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 regard, 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. Together with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), we combined 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 our director, Mariano Montero.
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.
