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.
What can you gain?
The most promising ideas will receive recognition, visibility, and support.
Ages 18-25: Invitation to the OneGF Impact Fund: NextGen Week in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and the opportunity to present their ideas to GF leadership.
Under 18: Recognition through the NextGen Young Innovator Award and a feature on GF Water Foundation communication channels.
All age groups: Selected projects may be considered for funding to help develop a prototype, pilot, or proof of concept.
What kind of ideas are we looking for?
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.
Project ideas can include, but are not limited to:
- Engineering and product innovations
- Digital technologies (IoT sensors, mobile apps, software) or AI analytics solutions
- Social enterprises or business concepts
- Educational initiatives and awareness campaigns
- Sanitation practices projects
- Community engagement projects
- Water conservation and efficiency solutions
- Water quality projects
- Other innovative approaches that address water-related challenges and contribute to one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to water, climate resilience, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable development.
Who can apply?
Participants must:
- Be 18 to 25 years old at the submission deadline.
- Be nominated by a GF employee with an active employment contract through family, friends, community, or professional networks. 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, and be able to participate in an English-language program if selected as a regional winner and invited to Schaffhausen.
What do I need to do? (Submission form below)
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.