CO2balance’s Post

TRUSTING LOCALLY LED ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER THE NEEDED RESULTS Locally led organizations are best positioned to deliver results and impact at scale! Faced with the challenge of funding and the threat of compromising our vision and mission in the face of 'donor funding dictates', and 'dangling' a carrot that might help us survive, we must stay on course. It is better to refuse funding that does not align with our mission than to accept convenient offers that could breed and sow the seeds of destruction for our mission. For five years, we have refused to bend just to fit into the donor funding scope for survival. Instead, we have stayed true to our mission even in difficult times. We understand that infrastructure is expensive, but we take it one day at a time - "equiping communities with solar-powered water infrastructure and systems for productive use, food security, house hold income and improved livelihoods." For us, that is a game-changers. Thank you to our partners Tevel and MashaV for the greenhouse, which will provide the community of Mphande in Zambia with seedlings for their keyhole gardens at each home, using less water. Below, Oden Hamachila is checking the seedlings and ensuring they are receiving the needed water! We are Africa Access Water! www.africaaccesswater.org #tevel #solarpoweredwaterforproductiveuse

Sub-Saharan Africans in rural areas deserve water piped into their homes. Today, organizations are innovating to provide clean, piped water to homes in rural Ghana at an affordable price. Although boreholes have improved #WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa, they are not sustainable. The burden on collecting water falls primarily on women and girls and prevents them from attending school and holding jobs. They also require that the community operate, maintain, and provide repairs. For #WorldWaterDay, Helmsley Trustee Walter Panzirer writes about the importance of a market-based approach to developing water infrastructure in rural Ghana and highlights two of our grantees – Water4 and Safe Water Network – working to make this happen. Read it here: https://bit.ly/49bM38B

Day 9: Community-Led Infrastructure Development 🏘️ **Community-Led Infrastructure Development** In some regions, communities are taking charge of their development by building essential infrastructure such as storage facilities and roads. These grassroots efforts often lead to more sustainable and context-specific solutions. For example, in Malawi, farmer groups have constructed warehouses to store their produce, significantly reducing post-harvest losses. Such initiatives demonstrate the power of community action in addressing local challenges and improving market access. Tomorrow, we’ll highlight a successful example from Kenya. #CommunityDevelopment #SustainableAgriculture @ActionAid @PracticalAction @GlobalCommunities

🇺🇬🛖 In rural #Uganda, estimates suggest that 40% of #handpumps, the primary source of drinking water for over half of the population, are non-functional at any point in time. To improve water access in #rural areas, Uganda’s National Framework for Operation and Maintenance of Rural Water Infrastructure (the “O&M Framework”) proposes a strategy relying on: ✅ Professional area service providers to maintain infrastructure ✅ Financial participation from water users. ⛲️🛖 In 2021-2023, Aquaya worked with Kabarole’s District Water Office to experiment with village savings and loans associations (VSLAs) as a platform to collect water user fees. The two-year pilot was promising: ten communities that used to have no reserve funds for handpump maintenance raised an average of $120 annually, which prompted the District Water Office to expand the approach to an additional 25 communities. 📢 To support the implementation of the “O&M framework” in Kabarole and neighboring districts of the Mid-Western region through the #VSLAs program, Aquaya has been awarded a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 📸: Patrick Meinhardt #NewStudy | #WaterFunds | Ministry of Water and Environment, Directorate of Water Resources Management, Uganda | #Community

How do Village Savings and Loan Associations impact rural water functionality? The Aquaya Institute and The Water Trust began a two-year project to rigorously evaluate the impact of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), also called Self-Help Groups, on rural water point functionality. “This study illustrates how practitioners and researchers can collaborate to learn what solutions work and what their limitations are so that governments can make evidence-informed policy decisions,” said Dr. Caroline Delaire, Director of Research and Programs at Aquaya. In rural Uganda, estimates suggest that 40% of handpumps, the primary source of drinking water for over half of the population, are non-functional at any point in time. One key challenge is that many rural communities in Uganda do not have robust mechanisms to set aside funds to pay for hand pump maintenance. VSLAs are a promising solution to improve community resilience to hand pump failure. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTFpw3vQ 📸: Patrick Meinhardt Conrad N. Hilton Foundation | The Water Trust | #VSLAs | #NewStudy | #WaterFunds | #Community

Lake Turkana's communities in Northern Kenya rely heavily on fishing due to climate-induced poverty, but inadequate cold chain infrastructure and preservation methods significantly reduce the value and market reach of their fish, contributing to severe food insecurity in the area. As we focus on poverty and frontline communities this week in our #PoweringInclusion campaign, read our report on how Adili Solar Hubs improved the income of local fishers, while also addressing challenges related to energy consumption, and transportation, ensuring sustainable and efficient fish distribution: https://lnkd.in/dYPwQbCF

The Larson Financial Foundation is proud to support the African Christian University Farm in Zambia. 🇿🇲 Our dedication to global philanthropy is blossoming into real, tangible change. Nestled in the heart of Zambia's capital, this farm isn't just about crops: it's about community empowerment and sustainable agriculture. With our help, three greenhouses have sprung up, and the first harvests of cucumbers, peppers, and cherry tomatoes are ripening beautifully. 🍅🥒 Our investment is projected to turn a profit by the end of 2024, laying a foundation for long-term success. Plus, we're already for the future by looking into shade netting and expanding agricultural capabilities with water tanks to double the arable land. LFF is committed to making a real impact: fostering sustainable agriculture and driving economic development. Together, we're cultivating a brighter, more abundant future for communities worldwide. 🌍 Join us in making a difference! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gFc7RErT #Larson #SustainableAgriculture #CommunityEmpowerment #GlobalImpact #Flourish

Rachel Chuuno and Alice Tembo, residents of Livingstone, Zambia, found themselves in a delicate situation that affected their daily lives and strained relations with their neighbours. Their pit latrine had reached full capacity, leaving them with no choice but to close it off, hoping for a solution to emerge. In a gesture of kindness, their neighbour allowed them to use their WASH facilities, but this temporary arrangement brought challenges.   The situation became more than an inconvenience; it posed risks to their safety and well-being, especially at night. As women, Rachel and Alice feared leaving their home to access the neighbouring toilet, concerned about potential attacks and endangering their lives.   However, hope arrived in the form of a transformative intervention from the Southern Water & Sewerage Company (SWASCO), part of the TRANSFORM project implemented by WSUP Zambia with support from Unilever, EY, and the UK Government. The newly introduced pit emptying service immediately solved their urgent problem and brought peace and stability to their community.   With the help of this service, Rachel and Alice could affordably and sustainably address their sanitation needs. The pit emptiers' clean and orderly work not only eliminated the foul odour but also restored a sense of security and dignity to their lives.   Through initiatives like the TRANSFORM project, WSUP is improving access to essential services and fostering peace and cooperation among neighbours. By ensuring equitable access to #water and sanitation, WSUP contributes to community stability and prosperity, aligning perfectly with the #WorldWaterDay 2024: Water for Peace theme.

Kenya, a country blessed with natural beauty and vibrant culture, faces a daunting challenge that threatens the well-being of its people and the sustainability of its communities: water scarcity. In a land where over 80% is classified as arid or semi-arid, access to clean water is not just The Harsh Reality of Water Scarcity: Water scarcity in Kenya is not a distant threat but a daily struggle for survival. According to Water.org, more than 41% of the population lacks access to safe water, forcing communities to rely on unreliable and often contaminated sources. The situation is exacerbated by the erratic cycles of floods and droughts, population growth, and the unequal distribution of water resources across the country. The Toll on Rural and Urban Communities: Rural areas and informal urban settlements bear the brunt of Kenya's water crisis. In these marginalized communities, inadequate infrastructure and neglect by public water service providers leave residents with few options. In Nairobi, Kenya's bustling capital, rapid urbanization has led to the proliferation of informal settlements where access to clean water is a luxury few can afford. The Struggle for Equitable Access: Water shortages disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society, including women, children, and the elderly. In informal settlements, impoverished residents are forced to pay exorbitant prices to private vendors for water that often fails to meet sanitation standards. Meanwhile, wealthier neighborhoods enjoy priority access to public water service providers, deepening the divide between rich and poor. Conclusion: In the face of Kenya's water crisis, we must heed the call to action and stand in solidarity with those most affected. By working together, raising awareness, and advocating for change, we can create a future where water scarcity is no longer a barrier to health, dignity, and opportunity for all Kenyans. Let us join hands and turn the tide on Kenya's water crisis, one drop at a time. Unlock Your Career's Potential with Our Site For Professional Connection at ZZfanZ##KenyaWaterCrisis #CleanWaterForAll #WaterScarcity #EquitableAccess #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment #RuralDevelopment #UrbanWaterChallenges #WaterJustice #GlobalSolidarity #WaterRights #EnvironmentalJustice #EndWaterPoverty

The Larson Financial Foundation is proud to support the African Christian University Farm in Zambia. 🇿🇲 Our dedication to global philanthropy is blossoming into real, tangible change. Nestled in the heart of Zambia's capital, this farm isn't just about crops: it's about community empowerment and sustainable agriculture. With our help, three greenhouses have sprung up, and the first harvests of cucumbers, peppers, and cherry tomatoes are ripening beautifully. 🍅🥒 Our investment is projected to turn a profit by the end of 2024, laying a foundation for long-term success. Plus, we're already for the future by looking into shade netting and expanding agricultural capabilities with water tanks to double the arable land. LFF is committed to making a real impact: fostering sustainable agriculture and driving economic development. Together, we're cultivating a brighter, more abundant future for communities worldwide. 🌍 Join us in making a difference! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gFc7RErT #Larson #SustainableAgriculture #CommunityEmpowerment #GlobalImpact #Flourish