Over the last two months, national and international water professionals have had the chance to vote for one of the three nominated projects, funded by the Partners for Water subsidy scheme. This scheme promotes the use of innovative techniques, services and methodologies devised by the Dutch water sector in order to increase water security abroad. The nominated projects not only envisioned change, but also made an impact with their innovative water solutions.

We are delighted to announce that this year's winner of the Partners for Water Award 2024 is FieldFactors, for its innovative BlueBloqs that transformed rainwater management in Valladolid, Spain. By combining design, engineering, water science and technology, FieldFactors implemented a Nature-based Solution to address flooding and periods of drought at Valladolid’s Zorrilla Football Stadium.

The BlueBloqs system collects and treats rainwater for direct use and underground storage, reducing flooding risks and operational costs for Real Valladolid and ensuring a reliable water source during dry months. The project aligns with the broader objectives of the Partners for Water programme, showcasing the power of innovative Nature-based Solutions in urban water management.

"I am very proud that we won the Partners for Water Award today. The project was an important first step for us in Spain in implementing an initial water and climate solution to improve water security there. Hopefully, we will look back on this starting point in four years with many new projects that we can realise to accelerate the transition towards a climate-adaptive world."

We would also like to congratulate Nelen & Schuurmans and Royal HaskoningDHV as this year’s runners-up for the Partners for Water Award 2024. Nelen & Schuurmans significantly advanced flood prediction in Taipei by providing residents with vital risk information through advanced cloud computing. Royal HaskoningDHV contributed to water security through innovative sandscaping in Bacton, England, providing immediate coastal protection with digital twin technology.

Each winner of this year's awards were brilliant examples of how the PVW-IVWW subsidy scheme has been instrumental in bringing innovative water management solutions to life. These projects, spanning from 2017 to 2022, have utilised the subsidy as a launchpad for testing, adapting and perfecting their innovations in real-world settings.