The Swarovski Foundation has unveiled its latest partnership with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, the world’s largest international graduate water education institution, aimed at empowering the next generation of global water leaders from the Global South. By offering scholarships and expert mentorship, this partnership will equip emerging changemakers with the skills, networks, and knowledge needed to safeguard water resources and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations.

The announcement was made at a World Water Week event in Stockholm co-hosted by IHE Delft and the Swarovski Foundation at the Netherlands Booth, with speakers including Jakhya Rahman-Corey, Director of the Swarovski Foundation and Eddy Moors, Rector of IHE Delft.

Driving Collaboration for Water Security

The partnership was also celebrated the following day as the Foundation hosted its first-ever World Water Week event, "Ensuring Water Security: A Sustainable Future through Education, Innovation, and Partnerships." Leading voices from the global water and climate sectors, including IHE Delft, convened to share their own experiences of advancing climate justice and equity, especially for lower-income and marginalised communities.

Moderated by the Foundation’s Director Jakhya Rahman-Corey, Swarovski Foundation’s panellists included:

●       Sundus Al-Ogaidi, Project Assistant of the Water Resources and Ecosystems department of IHE Delft

●       Raquel Luna, Coordinator of Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Brazil, Fundação Amazônia Sustentável and CEO of Instituto Aruma

●       Charlotte Werth, Head of Living Fabrics Lab at Livelabs Institute and Swarovski Foundation’s Creatives for Our Future programme alumna

Reflecting on her past experiences, Sundus Al-Ogaidi, Project Assistant of the Water Resources and Ecosystems department of IHE Delft, said:

"Working in conflict-affected regions has shown me that access to water is not only a matter of infrastructure, but a lifeline for peace, stability, and dignity. World Water Week is an incredible opportunity for water advocates to learn how we can collaborate for better governance, long-term planning and strategic thinking. We are more powerful when we learn from each other, and together, can equip communities with the skills and networks they need to create lasting solutions, even in the most challenging contexts."

Investing in Future Water Leaders

The latest partnership with IHE Delft will grant three full MSc scholarships for studies in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft. Scholars will explore critical topics including water management, sanitation, climate resilience, and environmental governance. Graduates will return to their home countries equipped to drive policy change, strengthen institutional capacity, and deliver solutions at scale.

Speaking on the new partnership, Jakhya Rahman-Corey, Director of the Swarovski Foundation, said:

“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, yet less than 1% of the world’s water is safe and accessible for drinking. Water has no boundaries, and we all share the responsibility for its preservation and protection. Through our partnership with IHE Delft, our priority is to provide quality water education that equips young people from low water security regions with the skills, tools, and networks to address the challenges in their communities. By starting with education, we can empower future leaders to improve water security where it is needed most. Together, we aim to create long-term impact, build climate resilience, and foster a more equitable future, and we are grateful to do this alongside IHE Delft.”

Building on 25 Years of Water Education

The announcement comes as the Foundation marks the 25th anniversary of its flagship Waterschool initiative. Rooted in a belief that water literacy is key to building climate resilience, the Waterschool has reached over 800,000 young people and trained more than 23,000 teachers in over 2,500 schools worldwide and continues to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.