building capacity for
sustainable hydropower

From training to project readiness, we can support you

We work with hydropower developers, owners and institutions to strengthen decision-making for people, nature and the climate. Our capacity-building services combine training, technical advisory and hands-on project support across the hydropower lifecycle.

Our services are designed to meet organisations where they are, whether you are building internal capacity, screening ESG risks early, or preparing for a formal assessment against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS).

Pre-assessment
& ESG risk support

For organisations seeking early insight into ESG risks and gaps, we work with you to understand and address key risks through targeted pre-assessment aligned with the HSS.

Risk mapping of high-priority ESG topics
Identification of red flags and information gaps
Practical recommendations aligned with the HSS
Delivered through a concise Pre-Assessment Report

ESG Risk Analysis

Assessment Preparation Support

Stakeholder mapping and interview planning
Draft site visit schedule
Evidence register development
Support teams to engage confidently with Assessors

Self-assessment
& expert validation

For organisations wishing to lead their own assessment process, we provide structured self-assessment support combined with expert validation.

Self-assessment against the HSS reporting template
Site visit by HSA trainers and an Accredited Lead Assessor
Verification of findings and expert feedback
Identification of strengths, gaps, and improvement priorities

This includes:

Comprehensive support programmes

Our most comprehensive programmes support organisations through the
full journey of sustainability improvement.

Certified User Training
Structured Self-Assessment with Expert Validation
Gap Resolution Workshops to develop action plans
Follow-up technical support to reinforce learning and define next steps
Add-on trainings: Internal Assessor, Executive Leadership, specific trainings on HSS topics.

These programmes are ideal for organisations aiming for strong assessment outcomes, portfolio-wide consistency, or leadership in sustainable hydropower. More information on trainings can be found here.

We work with you to design integrated programmes that can include:

Get in touch

Whether you are at an early planning stage or preparing for an assessment, we work with you to design a support programme that meets your needs and strengthens sustainability outcomes.

If you have a question, an idea, or you just want to say hello, feel free to reach out to us on info@hs-alliance.org.

Our donors and partners

Our capacity-building work is supported by leading international partners and donors, enabling long-term, regionally embedded programmes and knowledge transfer.

SECO

Norad

The World Bank

FMO

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

We have partnered with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to promote sustainable hydropower development across numerous countries: Indonesia, Albania and the Western Balkans, Tajikistan and Central Asia, Colombia and Morocco and Maghreb region. The work is delivered through a four-year capacity building programme and a fund for the realisation of sustainability assessments for promising hydropower projects.

With the financial support of SECO, we have published a series of How-to Guides to enhance knowledge and understanding of the practical measures that can be undertaken to meet good international industry practice.

As a member of the governance committee, SECO has been a strong supporter of our programmes to strengthen institutional capacity and enable development of climate-aligned hydropower projects.

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)

With the support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), we have been working actively in Nepal, Mozambique and Myanmar. Through the capacity building programmes, we have delivered a number of trainings and workshops to increase the developmental impact and sustainability of hydropower projects by empowering local organisations to become ambassadors of the HS Standard and drive change in their respective organisations.

Our programme and the HS Standard are playing a strong role in bridging the gap between governments, financial institutions, industry and NGOs. Through our work, we aim to facilitate strong cooperation among various hydropower stakeholders to improve hydropower project performance, provide confidence to investors and enhance trust from the civil society.

The World Bank

The World Bank has been a guiding force in the development and governance of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard and the predecessor sustainability tools since their creation in 2007. The World Bank has applied the sustainability assessment framework to eight of its projects across four regions, and worked to increase institutional knowledge among its clients and governments.

The World Bank has been instrumental in aligning the HS Standard with the World Bank and IFC standards to support hydropower developers in meeting World Bank funding requirements and assist World Bank staff in their operations.

In collaboration with the World Bank, we have been working to strengthen cooperative management and development of hydropower sector within the Zambezi Basin and Nepal.

Read more about the World Bank’s recommendation to its clients on the use of the sustainability framework here.

Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO)

With the support of FMO, we implemented a targeted technical assistance and capacity-building programme in Nepal to strengthen the integration of ESG risk considerations in hydropower financing.

Working closely with NMB Bank and key government stakeholders, we piloted the HydroSelect tool on five hydropower projects and delivered hands-on training to build institutional capacity for early-stage ESG risk screening. The programme also supported the official launch of HydroSelect in Nepal in April 2025.