Global Water Challenge (GWC) and Ashoka’s Changemakers invite everyone to join "Tapping Local Innovation: Unclogging the Water and Sanitation Crisis," an online competition to discover and support entrepreneurs with groundbreaking approaches to the world’s water and sanitation challenges. Also today, director of Oscar-winning films, Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Shekhar Kapur launches a blog on Changemakers.net inspired by his latest film, Paani ("Water"), which will examine the daily struggle for water in the slums of Mumbai.
"In celebration of World Water Day, we join today all social innovators from around the world who are making access to clean drinking water and sanitation a reality," said Ashoka’s Changemakers Executive Director, Charlie Brown.
Innovators must submit their entries by March 26, 2008. The GWC is pleased to announce that upon the close of the competition, selected entries will be invited to submit proposals for funding consideration. With a gift from The Coca-Cola Company, US$1 million in grants is available from GWC to implement innovative entrepreneurial approaches that further its mission of universal access to water and sanitation.
More than 100 innovations have already poured in from 35 countries. For example, in Sudan, an innovator has launched a bartering system to exchange a local natural resource for water treatment equipment that radically reduces waterborne diseases. A Nigerian entrepreneur creates cheap, clean, and sustainable energy from human waste. Anyone can review entries and get involved through open online discussions.
"We have both the resources and the will to live in a world in which everyone can drink clean water and use a safe toilet," said Paul Faeth, Executive Director of GWC. "This competition is showing the impact that social entrepreneurs working in the farthest corners of the world can have."
Via: (Ashoka’s Changemakers)
Cast Your Vote in The Global Competition — Tapping Local Innovation: Unclogging the Water and Sanitation Crisis
Ashoka’s Changemakers and Global Water Challenge invite you to vote for the most innovative approaches to providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation worldwide.
We’ve received 265 entries from 54 countries, and 9 finalists were chosen for their pioneering ideas:
1. Naandi Foundation, India
2. WaterParterns, United States
3. City Garbage Recyclers, Kenya
4. Ecotact – Innovating Sanitation, Kenya
5. Swayam Shikshan Prayog, India
6. Himanshu Parikh Consulting Engineers, India
7. The Clean Shop, South Africa
8. Centre for Community Organisation and Development, Malawi
9. Manna Energy Foundation, United States
Now we need your help: Log onto http://www.changemakers.net, read through these inventive solutions and select your 3 favorites by May 11. The three winners will each receive $5,000.
Your voice is vital. Vote today!
Cast Your Vote in The Global Competition — Tapping Local Innovation: Unclogging the Water and Sanitation Crisis
Ashoka’s Changemakers and Global Water Challenge invite you to vote for the most innovative approaches to providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation worldwide.
We’ve received 265 entries from 54 countries, and 9 finalists were chosen for their pioneering ideas:
1. Naandi Foundation, India
2. WaterParterns, United States
3. City Garbage Recyclers, Kenya
4. Ecotact – Innovating Sanitation, Kenya
5. Swayam Shikshan Prayog, India
6. Himanshu Parikh Consulting Engineers, India
7. The Clean Shop, South Africa
8. Centre for Community Organisation and Development, Malawi
9. Manna Energy Foundation, United States
Now we need your help: Log onto http://www.changemakers.net, read through these inventive solutions and select your 3 favorites by May 11. The three winners will each receive $5,000.
Your voice is vital. Vote today!