Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At IWater, we are committed to a policy and culture of inclusion and equality for all our members, staff and stakeholders.
Our Policy
IWater strives to be a place where people with different perspectives and from different backgrounds and experiences can come together, bringing valuable insights to enhance the way we work.
We bring this policy to life by educating on and promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion where we can value and recognise people’s differences.
Accessibility Support Fund
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of their IWater membership. That’s why, in 2023, we introduced our Accessibility Support Fund.
As part of our ongoing commitment to living our values and being an inclusive organisation, we recognise that some individuals may need additional support to fully engage with our services. Whether it’s attending events, accessing professional development opportunities, or getting involved in volunteering, this fund is here to help ensure that accessibility challenges don’t stand in the way.
The Accessibility Support Fund is a small pot of financial resources allocated to help members overcome accessibility-related barriers. It has previously supported communication needs and other requirements to enable participation in IWater events, but it can be used more broadly depending on individual circumstances. All current IWater members are eligible to apply, and each request is considered on a case-by-case basis. We aim to make the process as simple and supportive as possible.
You’ll see this fund mentioned across our website, including our events pages. If you think it could support your engagement with IWater, or if you’d simply like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help and we’re committed to making sure IWater is accessible to each and every member.
Our EDI Reports
Measuring diversity data is crucial for promoting fairness and equity by identifying disparities and informing targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Through this work, we ensure that our Institute benefits from diverse perspectives and strengthens member engagement and retention.
Regular measurement enables IWater to track progress, set benchmarks, and hold ourselves accountable, while also guiding strategic decision-making as we continue to build and grow the Institute of Water.
Black Voices in the Water Industry
In 2020, members of our Welsh area committee started an initiative called ‘Black Voices in the Water Industry’.
It began as an opportunity for IWater’s BAME members and others in wider the water industry to share their experiences of racism and discrimination. It has now grown to delve more deeply into what we can do as an industry to become more inclusive.
As an introduction to this series, you watch the following webinars on ou YouTube channel, ‘Black Voices in the Water Industry’ and ‘Active Allyship in the Workplace.
EDI Toolkit
In 2023, IWater collaborated with MOSL to create a EDI Toolkit. In 2024, we updated it to reflect more learnings.
We hope that by sharing this toolkit, we can empower those within our sector and beyond to do more for their colleagues by learning and gaining the confidence to have open conversations. This is by no means the answer to all of our workplace and societal issues, but a step in the journey of trying to achieve equality and inclusion for all.