Posted on Dec 14, 2018
Young Water Solutions is an international non-profit organization aiming to develop and support the potential of young people to contribute to universal water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and water resources management.
 
They achieve this by empowering young leaders and providing them with the tools to carry out water projects in their communities. They promote an integrated approach, that often addresses interlinked challenges such as climate change adaptation, reforestation, youth unemployment and food security.
 
 

Youth Entrepreneurship in Water addresses UN Sustainable Development Goal #6

Youth unemployment and lack of access to water and sanitation are two of the world’s most pressing challenges. Although young people are progressively being considered part of the solution to water issues, in most countries they struggle with access to the support they need to set up social businesses, in terms of funding and training.

Young Water Solutions is an NGO based in Brussels that has as a mission to empower young people to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal #6, by offering them support to implement water and sanitation projects and become water entrepreneurs. Their flagship program (launched in 2017) is the Young Water Fellowship, that supports young people (18-30 years old) from low and middle-income countries with the training, mentorship and seed funding that they need to implement their social business initiatives to solve water, sanitation or other water management issues in their communities.
 
After applying to a call for applications, the selected candidates (‘’Young Water Fellows’’) are invited to a start-up training program, where they learn about WASH and business and sharpen their business models, after which they have the opportunity to request up to €5000 of seed funding to pilot their initiatives. Young Water Solutions assigns them mentors that match their needs and provides them with permanent coaching.
 
Since launching it in 2017, Young Water Solutions has implemented two global editions, and the total of 19 Fellows are benefiting with their initiatives about 15,000 people. In 2019, the first Regional edition of the Young Water Fellowship Program will be organized in Uganda, targeting East African youth.
 
How to be involved? 
By applying to become a Fellow: Rotaract and Interact members from low and middle-income countries interested to set up a water-related social business are invited to apply to the next global call for applications in February/March 2019. Find more information at www.youngwatersolutions.org
 
By organizing fundraising activities to support Fellows: Young Water Solutions is constantly raising funds to support their Fellows with the seed funding that they need to implement their pilot projects. Clubs can organize fundraising events for Fellows in general or for one in particular.
 
By becoming a funding partner for the 2019 Global and/or Regional editions: Young Water Solutions is searching for local clubs or district to partner with for a Global Grant. Any club interested is welcome to contact YWS’ director, Antonella Vagliente, at antonella@youngwatersolutions.org. Ugandan clubs are especially encouraged to get in touch.