Water security is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Glaciers – the theme of this year’s World Water Day – along with mountain run-off, and snowmelt provide water for nearly two billion people worldwide, sustaining agriculture, energy production, and entire ecosystems. But as rising temperatures accelerate glacial melt, water availability is becoming increasingly unpredictable, threatening food systems, economies, and livelihoods.

The strain on water resources is growing. Droughts, groundwater depletion, and pollution are making access more fragile, with cascading risks for public health and stability. Many of the communities facing the greatest challenges already contend with poverty, displacement, and environmental degradation. Securing access to safe water requires both urgent action and long-term solutions.

Governments alone cannot address this crisis. Non-State actors – including businesses, NGOs, and community-led initiatives – are driving solutions to improve water security, restore natural systems, and rethink how water is managed. Their work is proving that through innovation, conservation, and smarter infrastructure, it is possible to safeguard water supplies while strengthening climate resilience.

For World Water Day 2025, we’re spotlighting four of our Impact Makers tackling water challenges in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Through desalination, regenerative agriculture, and large-scale ecosystem restoration, they are working to ensure that clean water remains accessible, affordable, and long-lasting.

Ragy Ramadan (Egypt) | Founder & CEO, NoorNation

Scaling decentralized, solar-powered clean water solutions

Water scarcity and unreliable energy access pose major barriers to socioeconomic development in rural communities across Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa. Through his company NoorNation, Ragy has pioneered LifeBox, a solar-powered system that delivers clean energy and desalinated water to remote regions. 

Impacts include:

• 5.5 million litres of brackish water desalinated, providing safe water access to over 1,200 people

• Installed 1,250 kWp of solar capacity, reducing reliance on diesel-powered water pumps

• Flexible PayGo model enables communities to afford water solutions without upfront costs

Read more here

Neal Spackman (USA/Saudi Arabia) | Ecosystem Restoration & Water Resilience Expert

Reversing desertification and restoring groundwater

Neal Spackman’s work in dryland restoration has transformed arid landscapes into thriving ecosystems by harnessing regenerative water management strategies. His Al Baydha Project in Saudi Arabia demonstrated how traditional land and water systems could be revived to restore groundwater levels, improve soil health, and build climate resilience.

Impacts include:

• Increased groundwater recharge, reversing desertification on degraded land

• Reduced flash floods by reintroducing silvopasture and natural water retention systems

• Regenerative Seawater Agriculture (RSA) creates freshwater resources in coastal regions by integrating mangrove agroforestry and aquaculture

Read more here 

Helmy Abouleish (Egypt) | CEO, SEKEM

Transforming desert landscapes through sustainable agriculture

In Egypt, where water scarcity threatens food production and rural economies, Helmy Abouleish has led SEKEM, an organization that regenerates desert landscapes through biodynamic agriculture and sustainable irrigation. By implementing water-efficient farming techniques, SEKEM reduces water demand while restoring soil health and increasing productivity.

Impacts include:

• Restored 47,000 acres of land into biodynamic farmland

• Pioneered Economy of Love (EoL), a model ensuring water-smart farming supports local economies

• Advocated for sustainable irrigation policies that integrate water conservation into Egypt’s agricultural systems

Read more here 

Rajesh Shah (India) | Managing Trustee, VIKAS Centre for Development

Restoring coastal ecosystems to protect freshwater resources

The Great Green Wall of Gujarat (GGWG) is India’s largest community-led coastal restoration project, led by Rajesh Shah. In the face of rising sea levels and increasing water salinity, his work focuses on restoring mangrove forests, which act as natural water purifiers and storm buffers for local communities.

Impacts include:

• Planted 3,000 hectares of mangroves, protecting freshwater sources from saltwater intrusion

• Bio-shield restoration will benefit 130,177 people, improving coastal water security

• Created sustainable livelihoods for marginalized communities, turning them into environmental stewards

Read more here

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