SIWI and KTH strengthen research partnership on water governance

The agreement provides a framework for joint research, competence development, and innovation, building on the complementary strengths of both institutions and their shared commitment to advancing sustainable water management.

“This partnership is about strengthening the link between research and decision-making,” says Helena Thybell, Executive Director of SIWI. “By deepening collaboration with KTH, we can help ensure that emerging knowledge on water governance is both scientifically robust and relevant to the policy challenges we are facing.”

“Access to and use of water are among the major climate challenges of our time, and a collaboration like this is therefore extremely valuable. This partnership has great potential to promote a more resilient society in which water resources are managed wisely and sustainably for the future and for coming generations”, says Mikael Lindström, Deputy President at KTH.

From research to policy relevance

At the core of the collaboration is a shared ambition to strengthen research on water governance in the context of climate change and a changing hydrological cycle. The partnership will be closely linked to WaterCentre@KTH, creating a platform to connect academic research with policy processes and real-world application.

The collaboration will focus on key areas such as water governance in a changing climate, shared waters cooperation, and inclusive and just approaches to water solutions—areas where stronger evidence and analysis are needed to support more effective decision-making.

Strengthening knowledge and capacity

The collaboration may include guest lectures, joint supervision of PhD students and the hosting of postdoctoral researchers, supporting the development of future expertise in water governance.

The partnership also opens opportunities for joint funding applications and innovation initiatives, supporting the development of new approaches and solutions to complex water challenges.

A platform for collaboration

Through the MoU, both organizations will also work to communicate research outcomes and engage with decision-makers, ensuring that insights generated through the partnership contribute to broader societal impact.

The MoU is non-binding and establishes a framework for collaboration over an initial three-year period, with specific activities to be developed through separate agreements as needed.

Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Stockholm and working globally to improve how societies manage and make decisions about water. We help ensure that water supports resilient, fair, and sustainable futures by bringing partners together, developing trusted knowledge, and turning insights into practical action. 

 KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden’s largest technical university with deep international networks, plays an important role in driving sustainable societal development by contributing cutting‑edge research, forward‑thinking knowledge, and highly skilled graduates. Through its collaborations, KTH works to advance solutions that support environmental resilience, social well‑being, and long‑term innovation for the benefit of society.