International focus and projects

Stichting Blauwe Lijn (Blue Line Foundation) contributes to international projects, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of the water management pioneers of the past to help today’s and tomorrow’s Dutch water engineers address water safety challenges and current water-related issues in other countries, including Japan.

Given their international reach and influence, our historical water management pioneers can also contribute to international studies, research and projects. Their historic expertise in hydraulic engineering, together with the lessons, insights, visions and stories they have left behind, can be shared to inspire and inform water management solutions around the world.

Water-related challenges will become increasingly significant in the years ahead, both in the Netherlands and abroad. These include rising sea levels, higher river discharges, saltwater intrusion and drought. We believe it is essential to continue addressing these challenges internationally, working together with young people and local communities. Our aim is to develop sustainable plans and innovative ideas that take into account the many challenges facing each region, enabling people to live in harmony with water.

Now and in the future. Beyond the borders of the Netherlands. Working together with international universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes and public authorities, we are active in the following countries:

JapANESE projects Englisch projects

Our trailer

This trailer provides a compelling insight into the vision and philosophy of our foundation, highlighting the vital role young people play in shaping a water-safe future for the Netherlands.

How we work

Built on Three Pillars

Connecting Three Pillars for International Impact

Stichting Blauwe Lijn brings together three interconnected pillars:

Preserving Knowledge, Developing Knowledge and Connecting Knowledge. In our international projects, we explore how these three pillars can be linked to create a stronger, shared narrative that connects water heritage, knowledge development and knowledge exchange across national borders.

Preserving Knowledge means recognising, safeguarding and sharing the historical water engineering heritage of the Netherlands and other countries. By bringing together historical waterworks, archives, expertise and the stories of past generations, we create a valuable foundation for international collaboration and mutual learning.

Developing Knowledge builds on this heritage by connecting historical insights and engineering solutions with today's and tomorrow's water challenges. Through collaboration with international universities, students, experts, research institutes and public authorities, we explore how lessons from the past can inspire innovative and sustainable approaches to water safety, climate adaptation and spatial planning.

Connecting Knowledge brings these insights together and makes them accessible to a wider audience. By linking heritage, research, education and public engagement, we encourage knowledge exchange between generations and countries, strengthen water awareness and inspire young people to contribute to a water-resilient future.

In our international projects, we aim to bring these three pillars together wherever possible. By connecting heritage with contemporary research and translating knowledge into practical applications and engaging stories, we create opportunities for countries to learn from one another and develop solutions together.

Our ambition is to build bridges between the past, the present and the future, connecting people, knowledge and water challenges across borders. In this way, Stichting Blauwe Lijn seeks to contribute to a shared international understanding of water, in which historical heritage becomes a source of inspiration for innovation, collaboration and a sustainable, water-resilient future.

Who Do We Do This For?

Stichting Blauwe Lijn is first and foremost dedicated to young people aged 8 to 30 years, engaging them in important water-related challenges through a diverse range of inspiring projects and educational experiences. We want them to become the new watermasters!

The stories, knowledge and achievements of the Dutch water engineering pioneers of the past can serve as a powerful source of inspiration, particularly when young people have the opportunity to experience iconic water infrastructure firsthand, including the Delta Works, innovative dikes and other hydraulic engineering projects. By connecting historical knowledge with real-world experiences, we aim to stimulate their creativity, strengthen their innovative thinking and encourage them to contribute to the water challenges of today and tomorrow.

We also believe it is important to share the stories of these water engineering pioneers with the wider Dutch public. By raising awareness of our rich water heritage, we hope to inspire new ideas and perspectives that can be incorporated into education and shared with our partners.

Our wider target groups include citizens, government experts, knowledge institutes, businesses and international visitors to the Netherlands. By bringing these groups together, Stichting Blauwe Lijn creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and public engagement.

Our ambition extends beyond national borders. Through international projects and partnerships, we aim to connect young people, professionals and communities across countries, sharing historical water engineering knowledge and learning from one another's experiences. In doing so, we seek to inspire the next generation of water professionals and encourage collaborative solutions for a water-resilient future.

First “New Water Master” Certificates Awarded

Stichting Blauwe Lijn has awarded its first New Water Master certificates to students from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) who conducted a study in Japan in September, as well as to students from the class of 1972 whose long-forgotten report on the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier has been brought back into the spotlight and given renewed relevance for today's water challenges.

This initiative connects generations of water experts, bringing historical knowledge and experience together with new research and perspectives. By recognising both the achievements of today's students and the lasting value of earlier generations' work, Stichting Blauwe Lijn aims to inspire young people and demonstrate how lessons from the past can contribute to the water challenges of the future.