What we do
Water poses a serious challenge to every part of the world. Too many people remain without access to water and sanitation. This makes their lives difficult: their health suffers and prosperity remains out of reach. Increasingly frequent and severe droughts and floods - a result of climate change - add to the challenge. At IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, we work to change this. Our vision: a world free of poverty and injustice in which people manage their water and environmental resources sustainably and equitably.
Education, research and capacity development
We address water and sanitation challenges through education, research and capacity development, at global, national, local and even microscopic scales – the latter in our laboratories. We focus on all water-related fields, including social sciences, engineering and more. Our world-class experts teach and research fields such as climate change adaptation, governance, water diplomacy, desalination, water supply, wetlands and sustainable hydropower.
Together with Dutch and international partners, we offer high-quality education, including an MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development, a PhD programme, diploma courses, various short courses and online courses as well as customized training and capacity development, all within a uniquely international and interdisciplinary environment. People seeking to make an impact for water and environment, including water professionals, scientists, engineers, practitioners, consultants, activists, decision-makers, change-makers and others, come to IHE Delft to sharpen their ability to contribute to global sustainable development.
Global and local societal impact
Our impact is visible on a global and local level. As an institute operating under the auspices of UNESCO and a member of the UN-Water network, we are involved in high-level discussions on global water problems. At the same time, we work with partners to apply solutions locally. Our over 25,000 alumni bring water expertise to all parts of the world. Our science-based advice and stakeholder-driven, policy-related research have earned us a reputation as a reliable, dynamic and impartial knowledge partner in the water and development sector.
Our impact is strengthened by our engagement in partnerships. We foster connections across disciplines and among knowledge centres, public and private sector organizations. Our international staff, many of whom are world-renowned experts in their fields, our diverse and engaged students and our engaged alumni community, make IHE Delft an international and vibrant learning hub – the place where the water world meets to make a difference.
Developing capacity of people and institutions
Capacity development is key to addressing the world’s water challenges. Through education, research and innovation, and institutional strengthening, IHE Delft aims to make a tangible contribution to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals in which water is key.
IHE Delft is a partner to individuals, universities, research institutes, water-related government ministries and other water sector organizations seeking to strengthen their capacity to identify and sustainably solve water-related problems. We work at the individual, organizational and institutional level. Together with partners, many of whom are based in Africa, Asia and Latin America, we co-create knowledge and capacity development to strengthen organizational performance and learning.
To ensure that high-quality and up-to-date water programmes are accessible and affordable to those who need them, we work with knowledge institutions around the world, particularly those based in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to support them in developing and implementing water education and research programmes.
Working in partnership for a better water future
The Water and Development Partnership Programme supports partnership activities on research, education and knowledge sharing. The third phase of the Programme, which began 2021 and ends 2027, focuses on stimulating and catalysing transformations to socially inclusive and ecologically sustainable water management practices. The Programme is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Dutch development/foreign policy.
IHE Delft alumni: Water leaders today and in the future
Our growing alumni family of over 25,000 water professionals who have taken part in our educational programmes form the world’s largest global network of water professionals. They bring what they learned during their studies to all corners of the world and make an impact globally and locally – improving the quality of life in their communities and beyond. Our alumni are leaders, activists, innovators, researchers, educators and more. They make a difference through their work in ministries, government departments, municipalities, businesses, non-governmental organizations, water boards, water utilities and many other places. Each member of the alumni family is a lifelong partner to IHE Delft.