Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development

🩺 Where healthcare is under pressure due to war, collaboration becomes vital.   As a result of the war, thousands of Ukrainians are in need of specialised medical care. The rehabilitation sector – essential for the physical and mental recovery of war victims – is under immense strain.   The Ukraine Partnership Facility (UPF) supports projects that contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery. One of the initiatives from the first subsidy round focuses on strengthening the country’s rehabilitation sector.   💡 Kseniya Negrutsa-Godska, co-founder of the Netherlands For Ukraine Foundation, shares the insights, challenges and achievements of this project. From launching rehabilitation programmes to training healthcare professionals – it is a powerful example of how international cooperation can make a difference.   Curious to learn more about the impact of the project? Read the full story here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eta7KmNs #UPF #InternationalDevelopment #RVO

🌍💧 Water can be a powerful force. By connecting people, fueling innovation, and strengthening cities, we are riding the wave to a more inclusive and sustainable future. As the climate changes, its effects are being felt everywhere — though not equally. Some regions face droughts; some deal with floods, and others deal with both. From groundwater salinity to unsafe drinking water, social inequality always plays a factor in which people are impacted the most. But as the challenges grow, so do the opportunities to respond to water issues in smarter, fairer, and more collaborative ways. 🤝 At the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, we work with dedicated partners worldwide to turn these challenges into opportunities. Together, we help create resilient, inclusive, and locally rooted water solutions. 🌱 Over the past months, we have shared stories that demonstrate this impact — from cities to rural communities and from emergency response to long-term development. 👉 Swipe through the stories that resonated with us most and see how water is helping shape a better future, one partnership at a time. Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support (DRRS), Partners for Water, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat #RVOwater

🌍 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most disaster-prone places in the world. Their vulnerability is increasing as climate risks intensify—yet their capacity to prepare and respond is often limited. The Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support (DRRS) programme rapidly deploys technical expertise to support countries facing disaster risk challenges. This includes SIDS, which can request support on growing climate and water-related issues. We are looking for professionals with hands-on working experience in SIDS contexts to support those efforts. 👉 Do you have experience working in or with SIDS on water management, water safety, water supply or climate (finance)? Join the DRRS expert pool and help strengthen resilience where needed. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ePcmQx9h Jasper van der Werff ten Bosch, Pieter van Sloten #RVOwater #DRRS

🌍 When change is locally-led, climate resilience grows. The Vallée du Niger Programme shows how local leadership drives sustainable development in Niger. In a country facing both droughts and floods, effective natural resource management is vital for a climate-proof future. 💧 In Niamey, riverside communities live in a fragile balance between fertile land and water access while also facing severe flood risks, which sometimes force them to leave their homes. 🚧 Elsewhere in the city, one of the subsidy projects is paving a central road divider to create a recreational space and help prevent sand from blocking roadside drains. Together with local communities, NGOs and the Nigerien government, 31 subsidy projects known as Projets sans Regrets (Projects without Regret) were approved in 2024, with many more on the way in 2025. By putting the people of Niger at the forefront, we are creating a future where natural resource management is guided by local expertise — making it more inclusive and sustainable. 🌱 This locally-led approach is supported by RVO, ensuring long-term impact and meaningful collaboration. Ingeborg Krukkert, Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) #RVOwater

In a country of rivers and deltas, climate change has transformed farming practices. Welcome to Bangladesh, where locals are reclaiming control of their climate future. For decades, vulnerable communities have had decisions made for them, not by them. Uttaran , a social development organisation, is working to change that. 💪 Through the Reversing the Flow (RtF) programme, Uttaran empowers people to take control of their future. Instead of funding pre-set solutions, the programme enables communities to define their priorities—whether it’s securing land, fresh water, or shelter. 🔄 Locally-led adaptation creates real impact. In an interview, Zahid Shashoto from Uttaran revealed a striking pattern: in group settings, villagers echoed the needs of more powerful community members, like roads connecting to shrimp farms. However, deeper conversations revealed their genuine priorities—flood-resistant homes, safe drinking water, and accessible healthcare. 💬 Zahid Amin Shashoto: “Uttaran means ‘transition’ in Bangladeshi. We want to reshape the social landscape to adapt to climate change and improve overall well-being.” 💡 Connecting Dutch and Bangladeshi water expertise is key. Through RVO’s Reversing the Flow (RtF) programme, communities can use funding to address their most urgent needs.

💧 Water is more than just a resource; it's a vital force that sustains life and connects us all. From communities to ecosystems, water plays a critical role in our everyday lives, and the challenges we face today require collective action.   Floods, droughts, and a lack of safe drinking water seriously affect water security in vulnerable regions, and addressing these challenges requires innovative, sustainable solutions.   At RVO, we are committed to working alongside global partners to tackle water-related issues. Together, we aim to create sustainable, accessible, and resilient water systems that empower communities everywhere.   🤝 Whether it's enhancing infrastructure, tackling pollution, or sharing knowledge, we believe in the power of collaboration to bring about lasting change. #RVOwater #WaterSecurity

💧 Too much, too little and too dirty water seriously affect the water security in vulnerable regions. 🌍 💡 The Netherlands is committed to achieving sustainable water security for all by sharing knowledge, fostering innovation, and accelerating digitalisation. Our goals for 2030 include providing 30 million people with access to clean drinking water and 50 million with sanitation facilities, improving river basin management and delta safety for 20 million people, and optimising water use in agriculture. ⬇️ Below are some highlights of what our projects have achieved up to 2024. Together with our partners, we continue to connect people, knowledge and innovation to enhance water security globally.

The United Nations theme for Zero Waste Day this year on 30 March—"Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles"—highlights a major issue: fashion’s waste and water footprint. 🌍💧 This image, taken by Cynthia Van Elk as part of the Water as Leverage programme, shows how textile waste pollutes vital water sources. Every year, 92 million tonnes of clothing are in landfills or waterways. The fashion industry is also a top water consumer and polluter: 👖 One pair of jeans = 7,500 litres of water 🌊 Textile dyeing = 20% of global wastewater 🗑️ 87% of textiles = landfill or incineration A zero waste approach means choosing circular fashion, sustainable materials, and mindful consumption. Less waste means cleaner water and healthier communities. 💡 What’s one step you’ll take towards zero waste fashion? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #RVOwter #ZeroWasteDay #UN #WaterAsLeverage

🌍 A silent crisis: Salinity in African countries 🌱 As populations grow, so does the demand for land, water, and food. But when salt builds up in soils and groundwater, agriculture suffers—threatening livelihoods, food security, and migration patterns. Across Africa, over 80 million hectares of land are salt-affected, causing losses of $27.3 billion each year. Climate change is worsening the problem. The 2024 Salinity in African Countries report highlights three key findings: 🔹 Beyond the coast – Research on salinity often focuses on coastal areas, while some inland regions, like Ethiopia, are also severely affected. 🔹 Food at risk – As salt levels rise, soil quality declines. When farmers struggle to grow crops, they’re forced to leave their land, pushing more people into poverty. 🔹 Funding & policy gap – International initiatives exist, but funding gaps remain. Many countries lack long-term policies to support farmers and economic growth. Despite the challenges, there are ways to reduce the impact of salinity. Better data, policies, and investment are key to helping African countries prepare for a climate-proof future. 📖 Read the full report below 👇

🌊 Why is safeguarding groundwater important? 🌍 Groundwater is essential for communities, agriculture, and industry. Yet, this vital resource is under threat. 💬 Michel de Zwart, Groundwater Expert at RVO: "We demand quite a lot from our groundwater. We need more knowledge and data on water in development projects. People must know what they are doing when their project involves groundwater. Not only do we need to be more aware, but we also need more insight into the availability and quality of water." Read more about why we must act now ⬇️ #RVOwater #WaterSecurity #ClimateChange