Join AWA’s international capacity building partnerships

The Australian Water Association (AWA) is pleased to invite members to express interest in participating in two new capacity-building partnership programs for 2025–2026: the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Pacific Water Knowledge Exchange Program and the Cambodia-Australia Water Partnership Program, supported by DFAT through the CAPRED facility.  

Both programs provide unique opportunities to strengthen international connections and support regional water utilities to build climate resilience, enhance operations, and integrate inclusive, people-centred approaches to service delivery. 

Participation can be flexible according to organisational capacity, ranging from a one-off online workshop or masterclass to deeper involvement over 12 months, including outbound study tours or hosting international partner delegations. 

Fill out the Expression of Interest form here.

Watch this video to find out about our previous partnership programs in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Pacific.   

Pacific Water Knowledge Exchange Program (Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu) 

This multi-country partnership, supported by the ADB and delivered in collaboration with the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA), focuses on strengthening operational and climate resilience capacity of Pacific utilities. The program includes technical exchange, study tours, and online learning, with a strong emphasis on gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI). 

Key Timeline: 

• First outbound study tour to Vanuatu: Late June 2025 

• Partners to be confirmed by late May 2025. 
  
  

We are seeking: 

• Two AWA utility members to join as lead capacity building partners 

• A pool of subject matter experts to contribute across areas including (but not limited to): Non-revenue water reduction; Climate-resilient infrastructure management; Asset planning and maintenance; Customer engagement and billing systems, and; Gender equality and inclusive workforce development.
  

Cambodia-Australia Water Partnership Program  

Building on AWA’s long-standing collaboration in the Mekong region, this program will support water utilities in Phom Penh and Stung Treng in Cambodia to improve water safety, technical capacity, and inclusion through partnership and peer-to-peer learning. 

Key timeline: 

• First outbound engagement planned for July 2025 

• Partners confirmed by early June 2025 
  
  

We are seeking: 

• Two AWA utility members to act as lead capacity building partners 

• AWA service provider members with relevant technical, governance, or GEDSI expertise to support project design and delivery. 
  
  

What expertise are we looking for? 

Across both programs, we welcome expressions of interest from members with expertise in: 

• Water quality monitoring and treatment 

• Asset management and non-revenue water 

• IT and digital tools for water utilities 

• Climate resilience and disaster preparedness 

• GEDSI strategy and implementation in utility settings 

• Leadership and workforce development 
  
  

How to get involved 

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis. As timelines are somewhat tight for the Pacific program, we strongly encourage interested utilities and service providers to submit EOIs by late April 2025 for consideration ahead of Ozwater'25.

Fill out the EOI form here.

For any questions, please contact the international@awa.asn.au. 

We look forward to working together to share knowledge, foster resilience, and support inclusive, sustainable water management across our region.