Blue Communities Africa

Water is a human right and a common good

Blue Communities Africa brings together communities and institutions committed to protecting water as a human right and a common good. Through the initiative, we turn water justice principles into collective action: defending public water services, strengthening community participation and protecting the ecosystems that sustain our water.

Coordinated by the Africa Water Justice Network (AWJN), in collaboration with the Blue Planet Project and our partners, the initiative connects local organising with a wider movement against water privatisation, commercialisation and exclusion.

Our vision

We envision an Africa where everyone has access to safe, sufficient, accessible and affordable water, regardless of income, gender or location. We believe decisions about water must serve people and ecosystems, with meaningful participation by the communities whose lives depend on them.

Becoming a Blue Community is a commitment to work towards this vision through practical action, public advocacy and solidarity.

Our five principles

We organise Blue Communities Africa around five interconnected principles:

1. Recognising water as a human right and a common good

We promote the recognition and implementation of the human right to water. Access must be equitable, and no one should be excluded because they cannot afford to pay.

2. Opposing water privatisation

We defend public ownership and accountable public and community management of water. We challenge policies and arrangements that place profit above people’s needs.

3. Phasing out plastic-packaged water

We encourage communities and institutions to reduce and progressively phase out plastic-packaged water, while advocating for safe public drinking water and accessible refill alternatives. This transition must take account of local water quality and supply conditions.

4. Strengthening community self-management

We support democratic community participation in decisions about water. We encourage inclusive structures that give women, young people and marginalised groups a meaningful role in planning, management and accountability.

5. Advancing environmental justice

We protect water sources and ecosystems from pollution, destructive extraction and other threats. We connect water justice with struggles for land, food, climate and social justice.

Who can participate?

We welcome expressions of interest from entities with a shared communal or institutional relationship around water, including:

• Villages, neighbourhoods and other geographical communities.
• Schools, colleges and universities.
• Churches, congregations and other faith communities.
• Community institutions and collectives responsible for shared water resources.

Civil society organisations, trade unions and networks can also support the initiative by organising communities, providing education, sharing knowledge and strengthening advocacy.

Membership of AWJN and recognition as a Blue Community are separate processes. Organisations can help advance Blue Communities without themselves seeking recognition.

How to become a Blue Community

Step 1: Contact us

Write to info@awjn.org with a short introduction to your community or institution, its location, the water challenges you face and why you want to participate.

Step 2: Discuss the principles with your community

We will discuss the initiative with you and help identify an appropriate process for collective learning and participation. The commitment should be understood and supported by the people it represents.

Step 3: Agree on commitments and an action plan

Identify the principles you already practise and the changes you will work towards. Your action plan should set out practical activities, responsibilities and a realistic timeframe.

Step 4: Submit your commitments for assessment

Our assessment process considers your commitments and supporting information against the African Blue Communities indicators. We will explain the documentation needed and discuss any areas requiring further work.

Step 5: Continue organising and sharing progress

Recognition marks a commitment to continuing action. We encourage participating communities to share achievements, discuss challenges and learn from one another.

Blue Communities in action

In January 2026, Merina Dakhar and Keur Mor Ndiaye, in Senegal, were recognised as Blue Communities. Both demonstrated commitments across four of our five indicators, with the phase-out of plastic-packaged water remaining an area for further action.

Their participation shows how communities can build on existing practices while making clear commitments to change. Through exchanges and shared advocacy, we aim to connect these experiences with communities across Africa.

What can a Blue Community do?

Actions will reflect local needs and conditions. They can include:

• Holding community discussions on the human right to water.
• Advocating for greater public investment and affordable water services.
• Establishing inclusive community water committees.
• Protecting rivers, wetlands, wells and other water sources.
• Introducing safe drinking-water refill points and reducing plastic waste.
• Challenging water privatisation and sharing experiences with other communities.

Join the movement

Does your community, school, congregation or institution want to take collective action for water justice?

Contact info@awjn.org with the subject line “Blue Communities Africa – Expression of Interest.” Please include your community or institution’s name, country, contact person and a brief description of your interest.

Together, we can defend water as a human right and a common good.