Andrea Cáceres Almendrades Founder & Executive Director

The AWA Project, Spain

Andrea is the Founder and Executive Director of The AWA Project, a youth-led organization dedicated to advancing equality between people and water. Originally from Mexico City and raised in Lima, Peru, she is currently based in Madrid, Spain. Over the past five years, Andrea has led a global network of young changemakers, spearheading advocacy, education, and impact-driven initiatives that empower youth to become water leaders and create meaningful change in their communities. Under her leadership, The AWA Project recently earned special accreditation to participate in the UN 2026 Water Conference, making it the only youth-led Peruvian organization recognized as a key stakeholder in this global dialogue. Andrea holds a BA in Human Geography and is an alumna of the Munk One Program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto. She also holds a Master’s degree in International Development from the IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, where she was recognized as an IE Foundation Fellow and winner of the Women Empowerment Challenge, which granted her a full scholarship. Her professional experience spans the private sector, public sector, and civil society, giving her a unique cross-sectoral perspective on the power of collaboration to drive sustainable impact. She has been invited to speak at leading global platforms, including World Water Week (where she was recognized as an Arup Young Water Professional), the UN Youth Assembly, and MENA Climate Week. Andrea’s work has been recognized both nationally and internationally. She was honored by Peru’s Congress as a Bicentennial Youth Leader, named one of The Bloom's 30 Under 30 in Social Impact, and received the IE Alumni EPIC Award in the Human Success category for her dedication to social change.