Mexico City, September 24, 2019.- The Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) initiative announced the State-of-the-Art Partnership Awards 2019 results chosen after a global competition to recognize the most innovative and successful public-private partnerships that are driving green growth and climate action, with measurable success and focused on one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Latin American Water Funds Partnership received the award in the “Clean Water and Sanitation “category.
Having qualified as the best in its category, the Latin American Water Funds Partnership (LAWFP) was recognized for its contribution implementing the Water Funds model in 24 cities in Latin America and another 15 in the process of development through the scheme of multisectoral associations that propose local solutions to the water challenges that each city faces. In this sense, the LAWFP has developed a regional perspective of the problem to be solved but promotes solutions that are analyzed and implemented at the local level.
During a ceremony on September 23 in New York, within the framework of the UN Climate Action Summit, P4G presented 5 awards in relation to the following objectives: SDG 2, Food and Agriculture; SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 7, Clean Energy; SDG 11, Sustainable Cities; and SDG 12, Responsible Production and Consumption.
P4G Global Director, Ian de Cruz commented, “These partnerships are pioneers in showing the world that public-private collaboration is at the heart of accelerating the most innovative models for change for a more sustainable and inclusive future. This powerful recognition of their proven impact reflects P4G’s commitment to learn from the best public-private partnerships delivering tangible results. We look forward to working with these partnerships and connecting them to P4G’s transformative network of business, government and civil society leaders to build upon their impressive work.”
“Since we learnt about the initial work of the Quito Water Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, in addition to supporting this Fund, has been interested in working together with our other partners of the LAWFP to test, mature and scale the Water Funds model. Currently, we have expanded the type of solutions promoted by the Water Funds to include community resilience to extreme climatic phenomena and for the conservation of water sources. At IDB, we know that the solution to water challenges depends largely on joint work between different stakeholders, as well as intelligent combinations between grey infrastructure and nature-based solutions, which is part of the principles of the Water Funds” said Sergio Campos, Head of the Water and Sanitation Division, IDB.
Due to the need to systematize the experience and knowledge accumulated from the first Water Funds and create a replicable model, the Latin American Water Funds Partnership was formed. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), FEMSA Foundation, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) joint forces under the Latin American Water Funds Partnership in 2011, later joined by IKI. This collaboration of technical, scientific, financial resources and know-how has been essential in the development of the Water Funds model.
“The challenges we face in the 21st century require new resolution paradigms and a vehicle to achieve this is collective action. The Latin American Water Funds Partnership has innovated in the way of creating spaces so that sectors that traditionally did not participate (such as private) could get involved and add their strengths and resources. In less than ten years, it has become a benchmark whose governance model is being replicated in other geographies and even offers the possibility of being adapted to contribute to the efficient management of resources other than water,” commented Mariano Montero, Director of FEMSA Foundation.
Each of the partners has contributed not only financial resources but also intellectual and human resources that, over time, have strengthened and refined the Water Funds model and increase the amount of Water Funds created across Latin America from 8 to 24. In 2018, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) was welcomed as a new partner. By joining the German government, all sectors are represented within the LAWFP, demonstrating by example that collaboration is essential to solve the water challenges we face.
Aurelio Ramos, general director of The Nature Conservancy in Latin America, said: “We are demonstrating that when the private sector, civil society and government work with common objectives, with planning processes and transparency in decision making, it is possible to achieve results superior to those that would be achieved individually. The Latin American Water Funds Partnership has worked tirelessly to support the creation and refinement of the Water Funds model as a mechanism to help Latin American communities to have water in quality and quantity. We are honored and privileged to receive this award that drives us to continue betting on collaboration in multiple levels.
All winners represent the best in their class for each of the five SDGs eligible for P4G during 2019. High-level government and corporate assistants were present at the awards ceremony. Additionally, each winning association will be considered for inclusion in the P4G State of the Art report that will be launched at the P4G 2020 Global Summit.
The Latin American Water Funds Partnership has promoted the creation of 24 Water Funds, collective-action organizations that promote a shared and long-term vision on water security, in 8 countries and 15 additional Water Funds that are in the process of being created across the region. As of June 2019, Water Funds have managed to leverage more than USD 200 million from 570 public and private partners, achieving the conservation of 252,000 hectares critical for water security and biodiversity in the region through projects developed with 37,500 families.
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Latin American Water Funds Partnership (LAWFP): It is an agreement created in 2011 between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the FEMSA Foundation, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), International Climate Initiative (IKI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to contribute to water security in Latin America and the Caribbean through the creation and strengthening of Water Funds. The Partnership supports Water Funds through scientific knowledge to achieve and maintain water security through nature-based solutions; the systematization, management and dissemination of knowledge; capacity-building and technical support; the promotion of inclusive dialogue among relevant stakeholders in the region to boost collective action; active participation on water governance; and the leveraging of public and private resources. Visit www.waterfunds.org or follow us on Twitter (@Fondos_de_agua) and Facebook.com/Alianza Latinoamericana de Fondos de Agua
The Nature Conservancy (TNC): It is a global environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of lands and waters on which life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative and practical solutions to the most urgent challenges of our world so that nature and people can prosper together. We are addressing climate change, conserving land, water and oceans on an unprecedented scale, providing food and water in a sustainable way and helping to make cities more sustainable. We work in 72 countries, using a collaborative approach that involves local communities, governments, the private sector and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org/latinamerica or follow @TNCLatinamerica on Twitter, and @TNCLatinoamerica on Facebook and Instagram.
FEMSA Foundation: For the past 10 years, at FEMSA Foundation we have worked to make positive impacts in people and communities by advancing social investment projects for sustainability. We further conservation and sustainable use of water, strengthen early childhood development, and promote Latin American art and culture through the FEMSA Collection. For more information, visit our website www.femsafoundation.org or follow us on Facebook (FundacionFEMSA) and Twitter (@FundacionFEMSA).
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region. More information at www.iadb.org, blogs.iadb.org/agua/, @BIDagua and Facebook.com/BancoInteramericano
International Climate Initiative (IKI): This project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. Learn more about IKI on its website https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/ or on Twitter (@iki_bmu).
P4G: Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 – is currently funding and facilitating 24 public-private partnerships. These include projects to accelerate the adoption of electric buses in Latin America, expand the supply of renewable energy in Sub-Sahara Africa, reduce food loss and waste in Indonesia and reduce plastic and packaging waste from e-commerce in China. P4G is a collaborative partnership among nine partner countries: Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam. In addition, C40, World Economic Forum, Global Green Growth Institute, IFC and World Resources Institute, which hosts P4G’s global hub, are partner organizations to P4G.