The Netherlands and Indonesia have a long history of collaboration in water management, combining Dutch expertise with Indonesian innovation to address water-related challenges. On 13 March 2025, the NL Knowledge House (NLKH), in collaboration with the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia, hosted a dialogue with Dutch universities to share experiences and explore synergies in water cooperation. This discussion aimed to enhance existing partnerships and establish a framework for sustainable future collaboration.

A Shared Vision for Water Management

The event opened with remarks from Yvonne Klerks, Education and Science Attaché at the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia, who emphasized the importance of structured discussions to highlight areas for potential collaboration. Ivo van der Linden, Delegated Representative for Water at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta, emphasized the need for holistic and sustainable approaches, integrating government, private sector, and development partners for impactful cooperation.

Nanya Burki, Head of Development and Partnership at Nuffic Southeast Asia, also added that within the framework of the ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on water (valid until 2027), a bilateral working group has been focusing on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and youth engagement. This framework provides a foundation for strengthening Dutch-Indonesian water partnerships, particularly in the education and research sectors.

Insights from Dutch Knowledge Institutions

Dutch knowledge institutions have been actively engaged in Indonesia, contributing to research, education, and policy development in water management. Their initiatives span a wide range of topics, including flood risk management, climate resilience, sustainable water governance, and capacity building. Institutions such as Open University and IHE Delft have focused on inclusive governance, research, and training programs, with IHE Delft boasting over 150 projects and 3,000 alumni in Indonesia. Deltares emphasized the importance of tailoring Dutch expertise to local contexts, fostering long-term knowledge exchange, and integrating technical solutions with social and environmental considerations.

Funding and policy support were key topics addressed by NWO (Dutch Research Council), which provides financial backing for joint Dutch-Indonesian research projects on groundwater rights, land subsidence, and the blue economy. Meanwhile, University of Twente and VU Amsterdam presented their contributions to disaster risk reduction and environmental sustainability, including projects on landslide early warning systems and the expansion of the Asia Water Academy in East Java. KITLV (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies) brought a socio-environmental perspective, examining governance challenges, climate change education, and misinformation related to water management.

These knowledge institutions collectively underscored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, integrating policy, science, and local expertise to create lasting impact. Many institutions are also seeking to expand their initiatives and secure sustainable funding for long-term collaborations in Indonesia.

Next Steps

To build on this momentum, NLKH aims to provide a structured platform for continued collaboration. By leveraging collaboration dialogue initiatives, Dutch institutions can enhance accessibility to water cooperation efforts, enabling stakeholders to identify opportunities for research, capacity building, and policy development. As water challenges grow increasingly complex, fostering strong Dutch-Indonesian partnerships remains crucial in sustaining knowledge exchange, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation, and driving sustainable solutions for future water management.

To watch the recording of this dialogue, you may visit our YouTube channel at NL Knowledge House or click here.