The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has opened a call to identify the best practices and experiences in drinking water provision, sanitary network improvements, and sustainable solid-waste treatment in Latin America, the Caribbean and North America.
In its role as coordinator of the World Water Forum’s Process of Regional Dialogue for the Americas to be held in 2018 in Brazil, the IDB is organizing a contest to act as an incentive for fresh ideas to tackle a problem affecting millions of people in the hemisphere.
The call, which is already open and will be closing Aug. 28, is a unique chance for researchers in the field – The Forum is held every three years and, given that this time around it will take place in a Latin American country, the eyes of the world will turn to what the region can offer to improve peoples’ lives in terms of innovative water, sanitation, and integrated solid waste management projects.
Organizers will seek to identify case studies and good practices on issues that are relevant to one or more countries in the region and that are potentially scalable to other nations or sub-regions in the Americas. Proposals must cover at least one of nine focal points:
- Water security and climate change
- Water, sanitation and health
- Water for sustainable development
- Integrated management of urban water and waste
- Water quality, ecosystems and diversity
- Financing for water security
- Sustainability through stakeholders’ participation (public sector, private sector, civil society)
- Education, capacity building and technological exchange
- Water governance for the 2030 development agenda
Those wishing to participate should send a brief file outlining the practice or experience that you want to present, clearly expressing the idea and its results and providing backup documents.
Interested organizations or individuals can find more information and submit your participation forms on the prize’s official website: http://convocatorias.iadb.org/world-water-forum/es-home-wwf
The jury will select the 20 most innovative projects, each of which will receive a $1,000 prize. Winners will get one extra month to complete the information on your proposals and send those details in a document. Those proposals contributing the most to the sector will be invited to be presented at the World Water Forum regional sessions to be held March 18-23, 2018 in Brasilia.
The IDB is launching this call jointly with the Caribbean Development Bank, UNESCO’S Hydrological Program, Global Water Partnerships, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, and the National Association of Water and Sanitation Companies of Mexico, A.C.
More information on the Forum is available on the Eight Forum website: http://www.worldwaterforum8.org/.
About the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.
About the Global Water Partnership (GWP). The GWPis an international network created in 1996 to foster an integrated approach to water resources management (IWRM). Its vision is for a water secure world and its mission is to promote water resources governance and management for sustainable and equitable growth. The Network is open to all organizations embracing the Network-promoted integrated approach to water resources management. This includes governments, government institutions (national, regional, and local), inter-governmental organizations, international and national non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions, private sector companies and public-sector services providers.
UNESCO’s International Hydrological Program (IHP) is the only intergovernmental program of the United Nations system devoted to water sciences, hydrological research, water resources management, education and capacity building. Its actions contribute to attain Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6: Goal 6: Ensure access to water as well as its sustainable management and sanitation for all.
National Association of Water and Sanitation Companies of Mexico, A.C. (ANEAS) is a non-profit civil association with 35-plus years’ experience that brings together Water Operator Institutions in the country. Its core purpose is to help increase service provision efficiency and raise the level of the human capital’s professionalism and autonomy. Through advisories, services for capacity building and certification, technical support to improve water systems’ operation and maintenance, representation before authorities and other entities, and liaison with national and international organizations, the association and its members share extensive experience and knowledge for the fulfilment of both individual and common goals.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency of the Inter-American System for agriculture that supports the efforts of the Member States to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being. Its mission is to encourage, promote and support Member States in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through international technical cooperation of excellence. Its vision is to create a competitive, inclusive and sustainable inter-American agriculture that feeds the hemisphere and the world, while at the same time generating opportunities to reduce hunger and poverty among farmers and rural dwellers. IICA is characterized by being: Innovative, Purposeful, Respectful, Inclusive, Transparent, Committed to accountability, and Environmentally responsible.