The World Water Council appoints up to four Youth Delegates, one each for the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe, to carry the views of young professionals into its governance. The Council is an international water policy organisation headquartered in Marseille, France, and the convener of the World Water Forum. Under Council by-law 4.1.8, delegates are appointed by the Board after an open process of candidature and selection; they sit as observers in Council meetings, pay no membership fees and hold no vote.
One mandate runs three years. The delegates announced in March 2026 are working toward the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027, including the Riyadh Water Youth Committee, and contribute to the Council task forces.
Benefits & funding
- A seat as an observer in World Water Council meetings for a three-year mandate, with membership fees waived.
- A formal role in preparing the 11th World Water Forum (Riyadh, 2027) and in setting up the Riyadh Water Youth Committee.
- Participation in Council task forces covering water security, water financing, water quality and health, ecosystem protection and non-conventional water resources.
- Contribution to Council programmes and publications, with regional visibility as one of four delegates worldwide.
- The role is voluntary and the Council publishes no salary or stipend for it. The programme page does not state whether travel to Council meetings and Forum events is reimbursed; candidates can confirm with the secretariat at youth@worldwatercouncil.org.
Eligibility
- Aged 18 to 35.
- Belongs to an organisation that is international in scope and works on youth and water issues.
- Open to all nationalities. The four seats are allocated across the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe, and the Council states that a balance of regional and gender representation is ensured.
- No degree level is required.
- Appointment is made by the Board, and a nomination is valid for one mandate.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Age requirement
18–35 yrs
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Application process
- 1Watch the Youth Delegate page and the Council news feed; a call opens only when a mandate is ending.
- 2Submit the online application form published with the call. The form for the 2026 to 2028 mandate closed on 15 November 2025 and now shows as no longer accepting responses.
- 3The secretariat screens candidates and the Board appoints up to four delegates, balancing the regions.
- 4Appointments are announced on the Council news page; the current delegates were announced on 2 March 2026.
- 5Questions go to youth@worldwatercouncil.org or to the Youth Project Coordinator at k.asoodani@worldwatercouncil.org.
Program timeline
15 November 2025
applications closed for the 2026 to 2028 mandate
the Council announced its four new Youth Delegates
2 March 2026
11th World Water Forum in Riyadh, the main deliverable of the current mandate
2027
the mandate ends; the next open call is expected around that point, and no date has been published
2028