Global Water Challenge and Ashoka's Changemakers Announce Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON (May 28, 2008)— Global Water Challenge (GWC) and Ashoka's Changemakers have announced the winners of a competition to find groundbreaking solutions to the world's water and sanitation challenges. The global competition, “Tapping Local Innovation: Unclogging the Water and Sanitation Crisis,” was launched in January 2008 and generated 265 entries from more than 50 countries. Each of the three winners will receive a $5,000 award. The winners, all three from India, are Himanshu Parikh Consulting Engineers for its “Slum Networking: Transcending Poverty with An Innovative Water and Sanitation Paradigm”, a program that uses natural drainage paths in urban areas to improve the transport of water and sewage to and from low-income households; Naandi Foundation for its “Community-Based Safe Drinking Water Systems”, user fee-based relationships between service providers and local governments that expands access to safe drinking water; and Swayam Shikshan Prayog, for its “Small Steps, Big Leaps,” a community-led approach to water and sanitation that mobilizes women in rural communities to create demand for better water and sanitation systems. The GWC is reviewing all entries submitted in the online competition. A select number of entrants will be invited to submit proposals for funding consideration for the US$1 million in additional grants made possible by the Coca-Cola Company. “It's always amazing to see so many entrepreneurs from all over the world rise to the challenge of creating innovative solutions to the social problems that need them most,” says Charlie Brown, executive director of Changemakers. “And our online community also rises to the challenge by questioning, discussing and drawing out the most effective ideas.” About Global Water Challenge About Ashoka’s Changemakers CONTACT: Delyse Sylvester |