Oxfam Novib joins the Netherlands Water Partnership

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Mr. Pepijn Gerrits, Director of Programmes Oxfam Novib signing the partnership agreement

Contact

Arjan Braamskamp

Head of Business Relations

+31 70 304 3700

a.braamskamp@nwp.nl

The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) is delighted to welcome Oxfam Novib as its newest member, as well as a participant in the NGO Water Platform and its policy group. With nearly 70 years of experience in development, humanitarian aid, and advocacy, Oxfam Novib brings decades of expertise and a global perspective to the Dutch water sector.

About Oxfam Novib

Oxfam Novib works to tackle inequality at its roots, creating a world that is inclusive, fair, safe, and sustainable. The organisation supports communities affected by crises, climate change, and social injustice, while campaigning for systemic change.

With over 300,000 donors in the Netherlands and a team of 300 staff based in The Hague, Oxfam Novib works closely with Oxfam country offices and partners around the world. By combining financial and organisational support with expertise and advocacy, Oxfam Novib is dedicated to tackling global inequality and driving lasting change.

Oxfam Novib’s work focuses on four key themes.

Climate justice: Supporting smallholders to adapt to climate change, advocating for land rights, and linking water management to sustainable food and agriculture.
Equal rights and opportunities: Promoting social justice, civic space, gender equality, and inclusion across all levels.
Humanitarian aid and recovery: Providing assistance and fostering local leadership in conflict zones, disaster relief, and post-crisis reconstruction.
Fair economy: Advocating for fair trade, just labour practices, tax justice and economic systems that reduce inequality. Address private and financial sector

Water is at the heart of the climate crisis. Ensuring communities have access to water, and that governance is inclusive and equitable, is central to our work. Joining NWP allows us to expand our river programmes, link up with researchers and private sector partners, and engage in multi-stakeholder solutions for integrated water management.

Gerard Steehouwer | Manager of the Green Climate Resilience Unit at Oxfam Novib

Why join NWP?

Oxfam Novib joined NWP because water is central to climate resilience. For Oxfam Novib, water is key in addressing the climate crisis. Ensuring that communities have equitable access to water and that governance is inclusive is a growing priority for the organisation. Steehouwer explains that "Membership allows us to connect with researchers, private sector partners, and other stakeholders, strengthen our living river programmes and enhance climate resilience, contribute to joint learning, and benefit from networking opportunities across the Dutch water sector."

Becoming part of the NGO Water Platform

"Joining the NGO Water Platform enables Oxfam Novib to bring a broader concept of inclusive water governance into multi-stakeholder discussions, linking ecosystem-based approaches with climate resilience strategies. Participation in the policy group allows the organisation to contribute to policy development, share lessons and voices from the field, and ensure that water governance discussions reflect the rights and needs of the most vulnerable communities", Steehouwer says.

Through these memberships, Oxfam Novib strengthens its role in promoting inclusive, sustainable, and equitable water governance, while collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to address global water and climate challenges. Steehouwer concludes; "Water connects all aspects of climate, livelihoods, and social justice, and by working with NWP and the NGO Water Platform, we can make a real difference."