A Difficult Year, New Horizons Emerge
2025 was an unexpectedly difficult year for the MWA community and many others. Millions around the world did not receive planned, promised water security investments and our sector lost thousands of skilled, trusted, and valued colleagues that have left a gaping hole in our organizations and the programs we are committed to. We mourn the loss of that impact and the many colleagues who are no longer part of our work.
As we close this year of trauma and disruption, this is MWA’s moment to lead the pivot. The old models of funding and delivery are strained, and we cannot afford to be reactive. Our collective mission demands that we embrace urgent, substantive change.
The strength of MWA lies in its members. In the coming year, MWA is focused on delivering a new level of support and impact by first scaling new revenue channels, which means leveraging the versatility of our combined skills and perspectives to attract alternative funding, especially climate finance, and create sustainable new channels for our work. Second, we will be forging essential partnerships by developing novel platforms and powerful, non-traditional collaborations that improve our collective effectiveness and competitiveness. Finally, we are committed to sharing what works by accelerating the analysis of evidence and learning to rapidly fill gaps in our existing service delivery models.
This pivot also presents an opportunity: to holistically connect water security to adjacent sectors. We must actively break down the typical barriers between water and areas like energy, finance, and governance to address climate demands more effectively. This requires us all to think bigger and operate without the traditional sectoral constraints.
This tough year has strained the resilience of our organizations and partner communities, but we firmly believe the way forward is together, with new approaches, and newfound energy and drive.
MWA is proud to be at the center of such a talented, dynamic community and we look forward to a new year of solutions, results, and partnerships. So, onward; let’s make 2026 our strongest year of action yet!