The Water Innovation Engine
When it comes to ensuring the health and wellbeing of individuals in the developing world and the communities in which they live, access to reliable and clean water is vital.
In an effort to draw attention and energy to the widespread water and sanitation challenges facing millions of people across the developing world, in 2016 the UN Secretary General and the President of the World Bank Group convened the United Nations High-Level Panel on Water, which called for the creation of a ‘Water Innovation Engine’ to encourage coordination and investment in water sector innovation, and “to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
The Engine brings together entrepreneurs, new ideas, and flexible financing to accelerate innovation in the water sector, and will find, test, and scale the most promising innovations and improve the lives of millions of the world’s poorest people. Investments will be made by the Global Innovation Fund and Grand Challenges Canada with the backing of the Australian Government and Global Affairs Canada.
We will support evidence-based innovation to tackle pressing challenges in the water sector for households, cities, and watersheds. GIF is excited to also serve as the secretariat for the Engine.
Initially, the Engine is running two funding challenges – improved data for decision-making in the water sector, and sustainable, equitable urban sanitation – and is now welcoming applications for funding!
Water Data Challenge
The Engine’s ‘Water Data Challenge’ will be led by GIF.
Current estimates show that the world may face a 40% shortfall in water availability by 2030. Water flows are becoming increasingly variable, and water quality increasingly threatened. When supplies are scarce or quality poor, it is often the poorest who suffer — managing water resources is, therefore, critical for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
We want to hear from innovators who are seeking breakthroughs that cost-effectively improve smallholder farmers’ productivity, income, or resilience; or that help to optimise water use at the system, watershed, or basin level so as to enhance resilience or promote inclusive growth. The breakthroughs could involve new ways to generate, assemble, and use data; new institutional mechanisms or business models for using and disseminating data; and new ways to build capacity – for individuals, firms, social enterprises or governments.
To learn more, check out the Water Data Challenge website.
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