Bonn, Germany, 15 January 2021 – The EU-WOP Programme has launched a call for proposals for not-for-profit peer partnerships. This is the first step in a four-year Programme, financed by the European Union and implemented by GWOPA UN-Habitat, supporting water and sanitation utilities through Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs). Worldwide, 2.1 billion people are still without contamination-free water, available whenever they need it. Figures relating to sanitation are even more alarming with 4.5 billion still lacking safe services that protect them from disease. The COVID-19 crisis has driven home the life-saving value of water and sanitation service delivery systems.