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Lennart Silvis reflects on NWP's global impact and 25 years of collaboration

As the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) celebrates its 25th anniversary, former Managing Director Lennart Silvis looks back on a defining period for the organisation. Serving as director from 2011 to 2018, Silvis played a key role in expanding NWP’s international reach and fostering partnerships that have driven impactful water solutions worldwide. In this interview, he reflects on the evolution of the partnership, the milestones achieved during his tenure, and his hopes for the future.

Lennart Silvis
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Marieke Leenhouts
Marieke Leenhouts
Project Manager Marketing, Communications & Events

Building on a solid foundation

Lennart Silvis stepped into the role of NWP Managing Director in 2011, succeeding Jeroen van der Sommen. At that point, NWP had already established itself as a unified voice for the Dutch water sector, with a solid membership base. However, Silvis saw an opportunity to take the organisation further by focusing on international collaboration and capacity building. "From the start, the partnership approach was at the core of NWP’s vision," Silvis recalls. "We laid out a strategic framework called Water 2020, which emphasized shared goals and ambitions for the future of the Dutch water sector. This built a strong sense of trust and commitment among the diverse members of our network." 

The Water 2020 strategy introduced nine key elements, including investments in research and innovation, attention to education and the labour market, and balancing export opportunities with global sustainability. These goals resonated with private sector companies, knowledge institutions, NGOs, and the national government, positioning NWP to lead the creation of major initiatives such as the Young Expert Programme Water together (co-created with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and to further develop the Partners for Water Programme together with RVO and its legal predecessors, coordinated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water. During his tenure, NWP became a key player in several Dutch government-led programmes, collaborating closely with ministries to co-create and coordinate highly effective programmes which are still active today and with a long trajectory of achieving water impact in the world.

Fostering partnerships and international cooperation

While partnership-building was a fundamental goal, Silvis notes that his vision for NWP extended beyond that. The challenge lay in keeping the sector engaged while addressing increasingly complex global water issues. "The growing focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 gave us fresh momentum, as did the rising awareness of the increasingly severe impact of climate change, and the ‘aid and trade’ agenda of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs" Silvis explains. "We developed specialised working groups focused on areas like water and food, and water and energy. We also worked to ensure our international presence, as events like trade missions and the Amsterdam International Water Week positioned Dutch water expertise on a global stage."

Effective communication was crucial in these efforts. Silvis emphasizes the importance of aligning the interests of diverse stakeholders - private companies, government bodies, and NGOs - while maintaining transparency about NWP’s goals and activities. "It was essential to listen carefully and engage all partners in meaningful ways, and to explain why certain initiatives were being prioritised." Over time, NWP’s partnership model evolved to focus more on mutual benefits between the Dutch water sector and international partners. "It became less about simply exporting Dutch solutions and more about fostering true collaboration with a global impact," Silvis says

Amsterdam International Water Week

''NWP’s partnership model became less about simply exporting Dutch solutions and more about fostering true collaboration with a global impact.''

Lennart Silvis

NWP Director from 2011 to 2018

Proudest accomplishments

Looking back at his seven years as NWP’s director, Silvis takes the most pride in how the NWP team was able to organise impactful events that shaped the future of the global water sector. "Our trade missions and strategic events, particularly the Amsterdam International Water Week, were real highlights," he says. "The feedback we received from participants - how these events helped launch projects or businesses - was incredibly rewarding. Creating meaningful impact was always the goal."

That emphasis on driving real-world outcomes continues to influence Silvis in his current role at Royal HaskoningDHV, where he applies the lessons learned from his NWP years. "Today still, NWP’s activities serve as a catalyst for global water innovation, and I’m proud to have been and continue to be a part of that."

''Today still, NWP’s activities serve as a catalyst for global water innovation, and I’m proud to have been and continue to be a part of that."

Lennart Silvis

NWP Director from 2011 to 2018

Looking ahead: Cooperation for the future

As NWP marks its 25th anniversary, Silvis reflects on the organisation’s defining characteristic: its commitment to collaboration. "The water challenges we face today are more complex than ever, and tackling them requires a collective effort," he says. "Neither government nor private entities can solve these issues on their own. NWP provides the platform to bring together diverse voices, to foster collaboration and dialogue, creating actionable outcomes and solutions."

Looking to the future, Silvis hopes that the 25th-anniversary celebration will inspire new partnerships and initiatives. "In recent years, society has become more individualistic, even as water-related challenges have become more complex. Now more than ever, we need a unified, collaborative approach that extends beyond water to address broader issues of climate resilience."

As for his wish for the Dutch water sector, Silvis emphasizes the ongoing importance of innovation and cooperation in the face of global challenges. "The SDG 2030 agenda is a clear reminder that the work is far from over. My hope is that NWP and its members will continue to rise to the challenge and lead the way in creating sustainable water solutions worldwide."

NWP to continue to lead the way

As NWP celebrates 25 years of driving impact in the global water sector, Lennart Silvis's reflections highlight the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to solving complex water challenges. With a solid foundation in place and a future focused on partnerships, NWP is well-positioned to continue leading the way in sustainable water solutions for decades to come.

''With a solid foundation in place and a future focused on partnerships, NWP is well-positioned to continue leading the way in sustainable water solutions for decades to come.''

Lennart Silvis

NWP Director from 2011 to 2018