Partners
Implementing partners and Catalyst partners, these are partners who are either sponsoring the work or partners who Earth and Water are working with to implement solutions in their own countries.
OUR PARTNERS
Powered by Partnership
Together, we turn practical ideas into reliable, financially viable solutions.
Earth & Water works through two partner groups:
- Implementing Partners – The social enterprises, SMEs, and non-profits delivering solutions on the ground in their own countries.
- Catalyst Partners – Individuals, foundations, companies, and institutions who believe in sustainability and long-term impact and provide the funding that makes this work possible.
Local Doers
Implementing Partners
Local doers delivering lasting WASH, agriculture, and Environmentally Sound solutions
Implementing partners are the backbone of impact. They plan, operate, and improve solutions where people live and work. Earth & Water supports them with catalytic funding, program design help, and a network that reduces costs and expands opportunities—while keeping accountability strong.
How we work with Implementing Partners
Catalytic support: Seed funding and programmatic support to launch or strengthen financially viable projects.
Lightweight tools: Simple templates for budgeting, record-keeping, and monitoring that fits.
Network linkage: Connections to product suppliers, programs, and peer organizations doing similar work.
Continuous learning: Short, practical check-ins focused on reliability, affordability, adoption, and outcomes.
Vetting & Due Diligence (before any support)
Every partner and project is reviewed by Earth & Water. Vetting covers financial, operational, and legal areas, including sanctions checks (e.g., OFAC). Each grant request is assessed, and outcomes and expenses are reviewed against funding provided.
What we look for (core requirements):
Mission fit: Commitment to sustainability, financial viability, and local stewardship.
Legal compliance: Current registrations, governance documents, and sanctions screening (OFAC, KYC).
Financial controls: Bank accounts in org name, basic accounting, transparent cost structures.
Operational capacity: Named project lead, documented O&M approach, clear supply chain for parts/products.
Safeguarding & EHS: Policies and practices for child protection, anti-harassment, health & safety, environmental care.
Unit economics & affordability: Realistic local revenue plan (fees/contracts), protection for the most vulnerable, and a path to cost recovery for routine O&M.
Evidence & learning: Simple plan to measure reliability/uptime, affordability, adoption, and outcome signals; willingness to adapt.
Project fit (what we assess):
Context-fit design (not one-size-fits-all)
Local parts, local serviceability, and realistic timelines
Demand and willingness/ability to pay at fair levels
Path to scale through replication or incremental growth
Regulatory and environmental compliance
The Implementing Partner Platform (onboarding)
Approved implementing partners are onboarded to our platform, gaining:
Peer network & knowledge sharing with others doing similar work
Visibility to Catalyst Partners and curated funding opportunities
Shared resources (vendor referrals, templates, coaching)
Portfolio efficiency—collective leverage and affordable fees for services
durable solutions
Catalyst Partners
Fund sustainability, not repeat emergencies
Catalyst Partners provide the funding that lets durable solutions start, improve, and scale. If you believe long-term impact comes from financially viable, locally run solutions, you’re in the right place.
Ways to engage
- Back what exists: Support proven programs already operating within the Earth & Water landscape.
- Bring a new concept: Propose a priority you care about—with a local partner in mind or ask us to source one. We’ll identify strong implementers and structure the initiative for viability.
- Co-fund a portfolio: Focus support on a geography or theme to accelerate impact.
Due diligence you can trust
In all cases, Earth & Water conducts partner and project vetting. No funds move until requirements are met and a practical monitoring plan is in place.
Implementing partner & project requirements (summary):
Alignment with sustainability and financial viability
Legal/regulatory compliance and sanctions screening (OFAC, KYC)
Basic financial systems and transparent cost structures
Named operator with clear O&M approach and local supply for parts/products
Safeguarding, environmental, and health & safety measures
Context-fit design with local parts/serviceability
Unit economics showing routine O&M covered locally at fair prices
Simple outcome tracking and a readiness to adapt
PARTNERSHIP PLEDGE
What Partners Can Expect
For Implementing Partners
Affordable support: Access to funding opportunities, shared tools, and peer learning that reduce the overhead of going it alone.
Visibility: Your projects are discoverable by Catalyst Partners aligned to your approach.
Accountability that fits reality: Short, useful reporting focused on what keeps solutions working.
For Catalyst Partners
Clarity: Plain-language briefs and concise updates centered on reliability, affordability, adoption, and outcomes.
Flexibility: Fund existing programs or new concepts; we help find the right implementer and structure for viability.
Leverage: Portfolio approaches compound impact.
Why we call them “partners”
Sustainable impact depends on local operators and committed funders working in sync. Implementing Partners deliver. Catalyst Partners enable. Earth & Water connects and safeguards—so solutions remain reliable, affordable, and locally owned.