WTM London, part of RX Global’s exhibition portfolio, has given its largest ever donation to international safe water charity Just a Drop, thanks to record-breaking generosity at last year’s show.
The 2025 event raised £8,300 through exhibitor donations, which was then doubled by WTM London with match funding, bringing the total to £16,600. With visitors also encouraged to donate directly via the WTM London registration form, the show’s overall financial contribution will be even higher. The charity was also gifted stand space to host meetings and raise its profile among those attending.
Just a Drop has been WTM London’s charity partner for 28 years and since then, WTM London has raised over £140,000, supporting 12,574 people across 17 safe water projects in 9 countries. With the partnership now renewed for another year, momentum is already building toward an even bigger total at this year’s show.
Sustainable support for farming communities
The money raised through WTM London 2025 is funding a Watershed Restoration Programme, supporting agricultural communities in Nicaragua.
Watersheds are areas of high land that naturally hold water before it flows into rivers, seas, or basins. Conservation can help them store more underground water, which can then be used safely by local communities. Well-managed watersheds also create richer, more fertile soil, helping farmers to grow crops to feed their families or to sell.
Delivered through Just a Drop’s local partner El Porvenir, the programme will also encourage sustainable farming through land management systems such as agroforestry, which integrates trees and shrubs with crop growing and livestock grazing.
Other soil and water conservation measures and community‑led environmental education will also feature. Together, the initiatives will help restore forest cover, improve water management, strengthen livelihoods, and build long‑term resilience for farming communities.
Though overall Nicaragua is water-rich, the country’s civil war destroyed much of its infrastructure, meaning it can be difficult for people in drought prone areas to easily access the vital resource. Natural disasters have added to the problem. Currently 19% of Nicaragua’s population does not have access to safe water.
The watershed programme is focusing on the Waslala and Camoapa regions of Nicaragua, where rural, agriculture‑dependent communities are increasingly affected by climate challenges such as drought and soil degradation. Additional co‑funding will help to extend the project’s reach and impact.
Enduring charity partnership
Chris Carter-Chapman, WTM London’s Event Director, commented: “We are proud to be a Just a Drop Founding Partner and delighted to see our financial contribution rise to new heights in 2025 thanks to the continued generosity of show exhibitors and attendees.
“Championing sustainability is an important part of our ethos and it’s always satisfying to see the real impact we can make by supporting Just a Drop’s vital work in this field.”
Fiona Jeffery OBE, Founder and President of Just a Drop, added: “Access to safe water changes lives, not only by protecting the health of communities, but also by securing the livelihoods they rely on.
“Thanks to the record-breaking donation from WTM London 2025, we will be able to support a watershed project in Nicaragua, which will change the lives of rural communities both now and in the years to come. We’re very grateful to WTM for their continued support and to everyone who has helped make this project a reality.”
Just a Drop will be exhibiting at WTM London 2026, where visitors can find out more about the charity’s projects and how they can get involved. The show remains a long-standing supporter of the charity’s water projects worldwide.
