In the Youth Manifesto on Climate Change, we identified water as a priority and set out specific actions for improving water security in Nigeria. These include implementing the National Action Plan for the WASH sector, investing in climate-resilient water infrastructure, strengthening water governance and transboundary cooperation, improving flood preparedness, protecting water bodies from pollution, and increasing access to financing for communities and local stakeholders.
Our more recent work has also examined how water insecurity affects women and girls and the barriers that limit their participation in water governance. These discussions have highlighted the need for gender-responsive budgeting, better data, meaningful participation of women and support for women-led organisations. You can read more about these statements on our website.
Our ongoing work on the Youth Manifesto on Water Sovereignty, in development with the Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND Ghana), builds on these discussions. The process is bringing together perspectives from young people, communities and civil society across West Africa on how water is accessed, managed and protected. You can add your voice to shape the Water Manifesto here.
As World Water Week 2026 brings these issues into focus, YCC calls for action in five areas.
Strengthen water governance and accountability
Governments should strengthen the institutions responsible for water management and follow through on existing commitments, including in Nigeria, the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Revitalisation of the WASH sector. This should include stronger enforcement of environmental and spatial planning laws, better water-resource management and improved coordination between relevant institutions.
Invest in climate-resilient water and WASH infrastructure
Water infrastructure needs to respond to both water scarcity and excess water.
Investment should support reliable and affordable water systems, sanitation, drainage, flood management, riverbank protection and other measures that reduce the impact of droughts and floods.Specifically, we call for decentralised, renewable-energy-powered and climate-resilient water infrastructure, alongside measures to manage excess water and protect communities from flooding.
Give communities, young people and women a meaningful role in water governance
Those most affected by water insecurity should have a meaningful role in decisions about water. This includes young people, women, rural communities and people living in areas affected by floods, droughts, displacement and conflict. Communities and youth should be able to contribute to planning, implementation and monitoring, while women should have access to the resources, skills and decision-making spaces needed to exercise leadership.
Protect water resources and strengthen regional cooperation
Water security also depends on protecting the resources that communities rely on.
Governments should strengthen regulation of activities that pollute or degrade water bodies, including extractive activities, oil spills, plastic pollution, hazardous waste and other forms of environmental degradation.
Increase accessible financing for water security and local action
Water security requires sustained financing, but resources must also reach the communities and organisations working closest to the challenges. Governments, development partners and funders should increase investment in water security, climate adaptation and local preparedness, while creating more accessible financing opportunities for community-based and youth-led organisations.
As World Water Week 2026 focuses on Water for People and Progress, Youth Climate Collective calls for water governance that is inclusive, accountable and responsive to the realities of communities across Africa.