The 35th AGUASAN workshop dedicated this year to the interlinkages between Human Rights to Water and Sanitation and Market Based Approaches was opened by the Steering Committee members who welcomed the 49 water and development practitioners.
The introduction round of participants showed the rich and diverse experience of participants and how they complement each other, bringing technical, technological, legal and institutional expertise at both micro, meso and macro levels.
Raphael Graser from Antenna Technologies shared the successful and inspiring business model of SPRINGHEALTH in India, a social enterprise, which delivers 120,000 l of safe water per day, through local entrepreneurs who deliver jerry cans at home.
Tatjana von Steiger, the Deputy Assistant Director General of the Global Cooperation Department at SDC highlighted the approaches applied by SDC for advancing the HRTWS and strengthened that "Systemic changes are needed, that is why we need partnerships to establish stable frameworks. Peace and access to water are both preconditions to attract impact investors. The SDG concept is there but we need pilots to fill it, that is why this workshop is relevant".
Amanda Loeffen from WaterLex focused on the two main questions: What is the Human Right to Water and Sanitation and what role do entrepreneurs play?
Valentin Post gave practical insight about WASTE, Approaches of the Dutch Development Cooperation for scaling inclusive business and showed the interlinkages between government, business, finance and communities.
The workshop also gave the voice to six innovative, promising, inspiring, courageous young entrepreneurs pitch their case.
The first day ended with the presentation of the WaterLex checklist on HRTWS for small scale water providers and the checklist for small scale sanitation.
Get all presentations here.
