The Case for Climate Finance: Exploring Future Financing Opportunities for WASH CSOs

Blue graphic featuring the cover of this learning brief featuring an illustration of threads forming cupped hands below a water droplet

The rise of climate finance marks a transformative shift in the global approach to climate change, with significant implications for a wide range of stakeholders. With global reductions in official development assistance, civil society organisations (CSOs) are under increasing pressure to find new sources of funding to support their work.

Building on previous work undertaken by partners under Water for Women's Learning Agenda, as a requested extension to the three dedicated learning initiatives in the 2023-24 extension phase, Water for Women collaborated with SAGANA for research into the international climate finance landscape and implications for climate-resilient inclusive WASH development.

The collaboration considered three more specific questions:

To what extent should (inclusive) climate-resilient WASH interventions focus on climate risk elements?
In what circumstances are a greater or lesser emphasis on climate risk appropriate?
And what are the implications of this for international financing of climate-resilient WASH?

This brief shares key findings and insight into climate finance, including the current funding landscape and its relevance to WASH actors. It seeks to provide CSOs with practical recommendations about obtaining climate finance to support climate-resilient inclusive WASH infrastructure projects, as well as identify innovative financing pathways to enhance organisational sustainability. It is part of a series that delves into the broader questions of what climate-resilient inclusive WASH development looks like, and how inclusive WASH strengthens climate resilience.

Who is it for?

This learning brief is intended to support WASH CSOs and wider development sector actors to better understand the evolving international climate finance landscape, and how to obtain new sources of funding to support development outcomes.

A thumbnail of the cover of this learning brief featuring an illustration of cupped hands under a water droplet hands under a water droplet all created by colourful threads

What does it include?

Climate finance overview
Bridging the gap between climate and WASH financing
Overcoming obstacles to climate finance
Recommendations for WASH CSOs and Funders
Climate finance resource lists

Download

Citation: Water for Women. (2025). Learning Brief: The Case for Climate Finance: Exploring Future Financing Opportunities for WASH CSOs. https://www.waterforwomenfund.org/en/news/the-case-for-climate-finance-exploring-future-financing-opportunities-for-WASH-CSOs.aspx

This learning brief was co-developed by Water for Women and SAGANA. It builds on previous work by Water for Women partners to address identified knowledge gaps and support capacity building and learning exchange on the evolving international climate finance landscape. We thank Zahra Bolouri, Water for Women Knowledge and Learning Manager, and Milena Bacalja Perianes, SAGANA Senior Consulting Director, and Juliet McFadden, SAGANA Consulting Associate, who co-authored this brief and provided the research that underpins the guidance within.

Water for Women also gratefully acknowledges the dedication and ongoing work of our partners across Asia Pacific to deliver climate-resilient inclusive WASH for all, while navigating the challenges of our changing climate and funding landscape. Finally, we thank Mia Cusack and Bianca Nelson Vatnsdal (WfW Communications) for leading the graphic design and editing process of this brief.

Water for Women acknowledges the Australian Government’s support via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in providing funding to our partners to support climate-resilient inclusive WASH projects and research across the region and sharing valuable inputs through this learning brief.