THE WALK OF WATER
History
The Walk of Water is an annual photo story contest and travelling exhibition that explores diverse perspectives on water and its global impact. Each year, the initiative aligns with the United Nation's annual water theme, generating powerful visual narratives that explore the chosen topic through the lenses of photographers across the globe.
Conceived in 2021 by Onewater and UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme, the annual contests invite photographers of all levels to submit their photo stories that showcase the multifaceted relationship between water and humanity. Winners receive prizes from partners and their captivating narratives are then showcased in exhibitions that travel the globe, raising awareness and inspiring action on critical water issues.
As of 2025, photographers from 120+ countries have participated and shared 20,000+ images.
Motivation
We envision a world where everyone recognizes and acts upon the importance of clean water, safe sanitation, and healthy oceans. Photojournalism contests and exhibitions inspire people to value water, encouraging conservation and responsible use. This format transcends age and background, making it accessible to diverse audiences. Combined with translations, guided tours, workshops, and roundtable discussions, these events create a memorable experience that fosters introspection and dialogue.
Goals
1. Use the powerful combination of texts and imagery to educate the public on the critical role of water in sustaining life, ecosystems, and communities, and the urgent need for sustainable management to address growing water challenges.
2. Reinforce the message that innovative solutions and inclusive water governance can transform water scarcity into abundance, leveraging science, technology, and traditional knowledge.
3.Highlight partnerships with local communities, policymakers, and organizations in the preservation and sustainable use of water resources, from source to sea.
4.Emphasize that women, Indigenous communities, and marginalized groups are often the unsung heroes of water stewardship, driving equitable access and conservation efforts worldwide.
5.Celebrate successful water conservation initiatives and community-driven solutions while underscoring the continued need for investment, collaboration, and advocacy to achieve global water security goals.
If you would like to co-convene the annual contest or host a Walk of Water Exhibition, please reach out to [email protected]
Past contests
Past contests featured the following themes: Groundwater (2021), Partnerships (2022), Peace & Prosperity (2023), Water Towers (2024), Gender (2025).
2025 Photostory Contest: Gender | Open from August 10 – December 7
The UN World Water Development Report in 2026 will focus on the crucial link between gender and water. To amplify this vital theme, UNESCO WWAP and Onewater are proud to announce the 5th edition of their "Walk of Water" Photostory Contest. From August 14th to December 7th, 2025, this contest invites photographers to explore the diverse roles and experiences of all genders in the world of water.
The contest aims to
- Celebrate the diverse ways people of all genders interact with and manage water resources. This includes highlighting the unique experiences of transgender, non-binary, and other LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing and managing water.
- Expose inequalities in water access and their impact on people of different genders, shaping daily life and community practices.
- Inspire change by showcasing the resilience, innovation, and leadership of individuals of all genders in their interactions with water and the environment.
Organisations can still express interest for sponsoring or partnership opportunities until July 22, 2025. Join us in this visual journey to illuminate the complex relationship between gender and water. Together, we can celebrate the strength of diversity in water stewardship and support a future where gender equity drives sustainable water solutions.
2024 Photostory Contest: Water Towers | Open from August 10 – December 8
In 2024, Onewater and UNESCO WWAP partnered with MPB, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the City of Burghausen for the theme "Water Towers". Anticipating the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation in 2025, this contest sheds light on the urgent issues surrounding melting glaciers, celebrates diverse forms of water storage, and explores the concept of “water towers” as critical sources of life and preservation. The contest succeeded to
- Document the impact of climate change and glacial retreat on nature and people, from source to sea, capturing the cascading effects on ecosystems and communities.
- Capture the essence of both natural and built water storage systems, showcasing their vital role in sustaining life while acknowledging the challenges of changing environments and landscapes.
- Explore the emergence of new, metaphorical "water towers," such as innovative water management solutions, alternative freshwater sources, and artistic expressions that reimagine our relationship with water.
2023 Photostory Contest: Walk of Water – Water for Peace and Prosperity
In collaboration with UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme, Onewater successfully completed the annual Walk of Water photo story contest with the theme "Water for Peace and Prosperity." This global initiative invited photographers and storytellers to capture water’s profound role in fostering peace, harmony, and sustainable development. Receiving over 800 submissions from participants worldwide, the contest offered diverse and inspiring perspectives, emphasizing the universal yet deeply personal significance of water.The contest succeeded to
- Frame water as a crucial peacebuilding tool, particularly in transboundary regions where shared resources require cooperation and collaboration.
- Highlight water's indispensable role in community prosperity at all levels, from local livelihoods to national economies.
- Elevate water as a tool for problem-solving, conflict prevention, and sustainable solutions, showcasing its power to unite rather than divide.
Exhibition Highlights
- Walk of Water – 28 Stories, Haus der Fotografie, Burghausen, Germany | July 22 – November 3, 2024
The Walk of Water exhibition at Burghausen Castle showcased 28 compelling photo stories from awarded photographers, drawing significant local and international interest. Weekly guided tours in multiple languages enriched the visitor experience, and a virtual exhibition extended access to global audiences.
- Earth Technology Expo, Florence, Italy | September 2024
At the Earth Technology Expo, Italy showcased its leadership in environmental technologies for managing soil, sea, groundwater, and ecosystems. This event, targeted at researchers, public administrators, and professionals, emphasized the use of technology and innovation to address environmental and water-related challenges. Onewater’s Walk of Water exhibition offered a unique perspective by celebrating cultural and collaborative approaches to water management alongside technological advancements.
- UN Ocean Decade Conference, Barcelona, Spain | April 2024
Onewater co-organized the Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Mixer Event, combining networking, live music, and curated photo stories with an ocean conservation focus. Sponsored by Fundación MarViva and Focused on Nature, the event included a documentary screening of Somos OceanoS and letters to the sea written by children, fostering meaningful dialogue among over 200 attendees.
- World Water Day Conference, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris | March 2024
Celebrating World Water Day, Onewater and UNESCO WWAP presented a TED-style exhibition showcasing impactful photo stories that explored water’s role in both peace and conflict. This event underscored water’s potential to inspire dialogue and drive sustainable development.
- CWRA/BCWWA World Water Day, Vancouver, Canada | March 2024
A curated selection of 15 photo stories reflected water’s transformative role in fostering peace and prosperity, celebrating its impact on communities and the environment.
2022 Photostory Contest: Water for Partnership and Cooperation
In 2022–2023, Onewater and UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme launched the Water for Partnership and Cooperation photo story contest to celebrate the deep interconnections between water, culture, and collaboration. The contest aimed to raise awareness of water’s influence on heritage, arts, and creativity while showcasing its role in promoting sustainable water management and inspiring policies through cultural perspectives.
By engaging diverse voices—including artists, cultural practitioners, and civil society—the contest demonstrated how shared efforts can enhance water stewardship, unite communities, and foster a deeper appreciation for nature. Winning submissions told powerful stories of cooperation and collective action, highlighting innovative partnerships that address water challenges and inspire global solidarity.
Exhibition Highlights
- UN 2023 Water Conference, New York | March 2023
In collaboration with IHE Delft, InfoNile, WAMU-NET, and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, the Walk of Water exhibition addressed the theme of intergenerational equity in water management. This multidisciplinary showcase emphasized the interconnected roles of past, present, and future generations in managing water resources.
The exhibition featured five curated sections:
-> I Remember Water: A historical journey through photographs, showcasing water’s role in shaping human societies (curated by WAMU-NET).
-> #EverydayNile: A powerful narrative of life along the Nile River, celebrating the communities and cultures across riparian countries (curated by IHE Delft and InfoNile).
-> Partnerships and Cooperation for Water: Inspired by the UN World Water Development Report 2023, this section underscored the importance of collaboration to overcome water challenges (curated by UNESCO WWAP and Water Science Policy).
-> The Water We Want: Children’s drawings expressing hopes and anxieties about the future of water (curated by WAMU-NET).
-> Gateway for the Future of the Mediterranean:
An exploration of water, energy, and food systems through the lens of ancient Mediterranean mythology (curated by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre).
2021 Contest: Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible
In 2021–2022, Onewater (formerly Water Science Policy), in partnership with UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme launched the first Groundwater Photostory Contest. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about groundwater depletion—a critical yet often overlooked issue that affects 2 billion people globally by providing drinking water and supporting food production.
The contest aligned with the 2022 UNESCO World Water Development Report and sought to "make the invisible visible" by using visual storytelling to highlight groundwater's critical role and the urgent need for better resource management. By encouraging participants to break down complex scientific issues into relatable imagery, the contest connected people emotionally to the challenges of groundwater depletion, sparking awareness of, and action for, sustainable water use.
The competition, supported by the IWRA and the GWP, reached a diverse, global audience through multilingual and multimedia storytelling approaches. Winning submissions offered powerful insights into groundwater's fragile state and the communities most affected by its decline.
Exhibition Highlights
- UN-Water Summit on Groundwater, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris | December 2022
Following the success of the contest, Onewater curated a visually striking exhibition titled “Make the Invisible Visible.” Displayed on a prominent fence and within the atrium at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the exhibition drew attention from both water professionals attending the UN-Water Summit on Groundwater and the general public. The exhibition’s carefully selected photographs captured the urgency of groundwater challenges, showcasing stories of depletion, community resilience, and the unseen significance of this vital resource. By sparking meaningful dialogue, it emphasized the need for collective action to achieve water sustainability and resilience.
- Groundwater Book Launch, Oxford University | November 2022
As a follow-up to the contest, Onewater successfully crowdfunded the “Groundwater” book, a comprehensive publication featuring some of the contest's most impactful stories. Presented at Oxford University, the book includes:
-> Prominent photo stories that visually convey the global groundwater crisis.
-> Insights from academics and water professionals, offering expert perspectives on groundwater management.
-> Illustrations and graphics designed to enhance understanding of the topic and engage diverse audiences. This publication serves as a powerful resource for raising awareness, bridging the gap between science and storytelling, and inspiring action to address groundwater challenges.