This PR article was originally uploaded to GWP Southern Africa
The top 30 finalists represent a diverse range of water-related initiatives ranging from clean water access, improving quality and efficiency and conservation efforts to cutting-edge technologies. These projects embody the spirit of innovation and dedication necessary to address the global water crisis.
"We are thrilled to announce the top 30 finalists of the Water Changemaker Innovation Awards 2023. Their exceptional dedication and innovative solutions are paving the way for a more sustainable and water-secure future," said Jaehyang So, Chair of the GWP Technical Committee and Jury of the Water Changemaker Awards.
Jaehyang So, Chair of the GWP Technical Committee & Jury of the Water Changemaker Awards
"These finalists have demonstrated their commitment to making a meaningful impact to combat climate change, and we look forward to celebrating the three winners who will be announced during COP28 in Dubai in December. The Water Changemaker Awards is a global initiative that aims to recognize high-level commitment and leadership for climate-resilient water investments and showcase the most promising climate-resilient innovations with the greatest potential for scale, replication, and further investment to support a water-secure world. The competition is therefore recognizing and celebrating groundbreaking solutions that drive positive change in water,” she added.
The Water Changemaker Innovation Awards 2023 received a record number of submissions from individuals, organizations, and enterprises dedicated to advancing water sustainability. The judging panel had the arduous task of selecting the top 30 finalists from over 300 applications based on their potential for long-lasting impact, innovation, and scalability.
A 14-year-old applicant, Sawyer Anderson from North Dakota, USA received the Water Changemaker Awards Chairperson’s special recognition for innovation, diversity, and inclusion. Sawyer raises money through sales of her book, Water Works, and handmade African chitenge bags. She uses the proceeds to provide clean water in Zambia. 100% of Water Works profits are matched by Wellspring for the World and then triple-matched by World Vision. To date, she has raised $1.2 million and built 84 clean water wells.
The finalists will proceed to the next round of evaluations, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their initiatives in more detail and compete for a coveted spot among three winners. The top 30 finalists will attend a boot camp in November before winners are announced during COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in December.
The Water Changemaker Innovation Awards 2023 was officially launched during the official kick-off of the largest gathering on water in Asia, the International Asian Water Week in South Korea on 6 July 2023 where the keynote address was delivered by Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations who said climate change was most visible in water and urged urgent action in the implementation of over 700 UN Water Conference 2023 commitments, aimed at driving transformation towards a climate-resilient water-secure world.
To explore more about these inspiring finalists and their projects, visit the official Water Changemaker Awards website: waterchangemakers.org.
Water Changemakers 2023 is a global challenge to recognize high-level commitment and leadership for climate-resilient water investments and showcase the most promising climate-resilient innovations with the greatest potential for scale, replication, and further investment to support a water-secure world. The Water Changemaker Awards include:
- Presidential Global Water Changemaker Award - for demonstrated leadership and commitment
- Innovation Water Changemaker Award- for the most promising climate innovations
- Youth Water Changemaker Award -for demonstrating commitment to social change.
Recipients of the Presidential Global Changemaker Awards are identified by the Changemakers jury and awarded at a global UN event.
Recipients of the Innovation Water Changemaker Award are identified through a global competition while recipients of the Youth Changemaker Awards are identified through independently managed competitions at the regional level by GWP regions, as well as WMO and Water Youth Network at the global level for integrated drought and flood management.
The core partners running the Water Changemaker Awards 2023 include:
- Global Water Partnership
- Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water)
- The World Bank Group
- Continental Africa Water Investment Programme