Our Networks

Global reach

Knowledge Networks and learning communities are powerful mechanisms for sharing information and knowledge in the development cooperation. These mechanisms ensure communication and coordination among actors to help achieve sustainable development. Networks and communities act as effective catalysts for building up relationships and commitment among public and private stakeholders at local, national, regional and international levels.

Skat Foundation has developed and run many successful networks and communities of practice that add value by bringing professionals together in flexible ways to share, collaborate and achieve much more impact that they would be able to as individuals.

Skat Foundation hosts the Secretariat of the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) since 2002. It is a vibrant network of almost 14,000 members who are committed to, or interested in improving access to drinking water in rural areas around the world and to fulfil the vision of sustainable rural water services for all.

Visit their website to learn more HERE

Since 2016 Skat Foundation supports the Hydro Empowerment Network (HPNET) by providing professional competences on network development as well as on micro/mini hydropower.

This video shows how HPNET supports local micro hydro practitioners in implementing community-scale hydropower solutions.

Skat Foundation participates actively in the following Networks and Communities of Practice:

    • Blue Community – An international movement, initiated in 2009. Since then, more than 200 organizations have joined across the globe, and more than 40 in Switzerland. Learn more here
    • Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) – A global knowledge network of urban and rural sanitation and hygiene professionals with over 14,000 members. The Secretariat is hosted by GIZ in Germany and since 2019, Skat Foundation has supported the moderation and development of their online discussion platform, the SuSanA Forum to increase its diversity and vibrancy, and to strengthen collaboration with RWSN on the common issues of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
    • UN-Water – A coordination mechanism that is comprised of United Nations entities (Members) and international organizations (Partners) working on water and sanitation issues. Skat Foundation represents RWSN, which is a UN Water Partner and through that collaborates with UN organisations and partners around the annual World Water Day, World Water Development Report and other global collaborative actions.
    • AGUASAN– A unique forum of practitioners, who meet once a year in Switzerland for in-depth exchange and cognition by exploring new issues in the Water Sector, whilst consolidating relevant experiences from all over the world.
    • Swiss Knowledge Management Think Table – A Swiss Community of Practice of Knowledge Management Practitioners
    • KM4Dev – Community of Practice of Knowledge Management practitioners around the world
    • Sanitation & Water for All (SWA) –  Skat Foundation is a Research & Learning partner of Sanitation & Water for All (SWA).
    • CWG – Collaborative Working Group on Solid Waste Management
    • Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice (GRIPP) – a global partnership for sustainable groundwater development. Skat Foundation works with like-minded partners to raise awareness of the importance of groundwater.
    • Informal Working Group on Trace Metals – a group of experts from leading organisations including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Ask for Water GmbH, World Vision, the University of North Carolina, WaterAid and IAPMO that is committed to tackling the widespread problem of lead in drinking water. An early output, in 2022, was a WHO technical brief and Skat Foundation co-lead authors on a Call to Action.

Aguasan Workshops
CWG Website
CWG Workshop
KM4Dev