A network of basin organisations claimed that given the scope of their activities, Principles 2, 4 and 10 related to managing water at the right scale, the capacity of responsible authorities to face water challenges and stakeholder engagement, received special attention. The low rate of responses does not allow for a thorough assessment of “why” these organisations did not use of the Principles. However, several reasons were reported, including poor understanding of the Principles within their organisation, encountering capacity challenges related to staff, time or funding, weak alignment of the Principles with their organisational priorities, and prior implementation of the Principles in the respondent’s country of residence.