20 Years NWB Fund: working and learning together

Twenty years of international cooperation on water: that was the milestone celebrated by the NWB Fund on Thursday, 8 October, at Het Oude Magazijn in Amersfoort. Together with its partners and stakeholders, the Fund reflected on the past and looked ahead to the future. At the heart of the event was the question of how international cooperation contributes to better water management and what we can learn from one another.

Since its establishment by NWB Bank in 2006, the NWB Fund has supported the international activities of Dutch water authorities. The anniversary provided an opportunity to recognise the people, projects and partnerships that have contributed to this work.

"Twenty years ago, the NWB Fund was founded on the principle of solidarity. Today, we build on that foundation through equality and mutual learning. No one has all the answers. It is precisely by remaining curious about one another that we strengthen our cooperation. In that sense, water flows both ways," said Goos den Hartog, one of the NWB Fund's board members.

Reciprocity as a Starting Point

International cooperation begins with sharing knowledge and experience. But those who work together also learn from one another. Reciprocity was therefore the central theme of the anniversary celebration: what do Dutch water authorities contribute, what do they learn from their international partners, and how can partnerships based on equality be put into practice?

The keynote addresses by Mirjam Vossen and Mpho Tutu van Furth complemented each other. Mirjam demonstrated how unconscious frames can hinder partnerships based on equality. Mpho showed how cooperation can be built on mutual respect for each other's strengths. Both speakers encouraged participants to reflect critically on their own perspectives: how do we perceive our partners, and what does that mean for the way we work together?

The Influence of Language and Perceptions

Mirjam Vossen explored reciprocity through the lens of language. Following a short quiz, she demonstrated how frames shape our understanding of international cooperation. Contrasts such as victim versus perpetrator, or developed versus disadvantaged, can unconsciously reinforce unequal relationships and stand in the way of reciprocal cooperation with the Global South.

She explored different perspectives on reciprocity, including equality, two-way exchange and mutual benefit. Her communication recommendations included giving people the opportunity to speak for themselves, making project achievements visible on project websites, and highlighting what Dutch partners themselves learn from international cooperation.

Investing in People Makes the Difference

While Mirjam highlighted the patterns of thinking that can obstruct cooperation, Mpho Tutu van Furth, a South African priest, author and human rights activist, emphasised the human foundations of successful partnerships.

Alongside the question, "What are we building?", she posed an equally fundamental question: "Who are we building it with?" Getting to know one another, understanding each other's histories and respecting everyone's dignity are essential foundations for partnerships that endure.

She connected the African emphasis on people and relationships, rooted in the philosophy of ubuntu — "I am because we are" — with the Western focus on efficiency and results. In international cooperation, these approaches can reinforce one another, while respecting the unique strengths of each partner.

A functioning water pipeline is a visible achievement. But the relationships between the people who worked together to make it happen are what give that achievement lasting value.

"Success should be measured twice: is water flowing through the pipeline, and are the people who worked on it more strongly connected? It is the second measure that ensures the first achievement will last."

— Mpho Tutu van Furth

A Conversation That Deserves to Continue

During the roundtable discussions, participants actively exchanged experiences and insights. What do equality and reciprocity require of organisations and professionals, and how can these principles be translated into everyday practice?

After an hour, the conversations were far from over. As one participant observed: "We have only just begun, and we need to continue having this conversation much more often."

International Cooperation in Focus

The presentation of the NWB Award 2026 also reflected the theme of reciprocity. The submitted videos showcased international cooperation on water management, highlighting the knowledge and experiences shared between partners.

This year's award went to Blue Deal Peru (see separate article on our website).

Moving Forward Together

The anniversary was also an opportunity to look ahead. How can we further strengthen international partnerships? How can we demonstrate that reciprocity is at the heart of our projects? And how can we ensure that the knowledge and experience gained through international cooperation benefit both our international partners and water management practices in the Netherlands?

We would like to thank all speakers, participants and partners for their contributions to this anniversary event and to twenty years of the NWB Fund.

Together, we will continue working towards better water management, creating opportunities to share knowledge and learn from one another.