BID and FEMSA Award Innovation in Water and Sanitation - FEMSA
Press Release

BID and FEMSA Award Innovation in Water and Sanitation

Buenos Aires, Argentina – In the framework of ‘Device Solutions’ to make lives better, an event held this week in the Argentine capital, organizations that work on quality, coverage and culture of water, sanitation and solid waste in Latin America and the Caribbean were awarded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and FEMSA Foundation for contributing with innovative solutions to the sector’s challenges.

The eight edition of the BID-FEMSA Water and Sanitation Prize for Latin America and the Caribbean was held during the Entrepreneurial Night on November 16th, where representatives of the six finalist organizations presented their projects to a panel of experts. On this occasion, the winners stood out for having identified a specific problem in water, sanitation and solid waste management and achieving measurable progress in quality and access to these services.

Sin Zika received First Place for developing an app through which citizens can report on the Aedes Aegypti mosquitos – which are zika, dengue and chikungunya fever transmitters -, report symptoms and receive information about the health centers they can go to.

Smart Wells received Second Place for its platform, which uses sensors to monitor and detect early faults in water extraction wells.

Finally, Cplantae received Third Place for its ingenious eco sustainable technology project: a sanitation system that uses plants, earthworms and microorganisms to clean sewage.

The Water Prize winning projects will receive a monetary award, as well as scholarships for training courses by the Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean and the “Silver Drop” prize, produced by plastic artist Gerardo Azcúnaga.


About BID

The Inter-American Development Banks mission is to improve lives. Founded in 1959, IDB is one of the main sources of long-term financing for the economic, social and institutional development of Latin America and the Caribbean. IBD also conducts research projects and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private clients throughout the region.


About FEMSA Foundation

We seek to generate a positive impact on people and communities through social investment projects for sustainability. FEMSA Foundation works in two strategic areas of action: conservation and sustainable use of water and in making children’s lives better through early childhood development programs.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FundacionFEMSA and on Twitter: www.twitter.com/FundacionFEMSA, or visit our website at www.fundacionfemsa.org

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