Villa Colombella – WWAP UNESCO Headquarters
The Italian seat of the World Water Assessment Program, a UNESCO center of excellence dedicated to monitoring and managing the world’s freshwater resources through scientific research and international collaboration.
At a glance
Villa Colombella houses the Secretariat of the World Water Assessment Program (WWAP), a UNESCO initiative established in 2000 to conduct periodic assessments of global water resources. The villa’s four buildings occupy two hectares in the hamlet of Colombella, five minutes from Perugia’s historic center. Since 2007, it has served as an international center of excellence, funded by the Italian Government and the Umbria Region.
History
WWAP was founded in 2000 under UNESCO’s auspices as an international program to assess the world’s water resources. Initially headquartered in Paris, the organization sought a location aligned with its mission of environmental stewardship. Multiple countries applied to host the secretariat, but UNESCO selected Villa Colombella in recognition of Umbria’s demonstrated environmental commitment and the University of Foreigners of Perugia’s substantial contributions to water resource studies.
The villa had previously housed WARREDOC (Water Resources Research and Documentation Center) for more than twenty years, creating an established research foundation. This institutional continuity proved decisive in the selection process.
What you see
The complex comprises four buildings set within extensive grounds of two hectares. The architecture provides functional spaces for international research, administration, and academic collaboration.
Cultural significance
WWAP coordinates thirty-one United Nations agencies and thirty-nine UN-WATER partners in producing the authoritative World Water Development Report (WWDR) annually—the UN’s flagship assessment of global water resources. The program equips water managers and policy makers with data, tools, and knowledge necessary for developing sustainable water policies.
Villa Colombella represents Umbria’s international role in environmental governance. The synergy between WWAP and the University of Foreigners of Perugia creates a research hub addressing critical global freshwater challenges, from monitoring resource availability to training professionals from developing countries.
Key facts
- Address: Via dei Ceraioli, 45, 06134 Perugia
- Coordinates: 43.15685056654577, 12.480329275131226
- UNESCO center of excellence since 2007
- Funded by the Italian Government and Umbria Region
- Phone: 075 591 1011
- Official website: http://www.unesco.it/it/UnescoInItalia/Detail/197
Practical information
The villa is not a public tourist attraction. Visits are arranged through official channels for professional and academic purposes. Contact the headquarters directly for inquiries regarding research collaborations or educational programs.
Getting there
Villa Colombella is located in the hamlet of Colombella, approximately five minutes by car from Perugia’s historic center. The address is Via dei Ceraioli, 45, 06134. Public transport connections to Perugia are available via regional and national rail services.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.