About us

The Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) was established in 1990 by the City of Stockholm, the Stockholm Water Festival Foundation, and several private-sector companies collectively known as the Founders.

SWF’s mission is to promote research and development in the field of water and to award the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize, under the patronage of H.M. the King of Sweden. The prize was first awarded in 1991. Since 1997, the Foundation has also presented the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, with H.R.H. the Crown Princess of Sweden serving as its patron.

In 1991, SWF launched the Stockholm Water Symposium, an annual international conference bringing together experts and thought leaders in water-related fields. The Foundation also initiated the Stockholm Water Initiative, a series of investigative and research activities aimed at translating insights from the Symposium into collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. These efforts eventually evolved into World Water Week and the broader programme and project activities managed by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

From 1991 to 1999, the Stockholm Water Symposium, along with the presentation of the Stockholm Water Prize and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, was held in conjunction with the Stockholm Water Festival—a popular, water-themed street festival. The festival was last held in 1999.

In 1997, Stockholm Vatten AB, a public limited company owned by the City of Stockholm, was entrusted with the management of the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF). This consolidation brought the administration of the Stockholm Water Prize, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, the Stockholm Water Symposium, and the Stockholm Water Initiative under a single entity. That same year, SWF was re-registered to reflect this new arrangement.

The management of SWF was placed under an interim unit within Stockholm Vatten known as the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), which would later evolve into a leading organization in global water issues.

In 2000, SWF introduced the Stockholm Water Industry Award, recognizing achievements in the business and industrial sectors related to water management. The award was presented annually until 2015, when it was paused indefinitely.

In 2001, the Stockholm Water Symposium was officially rebranded as World Water Week in Stockholm. Over time, the “in Stockholm” designation was dropped, and the event is now known simply as World Water Week.

In 2003, the Swedish Water House was established through a joint decision from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Ministry of the Environment, further strengthening Sweden’s commitment to global water cooperation and policy development.

In 2008, following a decision by the Stockholm City Council, Stockholm Vatten ended its management of the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF), and the Foundation returned to independent governance. That same year, two new foundations were established based on decisions by the City Council and the Government of Sweden.

On 3 March 2008, the City of Stockholm donated SEK 50 million to establish a new foundation managed by SWF. This foundation was named Stiftelsen till Förmån för Stockholm Water Foundation och Världsvattenveckan i Stockholm (The Foundation for the Benefit of Stockholm Water Foundation and World Water Week in Stockholm), commonly referred to as Förmånsstiftelsen (the Benefit Foundation) and abbreviated as FMS. FMS was created to ensure the long-term financial security of the Stockholm Water Prize, while also supporting the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, World Water Week, and the administration of these events.

On 10 April 2008, the Government of Sweden contributed a grant to establish a second foundation, also managed by SWF, named the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). While the term “SIWI” is often used as an umbrella term for all three foundations and their activities, this specific foundation constitutes the legal entity that represents SIWI.

The purpose of SIWI is to promote interest in research and development concerning water by conducting international research and investigative activities. SIWI works to advance sustainable water use, social development, and poverty reduction. It actively participates in global water processes, engages in advocacy and international information efforts, and organizes World Water Week.

On 5 May 2014, the City Council of Stockholm approved an additional donation of SEK 50 million to FMS to further support its mission.

On 18 November 2024, the SWF Board resolved to apply to Kammarkollegiet for a permutation of SIWI, proposing a transition from SWF oversight to an independent governance under a  new SIWI board. Kammarkollegiet approved the application on 7 January 2025, and on 29 January 2025, the SWF Board formally acknowledged the decision. SIWI’s new board held its inaugural meeting on 11 February 2025, marking the beginning of its self-managed operations.