

JOINING THE FRESHWATER CHALLENGE
The Freshwater Challenge operates as a voluntary, country-led initiative open to:
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New country members;
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Supporting Non-State Actors; and
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Member Countries:
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​In 2023, the Freshwater Challenge was chosen as one of the Water Outcomes of COP28 in the United Arab Emirates – providing an ideal platform for governments to commit to the Challenge. Thirty-eight countries seized the opportunity to join the challenge at a Ministerial event in Dubai, which was co-hosted by the COP28 Presidency. The Challenge has continued to build on the momentum generated in Dubai and, along with the European Union, there are now 50 country members of the Freshwater Challenge:
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​Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, DR Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, UAE, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.​​​​​​​
Countries may join the FWC by making a commitment to establish quantifiable targets (in hectares and/or kilometres) by 2025 in their national plans to restore and conserve freshwater ecosystems, thereby contributing to the achievement of national and/or global commitments by 2030. Those targets can be incorporated into national and/or international plans, such as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Climate Action Pathway for Water, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), Sustainable Development Plans, National Plans for Networks of Wetlands, among others.
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To join, please contact Info@FreshwaterChallenge.org
Non-State Partners:
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UN Water and FAO are ‘Global Supporting Partners’ of the Challenge. UNEP and FAO are the lead agencies for the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, which the FWC goals support. Global or national supporting partners are recognised as organisations supporting FWC implementation in member countries.
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Additional non-state partners are welcome to join the FWC as supporting partners and will need to make a public commitment to align their organisation's strategy with the purpose of the FWC and make clear, voluntary commitments of resources and/or capacity to support the delivery of the FWC. On that basis, international non-state partners can express their interest in becoming a Global Supporting Partner of the FWC by contacting info@freshwaterchallenge.org. National non-state partners can apply to their national contact point through the same email: the FWC can help to identify this national contact point, once interest is expressed.
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Business Supporter Program:
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Businesses have a critical role to play to help member countries achieve the ambitious goals of the FWC. As collective action will be key to driving progress, the Challenge has launched a Business Supporter Program (BSP) to facilitate this.
The BSP offers an opportunity for companies to contribute directly to global water goals; reduce water-related impacts, risks and dependencies; align with emerging sustainability frameworks, and government plans and strategies; build on existing initiatives and platforms; and demonstrate leadership in protecting and restoring critical natural resources. The Program will also foster public-private sector collaboration and alignment.
Businesses that join the BSP will support freshwater restoration and protection work, and disclose the impacts of these activities. They will also publicly support and promote the Freshwater Challenge to accelerate action and encourage others to join the programme.​
GSK, Reckitt and EDEKA became the first companies to officially join the Business Supporter Program in June. Other interested businesses are encouraged to read this overview of the Program and the FAQ as well as the Terms of Participation and Letter of Support - and also to reach out to info@freshwaterchallenge.org to discuss their interest and scope of potential support.​​
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SUPPORT TO MEMBERS
The main role of the Core and relevant Supporting partners of the Freshwater Challenge at both global and national levels is to leverage resources and capacities - including financial, technical, and policy - to support member countries to accelerate the implementation of their national targets.
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​The type of support will be decided and requested by each country based on needs and national circumstances. Support can also be provided at regional and basin levels, where resources allow.
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Currently, there are four Working Groups through which the member countries are supported and the Challenge is further operationalized:
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Policy Support and Advocacy
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Private Sector Engagement
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Resource Mobilisation
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Technical Assistance and Knowledge Sharing
The FWC provides a platform for member countries to coordinate and collaborate in two areas to accelerate delivery of freshwater commitments.
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Knowledge-sharing and capacity-building
Access to freshwater-related data, information and expertise is critical to (i) understand the social, economic, and environmental risks, and costs associated with the degradation of freshwater ecosystems as well as quantifying the benefits derived from healthy freshwater ecosystems; (ii) prevent disaster and build effective early-warning systems; (iii) develop carbon strategies for freshwater systems to ensure natural functioning for carbon storage and flows; and (iv) successfully identify measures and target funding.
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Online Technical and Policy Content
Provided funding is available, an online compendium of content will be developed to provide member countries with access to best practice policy, scientific and technical advice and to highlight existing resources and platforms to support members’ efforts to:
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Identify and prioritise the freshwater ecosystems within their territories to restore and conserve;
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Identify effective techniques, technologies, and management and policy approaches for undertaking freshwater ecosystem restoration and conservation, including within existing and future protected and conserved areas;
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Develop implementation plans and budgets for national budgeting and external funding proposals;
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Develop, reform and implement policies and legislation that enable effective and sustained freshwater ecosystem conservation and restoration;
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Monitor, evaluate and report on impact; and
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Share case studies and lessons learned.
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In line with the ‘lean and efficient’ principle, the FWC will avoid as much as possible any duplication of existing material or creation of new material, but rather link to other relevant content platforms and ensure interoperability with existing platforms.
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Capacity Building coordination
An important function of the FWC is to coordinate peer learning and the sharing of case studies and lessons learned so as to promote best practices and develop the capacity of teams implementing measures in member countries. Funding permitting, this should be achieved in an efficient and effective manner through briefings, country reports, publications, webinars and online and in person meetings and workshops. Through regular meetings and discussions among member countries and partners, knowledge gaps will be identified, and opportunities explored to address these gaps and promote effective implementation.
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Resource Mobilisation for Implementation
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Resource mobilisation is key to achieving the goals of the FWC, including facilitating access to funding and promoting voluntary contributions. Resources can be mobilised through national budgets and coordinated across government sectors. Beyond national funding, (existing) external sources can also be identified and secured. The Challenge will help countries leverage resources through existing initiatives, programmes and funds. The private sector and developed country members are encouraged to play an active role in financing the FWC's implementation at the country level.
Resources permitting, Core and relevant Supporting Partners can provide technical and policy support and guidance (targeted financing strategies, financial mechanisms, partnerships etc.) to member countries to access funds and connect them to potential donors or accelerators, which can support the setting and achievement of FWC targets.
While funding for national implementation of restoration and conservation efforts ideally flows directly to members, some governments face challenges in receiving funds. In these cases, other trusted partners can act as intermediaries for managing funds and overseeing project implementation in-country.​
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Core and Supporting Partners will also aim to facilitate coordination and inclusivity, including alignment across multilateral agreements and frameworks; whole-of-government approach; whole-of-society contribution; and the inclusion of historically marginalized people and communities.