Some examples of GWI’s projects include training micro-watershed committees on risk management issues; constructing and improving the water and sanitation infrastructure in community schools; rehabilitating water harvesting ponds; raising awareness of the opportunities for multiple water use; and offering leadership training to women.

The coalition of seven international organizations is a unique partnership which combines capacities to support services in water supply, sanitation, agriculture and environmental management. What makes the GWI distinctive from other development efforts is that all organizations have been involved from the outset of the initiative in collectively building the common vision and sharing the responsibility and accountability for implementing the GWI. The GWI provides strategic environmental and water resource analysis in addition to policy development and raising awareness.

A specific highlight of the GWI is the opportunity to address transboundary issues and regional watersheds in a broad approach. Combining these strengths provides a unique opportunity to support transformation of water management in selected countries in close cooperation with other local partners and agencies. The GWI demonstrates practical approaches to achieving integrated water resource management, supporting responsible water policy, addressing water conflict resolution and reducing water related risks. HGBF supports the GWI each year with $15 million of funding; the Foundation has made a conditional commitment for a minimum of 10 years.

The initiative is designed to recognize and meet the needs of both domestic and productive water uses, while combining integrated watershed management with environmental accountability. GWI’s objective is to utilize and leverage the experience and knowledge of our partners to create a flexible and spontaneous approach to providing poor communities access to safe drinking water. By building new constituencies, creating stronger alliances and engaging all stakeholders, the Foundation hopes to create a new vision and an effective platform for change.

The Global Water Initiative works in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

The GWI works in 13 countries in Central America, East Africa and West Africa to address the challenges of providing long-term access to clean water and sanitation, access to water for rural production, as well as the protection and sustainable management of ecosystem services and watersheds. The partner organizations focus on the needs of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities including refugees and internally displaced persons.

The projects are designed to deliver water and sanitation in rural communities. In addition, investments are made to strengthen institutions, build capacity to enable organizations to initiate and sustain long term projects, increase community participation, improve local governance, facilitate inter-governmental coordination and cooperation, raise awareness, emphasize innovation and support the development of responsible water policies. Local and national level projects will help catalyze change toward better integrated management of water resources.