Clean water is scarce and is becoming increasingly scarcer as the global population grows, which puts increasing pressure on water resources. Large-scale agribusinesses and factories also use enormous amounts of water. More than one billion people, predominantly in developing countries, have no access to clean drinking water. Two billion people have to make do without sanitation.

In response to the growing water crisis, governments are investing in building large-scale dams, irrigation networks and the canalisation and diversion of rivers.

Technological developments threaten valuable ecosystems and the existence of indigenous peoples who depend on them. Meanwhile, small-scale solutions for water problems are seldom or never used.

Both ENDS supports Southern civil society organisations and networks that are fighting against non-sustainable solutions and trying to come up with alternative approaches to sustainable water management.