Freshwater Action Network: The Background

Freshwater Action Network (FAN) was established after the 2nd World Water Forum in March 2000 as a freshwater advocacy network.

FAN was set up to ensure that Southern CSOs working on water or sanitation issues are strongly represented at international water policy forums their voices are heard during the increasingly political water debates.

FAN has been instrumental in supporting and assisting southern CSOs to participate in:

• International Conference on Freshwater, Bonn 2001
• UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg 2002
• WaterDome, Johannesburg 2002
• 3^rd World Water Forum, Kyoto 2003
• United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development 2004 & 2005
• EU Water Initiative
• 4^th World Water Forum, Mexico 2006

During the 3^rd World Water Forum, FAN members from Africa met and decided to have an inception meeting in Kenya to create what is now known as the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW) in October 2003. The network has been developing steadily, convening sessions for African CSOs during the 4^th World Water Forum, three years on. 

The idea for a network of CSOs in Central America The Central American Freshwater Action Network (FAN-CA), was born out of the activities of FAN at another international meeting; the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002). FANCA was integral to the Latin American process for 4^th World Water Forum

FAN members in Central America and Africa have now created fully functioning independent regional networks that FAN supports.

The Secretariat & Membership

The FAN secretariat is hosted at WaterAid's London office, which also provides project and administrative, financial and legal services to FAN.   FAN was supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs until December 2005. FAN is now funded by WaterAid and is looking for more diverse sources of funding support.

FAN membership is open to all NGOs, community organisations or NGO networks with an interest in freshwater policy and who are committed to the aims of FAN. There are currently over 400 members representing countries from all regions.  

FAN is a cross-sectoral, non-hierarchical network, open to all NGOs and CBOs working on water policies or projects.  There is an advisory committee which meets annually to guide the development and annual planning of FAN. Its members include representatives of ANEW and FANCA and key members from Europe and Asia.  

As a member of FAN you will be invited to participate in advocacy training workshops and receive newsletters and briefings on emerging policy processes. You will also be able to contribute to NGO consultations, share information via email lists and access website resources and the on-line membership database. Register your organisation now using our online application form.