21/08/2026
Youth voices calling for action on water investment beyond infrastructure
August 21, 2026- As part of WaterAid’s Global Young Leaders Programme and in recognition of International Youth Day 2026, WaterAid Ethiopia convened a National Youth-Led Roundtable on Investments for Water at Getfam Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Bringing together young leaders, representatives from government, civil society, community-based organizations, development partners and the media, the dialogue explored how financing, technology, innovation and capacity building can help address Ethiopia’s growing water challenges.
At the heart of the discussion was expanding and refining a draft letter prepared by WaterAid Ethiopia’s youth delegates. The letter targets the governments of France and South Africa, co-chairing the “Investments for Water- Financing, Technology and Innovation, and Capacity Building,” one of the six interactive dialogue themes of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Participants reflected on how the letter could better articulate the realities facing developing countries like Ethiopia and strengthen its call for meaningful global action.
Key recommendations included:
💧 Emphasize the issue of water scarcity: Better shed light on the impacts of water scarcity on communities, economies, health and development in countries such as Ethiopia.
💧 Include practical and innovative water financing means: While addressing the issue of affordability of water services for vulnerable communities.
💧 Put inclusion at the centre: Women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable communities in Ethiopia.
💧 Make every investment count: the call for Increased financing must be accompanied by effective planning, accountability and efficient use of resources to deliver sustainable water services.
💧 Highlight that water investment is not a charity rather a shared responsibility and accountability of developed countries that disproportionately contribute to global climate change leading to water crisis.
A popular insight from most youth participants was the idea of transforming their engagement in such initiatives from consultation to meaningful participation in decision making that shape their present and future.
The recommendations will feed into the draft letter for a powerful ask and advocacy around accelerating action and investment for water beyond infrastructure.
Stay tuned as we progress on this initiative.
