On April 14, Wavemakers United participated in Leven met Water’s Knowledge Day. The event brought together communication professionals, water authorities, educators, and partners working on the Netherlands’ most urgent water challenges.
This year’s theme, “Fact or Feeling? Communicating in Times of Misinformation,” could not have been more timely. As trust in institutions shifts and misinformation spreads quickly, the way we communicate about water safety, drought, flooding, and water quality becomes just as important as the technical solutions themselves.
During the event, Tilly Stroo and Pet Holman hosted the interactive workshop. Using the storytelling framework from our international education program, they showed how to turn complex water issues into relatable, human stories that inspire understanding and action.
Participants worked through four steps:
- See — observing real water challenges through images and lived experiences
- Understand — identifying the underlying issues and emotions
- Translate — shaping these insights into clear, accessible narratives
- Activate — using storytelling to motivate communities and young people to take action
They shared examples from youth‑led initiatives around the world, showing how young ambassadors can counter misinformation, build trust, and connect global water challenges to local realities.
Across our international network, we see every day that storytelling helps communities understand why water issues matter personally and relatable narratives strengthen trust in experts and institutions. Behaviour begins to change when people feel connected to the story
🤝 We thank Leven met Water for the opportunity to contribute and to learn from so many dedicated professionals working on water resilience in the Netherlands.