WaterPartners

File:EthiopiaWaterBearers.jpg

Ethiopian Water Bearers (WaterPartners International)

WaterPartners International was a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Founded in 1990, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa in 2009 to form Water.org, co-founded by Gary White and actor Matt Damon. The organization's mission was to empower local communities to access sustainable, safe water supplies and sanitation facilities. WaterPartners developed innovative financing solutions, including the WaterCredit Initiative, which utilized small loans to individuals and communities to meet their water supply and sanitation needs.

History

WaterPartners International was established with the goal of addressing the critical need for clean water and sanitation in the developing world. Recognizing that billions of people lacked access to safe water and basic sanitation, the organization sought to create and implement scalable and sustainable solutions. Through its history, WaterPartners was known for its focus on partnership-driven approaches, working closely with local NGOs, community leaders, and governments to achieve its objectives.

WaterCredit Initiative

One of the hallmark programs developed by WaterPartners was the WaterCredit Initiative. This program was innovative in that it applied microfinance principles to the water and sanitation sector. By providing small loans to individuals and communities, WaterCredit enabled the poor to install water connections and sanitation facilities in their homes and communities. This approach not only facilitated access to clean water and improved hygiene but also empowered communities by giving them a stake in the solutions.

Merger and Formation of Water.org

In 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, a charity founded by Matt Damon, to form Water.org. The merger combined H2O Africa's focus on raising awareness and funding for water projects in Africa with WaterPartners' expertise in project implementation and innovative financing models. Water.org has since continued and expanded on the work started by WaterPartners, leveraging the global spotlight and resources brought by Matt Damon's involvement to increase its impact.

Impact and Legacy

The legacy of WaterPartners International is evident in the ongoing work of Water.org. The organization's early recognition of the importance of sustainable, community-led solutions and innovative financing mechanisms has influenced the broader water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. WaterPartners' initiatives demonstrated that access to clean water and sanitation could be accelerated through partnerships and financial innovation, principles that continue to guide Water.org today.

See Also

• Water supply and sanitation in developing countries
• Microfinance
• Sustainable development
• Non-governmental organization