1. Innovation Ambassador award
Winner
Abdullah Al-Muyeed – Technical Advisor, Bangladesh
“For being a technological innovation champion”
With nominations from the UK-based Programme Support Unit and the South Asia regional team,
this award is presented to Abdullah Al-Muyeed for leading the pursuit of world class technological
innovations in Bangladesh – using sound scientific methods to test and experiment, and diverse
ways of disseminating and sharing the findings. “Innovative and not afraid to try new things; a real
pusher of technical limits”.
Winner
Charley Day, Supporter Engagement Team Manager, UK
“For empowering others to innovate”
The stand-out nomination among a number of strong candidates within the UK Mass Engagement
team, Charley was praised for her ability to motivate her team to embrace new ways of engaging and
to continually think of how to make improvements – as well as bringing plenty of ideas of her own.
Charley also champions cross-team working across the UK fundraising directorate and the wider
organisation. “I can’t think of a better person to be recognised for innovation, encouraging others to
try new things and to not be afraid of failure”.
Highly commended
Remi Kaupp, Programme Officer, UK
“For challenging the status quo”
Described as “Mr Innovation at WaterAid”, Remi was nominated for the role he plays in championing
innovation across teams and inspiring others to innovate.
Highly commended
John Chiokwe, IT Officer, Nigeria
“For displaying innovation in a support role”
John was nominated by his colleagues for his work in streamlining processes, developing systems,
specifically addressing programme needs, and finding new ways to accelerate change.
Highly commended
Isabelle Herszenhorn, Innovation and Strategic Engagement, UK
“For displaying innovation at many levels, with many positive outcomes”
Izzy is described as “an unstoppable innovator” for her work within the strategic partnerships team,
including the brilliant, engaging, innovative (and profitable) Water Innovators scheme.
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Programme Innovation award
Winner
The Nepal Hygiene Promotion through Immunisation project
“High risk, high benefit, uncharted territory”.
This project received multiple nominations from across WaterAid, with special mentions for the
contributions of Om Prasad Gautam, Yael Velleman, Therese Mahon, Khakindra Bandari, Tripti Rai

2. and the entire team at WaterAid Nepal. It represents the first attempt to build hygiene promotion into
a routine immunisation programme anywhere in the world and has displayed innovation in many
ways – including the fun and engaging educational resources produced, the way it has linked
programme innovation with high level influencing, and the persistence, learning and adaptation
shown in the face of a variety of difficulties encountered over the lifetime of the project.
Highly commended
WaterAid Mali’s strategic partnership with One Drop
“Openness, flexibility and passion for sustainable change”
Praised for their open-minded and flexible approach to implementing this innovate partnership, this
project was jointly nominated by WaterAid Canada and the Strategic Funding Unit.
Highly commended
WaterAid Tanzania and WaterAid Sweden’s ‘A Good Start’ project
“Collaboration and innovation together”
Innovative in both programming and advocacy terms, this project links WASH, sexual and
reproductive health, and human rights and is a great example of working together as one global
WaterAid.
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Special Team Innovation award
Winner
The team behind the “If Men Had Periods” campaign
“Courage, humour, finesse and innovative thinking”
Led by the media and film teams in the UK, this campaign drew praise from across the world, with
nominations from Sweden, America and the UK. “A fantastic video, a great sense of humour, huge
coverage, all while making a serious and substantive point in support of WaterAid’s mission – this set
the bar high for trying something new and doing it well”
Highly commended
US Marketing Team
“For high quality campaigns from a new team”
Created less than a year ago this team have already made a big impression through digital projects
like the Poo Emojis which won widespread acclaim and was nominated for a host of awards”
Highly commended
WaterAid Burkina Faso
“Cutting new pathways for fundraising”
There were various nominations for country programme teams but Burkina Faso receive special
recognition for their ground-breaking ‘Tour de Faso’ which followed on from their ‘Leader-led total
sanitation’ and ‘Sanithon’ projects. They have also enjoyed success in new approaches to
partnerships and advocacy.
Highly commended
UK Philanthropy and trust team
“For outstanding and fresh thinking in approaches to fundraising”
A host of individual nominations (including Charlotte Flew, Michelle Stein, Anna Sheinman, Dalilah
Baruti and Sangeeta Athwal) and some great examples of innovating, thinking outside the box, and
trying new approaches to fundraising and relationship-building – the UK P&T team are doing great
things.