Noordwijk, Netherlands, 12 May 2026 – The water and space technology sectors came together at the European Space Agency’s European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, to explore how space-enabled solutions can help address some of the most pressing challenges facing water and sanitation service providers.
The Water Operators’ Partnership between Hamburg Wasser, Germany, and eThekwini, South Africa, has shown how utility-to-utility cooperation can translate operational exchange into measurable results, from cutting water losses to advancing work on wastewater and resource recovery. As the first phase concluded in 2025, the partnership stood out for pairing practical improvements on the ground with broader institutional strengthening. The cooperation is now set to continue under a new partnership in the European Union Water Operators’ Partnership Programme 2 until 2030.
San Salvador/ Mar del Plata – At a wastewater treatment plant on the outskirts of El Salvador’s capital San Salvador, technicians introduce new routines learned from Argentine peers. Just months ago, many of the country’s 22 plants were working below capacity, leaving rivers polluted and nearby communities at risk.
La presente publicación ofrece orientaciones detalladas sobre la manera en que los operadores que reúnan los requisitos pueden presentar propuestas en el marco del Programa EU-WOP 2, gestionado por GWOPA y financiado por la Unión Europea. Incluye información sobre los objetivos del programa, el proceso y el calendario de presentación, los criterios de admisibilidad, las ventanas de financiación y los ejes temáticos. Asimismo, describe los tipos de asociaciones y actividades admisibles, las normas financieras y el proceso de selección.
La présente publication fournit des orientations détaillées sur la manière dont les opérateurs admissibles peuvent soumettre une proposition dans le cadre de la deuxième phase du programme EU-WOP, géré par le GWOPA et financé par l’Union européenne. Elle présente les objectifs du programme, le processus de candidature et le calendrier, les critères d’admissibilité, les fenêtres de financement ainsi que les leviers thématiques. Elle décrit également les types de partenariats et d’activités admissibles, les règles financières et le processus de sélection.
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia – In a major step towards modernising urban water services, the Bahir Dar Water Supply and Sewerage Service is undertaking a full-scale digital transformation to enhance operations and boost efficiency. Customers are already seeing the benefits through more accurate billing, faster service and a reduction in complaints.
The utility has long faced challenges due to discrepancies between recorded customer data and actual service conditions. These gaps often led to billing errors, revenue losses and customer complaints.
Este folleto ofrece una visión general de la segunda fase del Programa de Asociaciones entre Operadores de Agua de la Unión Europea (EU-WOP), liderado por la Alianza Global de Asociaciones entre Operadores de Agua (GWOPA) de ONU-Hábitat. En él se describen el proceso de presentación de solicitudes, las ventanas de financiación, los criterios de admisibilidad y los plazos clave para las entidades interesadas en establecer o ampliar asociaciones entre operadores homólogos.
Cette brochure présente un aperçu de la deuxième phase du Programme de Partenariats entre Opérateurs de l’Eau de l’Union européenne (EU-WOP), mis en œuvre sous la direction de l’Alliance mondiale des Partenariats entre Opérateurs de l’Eau (GWOPA) d’ONU-Habitat. Elle expose les modalités de candidature, les fenêtres de financement, les critères d’éligibilité ainsi que les principales échéances pour les opérateurs souhaitant établir ou renforcer des partenariats entre pairs.
The European Union Water Operators’ Partnerships (EU-WOP) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by GWOPA/UN-Habitat, supports peer-to-peer partnerships between water and sanitation operators. These partnerships strengthen service delivery, build institutional capacity, and expand equitable access to safely managed water and sanitation, particularly for underserved communities.
An information session on the newly launched EU-WOP 2 Call for Proposals will be held on 22 July. The session will include:
This brochure provides an overview of the second phase of the European Union Water Operators’ Partnerships Programme (EU-WOP), led by UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA). It outlines the application process, funding windows, eligibility criteria and key deadlines for utilities wishing to form or expand peer partnerships. The brochure also highlights inspiring WOP stories and the tools available to help applicants find partners and submit strong proposals.