How would you improve water management in your community, region, or country?
To celebrate GF's 225th anniversary and the GF Water Foundation's 25th anniversary, we invite the next generation to share innovative ideas that help address water challenges in their communities. Selected participants will have the opportunity to join the OneGF Impact Fund: NextGen Week in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Water challenges take many forms, from scarcity and drought to pollution, flooding, inefficient use, ecosystem degradation, and limited access to safe water. We are looking for innovative ideas that help communities manage water more sustainably and build resilience for the future.
Possible topics include:
- Water conservation and efficiency
- Safe drinking water access
- Water quality and pollution prevention
- Sustainable agriculture, and irrigation
- Ecosystem protection
- Digital and smart water solutions
- Community engagement and education
- Other innovative approaches to water management
Eligibility criteria
Participants must:
- Be 18 to 25 years old at the submission deadline.
- Be connected to a GF employee with an active employment contract through family, friends, community, or professional networks.
- Be nominated by a GF employee. A nomination does not create any obligation for the employee to support or participate in the project.
- Be from a country where GF has a presence.
- Submit their concept note in English (or, if you decide to allow local languages, provide an English translation).
- Be willing and able to participate in an English-language program if selected as a regional finalist and invited to Schaffhausen.
What do I need to do?
Submit a one-page concept note by December 1, 2026 describing:
- The water challenge you want to address
- Your proposed solution
- The impact it could create
- Why it is realistic and feasible
How are ideas selected?
All submissions will be anonymized before review. A regional panel of GF employees will evaluate ideas based on Innovation, Relevance, Potential impact & Feasibility. Selected candidates will be invited to develop a full proposal with support from GF and the GF Water Foundation.