WHY
WHO
FAQ
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Helping operators help one another.
GWOPA members work together to strengthen public water and sanitation utility capacity and performance so they can provide sustainably-managed services for all.

GWOPA members advocate for, support or participate in Water Operators' Partnerships (WOPs) - peer partnerships between utilities carried out on a not-for-profit basis. With the principle of solidarity at its core, GWOPA membership unites organizations and individuals from around the world to build awareness of the critical role of utilities, promote effective WOPs, and maximize collective impact.

GWOPA membership is free and open to institutions and individuals. Click on your membership type to apply:

Institutional membership (EN/ES)
Institutional Membership Application Package
Solicitud de Membresía Institucional
Individual membership

WHY BECOME A MEMBER

Learn and improve
The core activity of GWOPA is peer-learning between utilities.
Show solidarity
Connect to a diverse and inclusive Alliance in which all members adhere to a shared vision of solidarity.
Act
Engage in Alliance activities to support universal access to water and sanitation.
Raise utilities’ voices
GWOPA is the foremost platform within the UN space dedicated to increasing the voice of utilities.
Participate
All members can participate in the GWOPA Assembly and thereby review and discuss the strategic direction of GWOPA.
Decide (Institutions)
Institutional Members have a right to vote and to stand as candidates for elective positions in the GWOPA Assembly, the Steering Committee and other committees. Individual Members participate in the GWOPA Assembly as observers.
JOIN THE GLOBAL WOPs COMMUNITY (Indivivuals)
The Global WOPs Community offers you a platform to connect with peers and network with water and sanitation practitioners across the globe. Ask questions, share your challenges and solutions and stay up to date on WOP related topics and project opportunities.

Who can become a member?

GWOPA membership is free and open to institutions and individuals who have an interest in water, sanitation and related issues, and who are committed to the overarching objectives and principles of GWOPA. All GWOPA Members must subscribe to the GWOPA Charter and embrace the vision and mission of GWOPA.

GWOPA's main constituency is Public Water and Sanitation Utilities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is expected of my organisation?
  • 1. Embrace GWOPA's Vision and Mission, and Charter
  • 2. Contribute to the objectives of the Alliance through one or more of the following:
    • 1. WOPs – engaging in a partnership in according with GWOPA’s Code of Conduct
    • 2. Knowledge – supporting the development of knowledge resources
    • 3. Support – contributing to WOPs or GWOPA activities through outreach or other resources
    • 4. Outreach and visibility – advocating for utilities, WOPs and GWOPA.
IS MEMBERSHIP PART OF THE GWOPA GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE?

Yes, it is. There are three bodies constituting the organisational structure of GWOPA, namely:

  • The GWOPA Assembly;
  • The GWOPA Steering Committee; and
  • The GWOPA Secretariat

All GWOPA Members, Individual and Institutional, are Members of the GWOPA Assembly. Institutional Members have a right to vote and to stand as candidates for elective positions in the GWOPA Assembly, the Steering Committee and other committees, in accordance with the established rules and procedures.

Why does GWOPA matter?

GWOPA channels water and sanitation operator' concerns within the UN system. It advocates for strong public service providers and workers. It promotes capacity focused partnerships between water and sanitation operators to sustainably strengthen their performance for the benefit of all.

How will membership help?
Many water and sanitation utilities are struggling to face growing challenges linked to climate change, finance, and capacity. As GWOPA's membership base grows, our voice becomes stronger and we can call for increased resources for utilities and WOPs to help utilities that are struggling. With a broad and active membership, GWOPA can effectively lobby for utilities and WOPs at the highest level to secure resources, policies and opportunities that help utilities do their job effectively.
MY ORGANIZATION IS NOT A PUBLIC WATER AND SANITATION UTILITY, CAN WE JOIN?

Yes. Although GWOPA's membership is composed primarily of public water and sanitation utilities, other organizations that support progress towards sustainable access to water and sanitation are part of the membership, namely:

  • Community water and sanitation operators and cooperatives and their associations;
  • Water and sanitation utilities with private shareholders;
  • Associations of water and sanitation utilities;
  • Civil society organizations;
  • Worker and Trade unions;
  • Non-governmental organizations;
  • United Nations organizations;
  • International multi-stakeholder platforms/network organizations;
  • Development cooperation agencies;
  • Development finance institutions;
  • National and sub-national governments (including Public Asset Holding Companies);
  • Research and learning institutions; and
  • Water and sanitation regulators.

Download the application pack for more details.

CAN PRIVATE UTILITIES JOIN AS WELL?

Private utilities and their associations can apply for GWOPA membership but must adhere to the UN Global Compact, the GWOPA Code of Conduct and the objectives and principles of GWOPA.

What is individual membership?

GWOPA is mainly an alliance of organisations, however individuals with or without affiliation to an organisation may also join. Individual members can participate in GWOPA activities to learn and share their expertise. Some use individual membership as a first step to securing institutional membership. Individual members do not participate in decision making or elections. at the GWOPA Assembly.

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