Fair Water Action Fund – Open Grant Programme (Round 3+)

Summary

The Fair Water Action Fund is actively accepting applications for grants to fund water-justice research and advocacy projects globally. With 13 grants already awarded (£378k+) across 30+ countries, a third round is now open with growing geographic reach beyond Sub-Saharan Africa.

Score breakdown

Evidence

“Interested? Find out more and apply by clicking the button below... Applications have predominantly come from Sub‑Saharan Africa, reflecting our initial geographical focus. But the fund now has a global reach, with growing interest from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa.”

What changed on the page

We are incredibly grateful that this project is supported by funding and delivery partners:
Shahidi wa Maji, KeWASNET, ANEW, PASGR, the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the UK FCDO.
Interested? Find out more and apply by clicking the button below.
The Impact so far
Launched in 2024, the Fair Water Action Fund initially received 95 applications from 20+ countries.
In March 2025, we awarded our first 6 grants (£152,993 GDP), to improve water security for over 273,200 people.
The number of applications increased to over 800 from more than 30 countries in the second round, of which we have since awarded another 7 grants (£225,373 GDP).
Applications have predominantly come from Sub‑Saharan Africa, reflecting our initial geographical focus.
But the fund now has a global reach, with growing interest from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa.
“This is a very innovative fund. FWAF deliberately connects the process of generating data with actors who can translate that evidence into practical outcomes. That is a very important aspect of the fund’s design and purpose.”
Reviews from Fund grantees
... on the importance of the Fund for evidence generation: “It is the first study that puts water footprints into the country’s policy discussion, especially in relation to global consumption patterns.”
... on the importance of the Fund for evidence generation:
“It is the first study that puts water footprints into the country’s policy discussion, especially in relation to global consumption patterns.”
... on helping to influence change at government level: “As a result of our findings, one of the mines was temporarily closed (so the government could assess the situation).”
... on helping to influence change at government level:
“As a result of our findings, one of the mines was temporarily closed (so the government could assess the situation).”
... on how working with communities is vital “We used community screenings (of the film we produced) across the country not just as film events but as spaces for discussion and mobilisation around water access and water rights.”
... on how working with communities is vital
“We used community screenings (of the film we produced) across the country not just as film events but as spaces for discussion and mobilisation around water access and water rights.”
... on forging strong networks: “The project created momentum, partnerships, and new initiatives - including the Women’s Water Caucus - that are still developing today.”
... on forging strong networks:
“The project created momentum, partnerships, and new initiatives - including the Women’s Water Caucus - that are still developing today.”
Completed grants
Although the grants differ in location and in the specific challenges they address, they share a common purpose: to identify where and how basic human rights to water are being violated, and to propose grounded practical solutions that can rebuild trust in our institutions and sectors.
By equipping decision makers with better information, fostering partnerships between communities and duty bearers, and leveraging the law to demand accountability, our partners are collectively pursuing a future in which water use is both sustainable and equitable for all.
Community Water Alliance
Location: ZimbabweGrant: £15,000 GBP
CWA uncovered evidence of mining pollution affecting communities across five mining hotspots and used these findings to influence district and government policies for improved corporate accountability. Their evidence contributed to fines being issued to several multinational mining companies operating in Goromonzi.
What's next?
CWA is preparing litigation in Buhera District, contributing evidence to the review of Zimbabwe's Water Act, and calling for greater transparency around Environmental Impact Assessments.
CODEH-Ica
Location: PeruGrant: £36,000 GBP
CODEH-Ica strengthened water justice by documenting severe household water insecurity and inequities in one of Peru's most water-stressed regions. The project also trained more than 300 community leaders, farmers and workers to engage in water governance and citizen monitoring.
What's next?
CODEH-Ica is using evidence from the project and strengthened community networks to advance more transparent and equitable water management in the Ica Valley.
Equality Collective
Location: Eastern Cape, South AfricaGrant: £20,000 GBP
Equality Collective expanded its community-led monitoring model by training community monitors and residents to track water access and hold duty-bearers accountable. The approach improved water reliability for 65,000 residents and helped drive municipal repairs and maintenance.
What's next?
The organisation is sharing lessons from the project and continuing to contribute to national policy discussions on public service delivery and water governance.
Dr Ismail El Hassnaoui
Location: MoroccoGrant: £36,000 GBP
Dr El Hassnaoui's research revealed how European demand for Moroccan produce is contributing to groundwater depletion, exposed governance and enforcement failures, and produced a seven-priority Transformation Roadmap for improving water stewardship across the agricultural value chain.
What's next?
The Transformation Roadmap is informing engagement with government institutions and international partners to strengthen accountability and water stewardship across Morocco's agricultural sector.
Get in touch
If you would like more information on the Fair Water Action Fund, email [email protected].
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Lines added since the previous fetch. Comparison is line-level; no removed-text shown in v1.

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