About us

Young Water Solutions is an international non-profit organization that aims to develop and support the potential of young people to contribute to universal water, sanitation hygiene and water resources management. We do so by empowering young leaders and entrepreneurs, providing them the tools to carry out water and sanitation projects and launch social businesses in their communities. We promote an integrated approach and support initiatives that address inter linked challenges such as climate change adaptation, reforestation, youth employment, gender equality and food security.

Based in Paris, Young Water Solutions was co-founded in 2015 by 16 young and senior water professionals from 11 different countries

but with a common vision: a world where young people contribute to making access to clean water and sanitation an everyday reality for all people on Earth.

Our mission is to make an effective and scalable contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, by empowering young people to implement water solutions in their communities. By 2030, we aspire to empower over 1,000 young leaders, including at least 500 young women, to implement water solutions in their communities so that at least 1,000,000 people can rely on clean water and sanitation and enjoy a life in dignity.

2030 Strategy

WHY WATER, WHY YOUTH?

2.2 billion

people without access to safe water

4.2 billion

people without access to sanitation

1.8 billion

young people in the world, we believe they can drive the change!

Operational team

Juliette Gabrion

Director

Juliette holds a MSc in Management from ESSEC Business School where she specialised in entrepreneurship. Head of an NGO promoting female social entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle-East since 2017, she has several years of experience in NGO program design and management. She has worked as an independent consultant for various NGOs and foundations in the field of social entrepreneurship.

Manuela Múnera

Programme Manager for Latin America

Manuela holds a degree in International Cooperation and a MSc in Corporate Policy and Social Responsibility from Université Paris Dauphine-PSL. Her experience includes collaborating with international NGOs, particularly in empowering young volunteers from the Global South. She has also worked with social and solidarity economy incubators and contributed to a sustainable impact startup, showcasing her dedication to supporting social and environmental impact projects.

Charlotte Carteret

Programme Manager for Africa

Charlotte has a double master's degree in business school and political science. After an initial humanitarian mission in India, she specialised in international cooperation with the CCI France Costa-Rica. After several years as a consultant for the public sector, she turned to entrepreneurship with a French NGO supporting women entrepreneurs in Latin America, before joining YWS.

Rose Desmet

Programme Manager for Africa

Rose has recently completed her Master's degree in Economic Expertise of Development Policies and Projects in Paris. Following diverse experiences within the nonprofit sector, initially focusing on child protection and later transitioning to social entrepreneurship, she is deeply committed to addressing social issues related to children and the environment.