Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: CDM projects potential in Asia need to be realised through institutional streamlining, wide spread expertise knowledge, national strategy on promising areas, and support by industrial sector. CDM-related capacity building program is to address these agenda by utilising Japanese experience and tools of international co-operation and energy policy.
Expected results are:
Smooth start of CDM projects will be foreseen/encouraged and green house gas emission reduction will be achieved. As a result, it will contribute host countries' sustainable development. [more]
Lead Partner: Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) Center, Inc.
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The CAI-Asia Partnership is a multi-sector forum on urban air quality in Asia where partners from different sectors can meet, exchange experiences and engage in dialogue on urban air quality with the aim to promote better urban AQM in Asian cities.
The main goals of the CAI-Asia Partnership are:
(i) Encourage the development and adoption of sound science as the basis of urban air quality management (AQM);
(ii) Stimulate the development and implementation of policies, programs and projects on urban air quality;
(iii) Review progress in urban AQM in Asia and outline future priorities for urban AQM; and
(iv) Foster coordination and cooperation with other regional programs and initiatives on urban air quality management in Asia.
[more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. - Government of United States of America - U.S. Enivronmental Protection Agency (USEPA) - CLASP Secretariat - UNDP-GEF - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) - United Nations Foundation (UNF)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Energy efficiency standards and labels (S&L) for appliances, equipment and lighting are the most cost-effective means to help countries limit energy demand while stimulating economic growth. The overall result of S&L is to reduce required investments in power plants and reduce fuel consumption for their operation with powerful economic gains (e.g., freeing up capital for investments in non-energy social infrastructure like schools, roads or hospitals) and environmental benefits (e.g., avoiding carbon emissions).
CLASP seeks to serve as the primary international voice and resource for policymakers and practitioners of energy efficiency standards and labeling for residential, commercial and industrial equipment and lighting in South and North countries worldwide. It promotes the cost-effective adoption of S&L throughout the world. The overall development objective of CLASP is to transform the manufacture and sale of appliances, equipment and lighting worldwide by the application of energy efficiency standards and labels so that countries develop in a more environmentally sustainable and economically efficient manner. This application engenders several steps including: 1) deciding whether and how to implement energy efficiency standards and labels, 2) developing a testing capability, 3) designing and implementing a labelling program and analysing and setting standards, 4) communicating with all stakeholders, 5) maintaining and enforcing compliance, and 6) evaluating the labelling and standards-setting program.
Worldwide, the use of energy in human activities related to buildings (including use of appliances, equipment and lighting) accounts for 34 percent of total energy consumption.
The direct outputs of the partnership are designed to lead to the adoption of energy efficiency standards and labels in the partner countries. In the process of achieving these outputs the project will build:
* institutional capability for developing, maintaining, and continuously upgrading efficiency standards and labels by providing direct technical assistance in at least 35 developing countries; and
* a network of collaborators around the world with a common mission, bringing attention and high priority to efficiency standards and labels within key development institutions. CLASP is open to all organizations and individuals who have the ability and interest to serve CLASP's mission and are willing to abide by CLASP's published Guiding Principles. CLASP is comprised of a small secretariat and a worldwide assembly of Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities, Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services, Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services, and interested stakeholders as Affiliates.
[more]
Lead Partner: International Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship - Sri Vishwa Deep Gurukul Maheshwarananda Ashram
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Desert Rainwater Harvesting Initiative aims to provide a sustainable source of fresh water for rural communities through a number of innovative strategies designed to promote traditional rainwater harvesting technologies. Through the creation of culturally appropriate rainwater harvesting technologies for rural village communities throughout Rajasthan, the Desert Rainwater Harvesting Initiative will provide a global model for other semi-arid and drought affected regions of the world.
The Rainwater Harvesting activities started as a small scale project to construct a basic rainwater reservoir and provide water delivery via tanker to a few drought affected communities near one of the lead partners "Education and Research Centre's" in the Jadan region of Rajasthan. With the drought extending into its fourth year, it was soon realised through discussion with villagers and from increasing requests for water solutions in communities throughout the wider Rajasthan region that this was an issue on a much larger scale in urgent need of attention.
Objectives:
- Providing a sustainable source of clean drinking water - Water for agriculture to guarantee reliable locally produced food - Improved community health, (by reducing the level of waterborne diseases) - Industry (stimulate sustainable economic growth through a revival of the water dependant agricultural industries) - Improved local environment - (Reforestation, soil conservation, ground water recharge, protection of biodiversity) -
- The combination of providing a range of culturally appropriate rainwater harvesting technologies together with a Village Water Action Plan can be used as a model for drought affected communities throughout India and in other parts of the globe. The Desert Rainwater Harvesting Initiative will form part of a global sustainable development initiative that includes:
- To promote an awareness of the unique challenges faced by rural desert communities in developing nations that stimulates active support from Western countries including financial support, manpower, and the provision of expert advice. Partner organizations will hold regular fundraising initiatives to raise funds for this and related projects. [more]
Lead Partner: Mata Amritanandamayi Mata (MA Math) - Mata Amritanandamayi Mata (MA Math) - Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MA Math)
Geographical Scope: Local Summary: The Farmers' Empowerment Project aims at helping the poorest farmers (and their families) in India gain economic security through sustainable practices and diversifying their means of support.
Specifically, the Farmers' Empowerment Project seeks to reduce the suicide rate among poor Indian farmers suffering from debt and crop failure in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnatika through providing scholarships for educating children, vocational training for women and helping the farmers make the transition to more sustainable practices.
[more]
Lead Partner: International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: GloBallast Advanced, A programmatic framework for the sustainable continuity of the Global Ballast Water Management Project- Building regional partnership for the effective implementation of international arrangements for ballast water control and management in developing countries
Main objectives of the Partnership/Initiative
The ultimate goal of this Initiative is to assist developing countries to reduce the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships' ballast water and to establish regional, integrated strategies to address the threat posed by invasive marine species.
This initiative is a logical extension of the initial project 'Global Ballast Water Management' (GloBallast) executed by IMO since March 2000 and will have a greater regional focus and more emphasis on integrated ocean and coastal zone management.
The development objectives of the Initiative can be summarized as follows:
* To build regional partnership towards effective implementation of global regulations on ballast water management and control;
* To develop and implement national and regional, integrated invasive marine species strategies and action plans; and
* To integrate regional ballast water and invasive marine species programmes with other marine and coastal environmental management arrangements.
This Initiative provides a framework to accomplish the above objectives ensuring that maximum benefits accrue from the foundation work achieved since March 2000 [more]
Lead Partner: Velo Mondial - Velo Mondial
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Partnership/Initiative will execute a 10 year program on each continent, to be evaluated mid term in 2006 and finally in 2012, aiming at the development, promotion and implementation of Cycling Master Planning in countries and cities all over the globe with the aim to contribute to:
* CO2 emission reduction / climate change control /improving air quality
* Road safety & overall traffic management
* Poverty relief
* Sustainable economical development
* Accessibility and Emancipation
* Health promotion
The key action objectives of the Partnership/Initiative are to enhance sustainable development and improve the quality of life in urban communities. The Partnership/Initiative contributes to these objectives, by facilitating national and local authorities to develop and implement a more sustainable transport system with a significant share of non motorized modes.
The bicycle is a clean, non-polluting mode of transport that consumes no fossil fuels and little space, but still, as an alternative to the private automobile, ensures mobility and accessibility. Facilitating cycling is essential in a pro-poor policy, since it saves time and increases income generation opportunities. The Partnership/Initiative presents a broad policy framework for the facilitation of cycling.
Cycling policy directly relates to the Agenda 21 objectives. Its cross sectoral benefits for the World Summit on Sustainable development relate to the quality of life, economic growth and social equity in urban and rural areas. [more]
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The overall goal of the project is to identify and safeguard Globally Important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems through catalyzing and establishing a long-term programme to support such systems and enhance global, national and local benefits derived through their dynamic conservation, sustainable management and enhanced viability.
To achieve this goal, the main objectives are to:
1) Leverage global and national recognition of the importance of GIAHS and institutional support for their safeguard;
2) Build capacity of local farming communities and local and national institutions to conserve and manage GIAHS, generate income and add economic value to goods and services of such systems in a sustainable fashion;
3) Promote enabling policy, regulatory and incentive environments to support their conservation, evolutionary adaptation and viability.
The project will be implemented in 10 pilot systems worldwide. The long term programme will build on the experiences and lessons learnt in up to 10 pilot systems/sites.
The project development phase (PDF-B) (18 months 2004-2005) will
- select the 10 initial systems/sites;
- develop a methodological framework and a step by step approach for the participatory development and implementation of the framework strategy and actions for a ¿dynamic conservation¿ of the pilot systems;
- establish participatory mechanisms and processes and design Pilot Frameworks in each pilot system and country
- develop a communication strategy and plan;
- leverage global and national support and co-funding arrangements for the full scale project
- develop the full project executive summary and project document. for the implementation of the programme.
The fullscale project (2005-2010) will develop and test the methodologies for dynamic conservation and sustainable management of GIAHS in 10 pilot systems through implementation of the pilot frameworks. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: General Objective: to contribute to social and economic development of the populations of the Hindu Kush - Karakorum - Himalaya mountain complex and to the environmental conservation of the region by consolidating institutional capacity for systemic planning and management of the territory, focusing on:
1. reduction of poverty
2. conservation of biodiversity
Specific Objective A: provide instruments (knowledge of the territory, the populations and the technologies for systemic data management) to facilitate the consistency of various national-level actions in area-based planning and management, within the framework of regional level systemic planning and monitoring.Specific Objective B: establish a process of application of the acquired capacities and Decision Support System (DSS) by individual countries in systemic planning and management of mountain areas at a local/national or transboundary level, within the framework of sustainable mountain development.Individual components of these objectives include:* Create a coordinated system for collection and analysis (monitoring) of natural resource data;* Provide decision makers of competent national and local administrations with an instrument (DSS) for systemic territorial planning and management;* Build local institutional capacity to study, analyze and manage natural resources, favoring local community involvement in these processes. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Canada - Natural Resources - Government of South Africa - Department of Minerals and Energy
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objective of the Intergovernmental Forum is to enhance and promote the contribution of the mining, minerals and metals sector to sustainable development.
The functions of the Intergovernmental Forum are consultative and advisory based on the principles of voluntary partnership. The Forum provides governments with a framework in which to discuss the opportunities provided by mining, minerals and metals and to respond to the challenges they pose. The Intergovernmental Forum will meet to share experiences and information, to consider and to provide advice and, where appropriate, make recommendations for consideration by governments, intergovernmental bodies and others. The Intergovernmental Forum will meet at high level or officials level, as appropriate. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Improves the care of people living with HIV/AIDS in heavily affected countries by increasing the capacity for training of HIV/AIDS care providers, including physicians, nurses, clinical administrators, and other key personnel. The IAETP enhances training capacity in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV disease, including the prevention of perinatal transmission and the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections, including TB. The IAETP also develops training and provides technical assistance on the planning, design, and management of regional or national HIV/AIDS training programs and HIV/AIDS care facilities and programs. Long-term technical support is provided by the IAETP to assist partners in the development of a highly trained cadre of healthcare providers and trainers. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - USDA Invasive Species Coordination Program - CAB International
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Globally, the cost of damage caused by invasive species has been estimated to be £1 trillion per year - close to 5% of global GDP. In developing countries, where agriculture accounts for a higher proportion of GDP, the negative impact of invasive species on food security as well as on economic performance, can be even greater.
Globalisation through increased trade, transport, travel and tourism (4Ts), will inevitably increase the intentional or accidental introduction of organisms to new environments, and it is widely predicted that climate change will further increase the threat posed by invasive species.
The partnership:
1) will develop a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge base that will be applied as a powerful reference source improving access to knowledge to assist in the identification of invasive species (IS), determine their impacts, help achieve rapid response to their effects, and deliver management and policy solutions;
2) enhance global knowledge of the threat of invasive species to native species and to native ecosystems;
3) develop a global, web-based Invasive Species Compendium (ISC);
4) commission and compile comprehensive global knowledge on invasive species covering all taxa found in agroecosystems and natural ecosystems;
5) promote and make accessible the ISC to train students and extension staff within national systems so they can manage invasive species more efficiently and effectively;
[more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Developing local capacities and mechanisms for adapting and implementing global principles and norms of sustainable urbanisation (including related MEA¿S e.g. on climate change; air quality; water management, biodiversity);Strengthening the capacities of local (and national) actors for contributing local experiences and expertise to the formulation of global principles and norms. [more]
Lead Partner: Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Methane to Markets Partnership is an international initiative that advances cost-effective, near-term methane recovery and use as a clean energy source. The goal of the Partnership is to reduce global methane emissions in order to enhance economic growth, strengthen energy security, improve air quality, improve industrial safety, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
The Partnership currently focuses on four sources of methane emissions:
- Agriculture (animal waste management)
- Coal mines
- Landfills
- Oil and gas systems [more]
Lead Partner: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Government facilities and services -- national and local -- are often the largest energy users within a country, and government "leadership by example" can be a powerful driver for a national energy efficiency strategy. Every country has important opportunities for more efficient energy management in government facilities and operations such as roads and transit, water and wastewater, and other public services and infrastructure. Government, as a large buyer of energy-using equipment and services, can also lead the entire economy toward greater energy efficiency, creating entry markets for domestic suppliers and stimulating competition in providing high-efficiency products and services. PEPS aims to help spread the concept of public sector energy management to developing countries, encourage new or expanded initiatives, and promote information exchange among countries. The overall goal of the program is to achieve direct energy and cost savings in these countries, and to play a key role in sustainable development by harnessing governments purchasing power to create or expand domestic markets for energy-efficient products and services. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - U.S. Enivronmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air is bringing together governments, industry and non-governmental organizations to increase the use of affordable, reliable, clean, efficient, and safe home cooking and heating practices. More than 147 Partner organizations are contributing their resources and expertise to improve health, livelihood and quality of life by reducing exposure to air pollution, primarily among women and children, from household energy use. The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air is focusing on four priority areas: addressing social/cultural barriers to adopting improved technology; supporting the development of local business models and markets for improved cooking and heating techniques; improving the design and performance of improved fuels and technology; and demonstrating reduced exposure to indoor air contaminants. [more]
Lead Partner: Asian Productivity Organization (APO)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The APO started its Green Productivity (GP) program in the mid-1990s in response to the challenges of sustainable development arising from the recommendations of the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The primary objective of the GP program is to integrate productivity improvement with environmental concerns. GP essentially addresses the triple bottom-line issues of economic profitability, environmental protection, and social fairness.
The APO believes that the GP has a great potential in poverty alleviation and Integrated Community Development (ICD), based on its past experiences in Vietnam. The APO started its GP-ICD projects in 3 communities in Vietnam in 1998 and today 72 communities are implementing GP-ICD for better quality of life, which is poised to become the national program in the coming years. So far the focus has been on water supply, better sanitation, use of waste as the resource for community, natural farming etc.
Another important aspect is the possible linkage with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Many of the GP-ICD projects have resulted in the positive impact on the environment - especially with regard to reduction in usage of coal and the subsequent reduction in the CO2 emissions which could lead to financial support for the communities / local agencies to continue their GP-ICD initiatives. [more]
Lead Partner: REN21 Secretariat - REN21 Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: REN21 is a global policy network that provides a forum for international leadership on renewable energy. Its goal is to bolster policy development for the rapid expansion of renewable energies in developing and industrialised economies.
Open to a wide variety of dedicated stakeholders, REN21 connects governments, international institutions, non-governmental organisations, industry associations, and other partnerships and initiatives.
Linking the energy, development and environment sectors, REN21 strengthens the influence of the unique renewable energy community that came together at the “renewables 2004” conference in Bonn. REN21 is the network in which ideas are shared and action is encouraged to promote renewable energy worldwide. [more]
Lead Partner: REEEP International Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Accelerate a global market for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Systems (REES).
Tremendous financial resources from the private and public sector will be needed to meet developing and transition countries' future energy demand in a sustainable way. Obstacles prohibiting this development include a lack of reliable policies and regulatory measures, and the perceived high risk and low return investments in REES.
The removal of the obstacles to sustainable energy is urgently needed:
- Robust policies and favourable, transparent and stable regulatory frameworks are required to attract private investors and to guarantee affordable energy services to the consumers.
- New forms of financing, risk mitigation and guarantee models will be necessary to make small sized renewables and energy efficiency projects bankable and economically attractive.
REEEP aims to work as an enabler, multiplier and catalyser of institutional change, and to have a real impact over the next decade with the following objectives:
1. Significant global increase of investments in renewable energy
2. Significant global increase of energy efficiency measures
3. Significant increase in access to sustainable energy services for the poor
[more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) - Population Services International (PSI)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The main objective of this partnership is to reduce diarrheal diseases in children under 5 years old and other vulnerable populations through provision of locally-produced water disinfectant, safe water storage containers, and behavior change techniques directed towards improved hygiene.
The goal of providing piped, treated water for all is desirable, but will take considerable resources and time to achieve. While this goal is being pursued, innovative, practical, interim solutions are needed to provide underserved populations with safe water in a more timely fashion. To address this need, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) developed a household-based water quality intervention that employs simple, easily disseminated technology. The basis of the intervention, which is called the Safe Water System (SWS), is:
treatment of contaminated water with locally-produced sodium hypochlorite solution;
safe water storage in plastic containers with a narrow mouth to reduce the risk of water being touched and contaminated;
behavior change techniques, including social marketing and community mobilization. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of the Environment
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Scientific Capacity Building and Enhancement for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries (CAPaBLE) Programme is a concrete initiative introduced by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan and Hyogo Prefecture Government, Japan to specifically realize parts 107 to 114 of the Plan of Implementation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and was registered as a WSSD Type II Partnership/Initiative by the Japanese Government in Johannesburg, September 2002. The programme was endorsed by the APNâs Inter-Governmental Meeting in March 2003 and launched in April, 2003. The objectives of the Programme are targeted to enhance scientific capacity in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region to improve their decision-making in target areas related to climate change, water and food security, and global change that are directly linked to their sustainable development. Of particular relevance to the CAPaBLE Programme is Part 111 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation: Establish regular channels between policy-makers and the scientific community for requesting and receiving science and technology advice for the implementation of Agenda 21, and create and strengthen networks for science and education for sustainable development, at all levels, with the aim of sharing experiences and best practices, and building scientific capacities, particularly in developing countries. [more]
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This is a civil society led, government supported, FAO facilitated undertaking.The preliminary focus of the SARD Initiative has currently been focusing on three themes, which were discussed in the International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions (Adelboden, Switzerland, 6/2002), in the SARD Electronic Forum (6/2002-present) and in a number of local consultations in different regions of the developing world and among some of the NGOs/CSOs attending the World Food Summit: five years later (6/2002). Sub-Initiatives can be organized around the following or other thematic areas of action, based on the interests, priorities, commitment and resources of specific partners involved:
* Access to resources
* Fair conditions of employment
* Good Agricultural Practices for SARD
Given the critical mass of Mountain Governments supporting the SARD Initiative in the Adelboden Declaration, the relevant sub-Initiatives outlined in the Adelboden Plan of Action, and that 2002 is the International Year of the Mountains, it has been proposed that the Initiative should begin with a mountain focus, subject to the interest and resources of concerned stakeholders. The Initiative may capitalize on other key conferences and International Years, for instance, 2003 is the International Year of Fresh Water. [more]
Lead Partner: The Barefoot College
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The Global Rain Harvesting Collective (GRWHC) has been established is to provide drinking water to schools facing an acute shortage all over the world, through roof top rain water harvesting in schools.
Rural communities all over the world have been collecting rainwater where it falls from time immemorial. In their fields, in open tanks and in traditional open wells. It was a technology that was accepted and applied on a large scale in the deserts, tribal regions and in the mountains.
This age old method is suggested as an alternative to the wasteful and costly use of hand pumps and piped water supply systems. Rural communities have the technical competence to collect rainwater where it falls. It also wants to provide this facility to community service centers.
The aim is to deliver tangible and sustainable results through a large number of small projects in many different countries at minimal operational and management cost. The `Demonstration Effect¿ of these projects may induce other stakeholders to replicate the process.
Collecting rain water in public places also has considerable social benefits. It provides water to poor children who otherwise have to walk for miles to fetch water.
Collected water is managed by local community hence they are less dependent on outside source.
Schools become more attractive because of the availability of drinking water. Mothers are prepared to send their children to school for sweet drinking water in non potable areas where water is brackish
It makes it more attractive for women to attend meetings at village centers such as about child care, health, education, literacy, and income generation activities.
Linking clean rooftop water to sanitation has reduced the incidence of water borne diseases. With the water comes sanitation(hand flushed latrines).
Education, poverty alleviation, gender equity objectives, implementation of environmental plans and community development programs can be achieved through rain water harvesting.
Likewise, low technology approaches such as water recharge through slowing down of run-off and also diverting surface run-off water into unused and abandoned open wells in villages, and installing large rainwater storage tanks carved into hillside, in fact a variation on terracing, provides similar benefits.
The Global Rainwater Harvesting Collective Programme[GRWHC] has two objectives
a)To collect rainwater from roof tops in community places like schools, dispensaries, family planning clinics, training centers, and women¿s hostels in desert and mountain rural and semi-urban areas:
b) To collect as much surface water in unused open wells in villages as possible so that the dry hand pumps in the thousands could be revitalized and these assets can be productive again.
The Basic Aim is to campaign for roof top rain water harvesting in schools as a Global Movement. [more]
Lead Partner: Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The SEED Initiative inspires, supports and researches exceptional, entrepreneurial, nascent, multi-stakeholder partnerships for locally-led sustainable development in order to contribute to the delivery of the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
The initiative focuses on 'business as unusual' - innovative action delivering real solutions through project cooperation among small and large businesses, local and international NGOs, women's groups, labour organisations, public authorities and UN agencies, and others working in the field of sustainable development.
Through an international award scheme, intensive capacity-building activities and a research programme, the SEED Initiative endeavors to stimulate and build the capacity of outstanding start-up enterprises executing action on the ground; create a conduit for investment in partnerships; disseminate good practice and lessons-learned from successful partnerships to inspire further new partnerships; and generate evidence-based research to assist policy makers.
The SEED Initiative aims to:
• support outstanding and innovative start-up entrepreneurs working in partnership in developing countries to improve livelihoods and manage natural resources sustainably
• develop practical tools to help social and environmental entrepreneurs to scale up
• influence policy-makers to create enabling environments for sustainable development businesses
• inspire new entrepreneurial ventures to deliver social and environmental benefits.
Lead Partner: Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The core activity of WASH emphasizes the teaching of basic sanitation and hygiene to communities and school children with a particular focus on girls' education and gender equality, as a necessary complement to the success of water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
This integrated approach to the delivery of basic services is the product of "lessons learned" from the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990). While advancements were made in increasing the access to safe drinking water, less progress was made on the provision of sanitation services and in hygiene education and training. These valuable lessons are now the focus of a global effort to improve the health and productivity of the urban and rural poor in the developing world.
The core activity is complemented by a recent initiative to deliver by 2015, safe, affordable and reliable water, sanitation to over 1.1 billion people who have no access to water supply and to more than 2.6 billion people who have no adequate sanitation. A WASH Partnership, jointly agreed between the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and UNICEF, seeks to contribute towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) seven, target 10, through a combination of actions directed at influencing policy at national level and global level, and effecting behavioural change at the grassroots level. The WASH Partnership supports coalition-building among multi-stakeholders at national and grassroots level. With advocacy at the centre of these main activities, it focuses on demand-creation, behavioural change, capacity building and implementation, to reach 15 million people with sanitation and hygiene by 2015 (â15 by 15 projectâ). [more]
Lead Partner: Government of India - Karnataka Urban Development Infrastructure and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) - Government of United States of America - USAID
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Purpose: The Alliance Watergy Program works with local and regional partners in developing countries to develop sustainable strategies for increasing energy efficiency within municipal water supply systems. While water provision is the immediate concern of water utilities, energy for water pumping and treatment is one of the main components of a water utility¿s costs. In many developing countries the energy used for the basic service of water provision to urban residents accounts anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of a municipality¿s total budget. The fact that large numbers of people in the developing world still lack ready access to water places more pressure upon decision makers to develop sustainable energy and water management strategies. The Alliance Watergy Program¿s efforts are based upon a holistic model that incorporates the participation of important stakeholders involved in sustainable development of the urban area, and the sustained development of their technical, managerial and financial capacities to overcome the energy inefficiencies in municipal systems. This is done by systematically addressing a range of issues that affect municipalities such technical and managerial capacities, education and awareness, team building, equipment rehabilitation and maintenance, non-revenue water reductions, proper pressure management, effective demand side management, pre-paid water metering, etc. Through these efforts, the Alliance Watergy Program aims to achieve the larger purpose of providing local and regional institutions and organizations with a sustainable framework and the proper tools for addressing the long-term water and energy needs of their peoples.
Goals: The Watergy program evolves and changes as efficiency models are developed and new opportunities emerge. Goals for the program include:
- Build institutional capacity to improve water and energy resource management
- Advocate and assist in the integration of energy efficiency considerations in developing countries, primarily in the efficient operation and maintenance of systems supplying water services
- Promote energy-efficient technologies and practices, especially in optimizing and modernizing municipal water supply systems
- Increase education and awareness concerning energy efficiency and environmentally sound water and energy systems
- Develop innovative financing mechanisms to implement projects aimed at improving energy use in water delivery
- Develop centers of excellence on energy for sustainable development to support and promote capacity building efforts and technology transfer activities and serve as information clearinghouses [more]
to collapse the Summary of Partnerships.