Governance Research (PASGR), supported by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO). 

    As a strategic tool for promoting climate resilience and a Just Transition for Water Security, the Fair Water Action Fund will be replenished by multiple donors to empower civil society, researchers, and media in their crucial roles. We invite applications from eligible entities to build a robust network addressing the global water crisis and advocating for water justice. Further calls, ongoing communication, and outreach will guide prioritization of investments based on demand and need. 

    We encourage innovative proposals that contribute to global water justice and sustainability. 

our funders and partners