An estimated 785 million people worldwide lack access to clean water.
It is a problem too big for any single agency or government to take on.
That’s why Rotary and USAID are combining strengths to help people access water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in a sustainable way. Our partnership pairs the technical expertise of USAID development professionals with Rotary’s members, who are local leaders in communities around the globe.
Together, civil society and the public sector can make a difference in water, sanitation and hygiene.
Although Rotary and USAID are two very different organizations, we share the commitment to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Here’s how we approach the work in the partnership.
OUR
APPROACH
Together, civil society and the public sector can make a difference in water, sanitation and hygiene.
Although Rotary and USAID are two very different organizations, we share the commitment to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Here’s how we approach the work in the partnership.
Local
Ownership
We strive to implement solutions adapted to local needs and to build the capacity of governments and communities to take the lead in their own development. From the start, locals drive the planning and design of interventions. We invest our resources in capacity-building, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy to ensure long-term success.
Civil Society
Engagement
Rotary and USAID are strong partners, but we know we cannot do it all by ourselves. In addition to engaging with governments, we work with nongovernmental and community organizations, to advocate for systemic change and find solutions.
Technical
Expertise
USAID brings professional technical expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene and a rigorous approach to development. Rotary members are business and community leaders who apply a variety of skills and experience during implementation, such as monitoring and building the capacities of communities to adopt the most sustainable WASH practices.
Local Networks
of Influence
Rotary and USAID are strong partners, but we know we cannot do it all by ourselves. In addition to engaging with governments, we work with nongovernmental and community organizations, to advocate for systemic change and find solutions.
OUR IMPACT
TO DATE
Our partnership combines volunteer, grass-roots energy with technical development expertise for large-scale solutions. We began in 2007, and since then have partnered in Ghana, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and our work in Uganda is just getting started.
$18 Million
Funds committed by Rotary and USAID for the partnership through 2025
10,790
Value of Rotary volunteer hours contributed in Ghana 2016-20
457,480
Estimated number of beneficiaries of partnership globally
What We
Do
Enhance programs for impact and sustainability
Read more Enhance programs for impact and sustainabilityWe aim to bolster the capacity of governments, the private sector, and civil society to implement programs with large-scale impact and sustainable outcomes.
Through advocacy, we link communities to government service providers. We enhance the capacity of both to hold each other accountable. We also help mobilize civil society and the private sector to support policy change in water and sanitation services.
Foster improved water, sanitation and hygiene behaviors
Read more Foster improved water, sanitation and hygiene behaviorsWe mobilize resources to support local hygiene promoters who drive people to adopt healthy habits.
We are leveraging the technical expertise of USAID and local governments in hygiene behavior change and community-led total sanitation with the field monitoring of Rotary members.
Before, during, and after we install new water and sanitation systems, we work with the community to promote healthy practices. Our local hygiene promoters empower community members with knowledge based on evidence about how to reduce disease and discuss the risks of common practices such as open defecation.
Strengthen WASH management systems
Read more Strengthen WASH management systemsWe collaborate closely with communities to strengthen sustainable management of WASH systems and services.
Fostering community engagement and participation is essential to sustainability and local ownership. The grassroots energy of Rotary members strengthens local communities’ stewardship and management of their WASH systems.
Collaborate and apply learnings
Read more Collaborate and apply learningsRyan Mahoney,
WASH Advisor USAID
USAID acknowledges that we have limited influence over certain local factors in some cases, so by partnering with Rotary, we really seek to leverage their grassroots networks, their mobilization capacity, and generally the energy they bring to advocating for sustainable water and sanitation services.
Fundamentally, we know that aid agencies alone cannot solve the WASH crisis. So, ultimately, USAID is supporting countries in their journeys to self-reliance. So as part of the Rotary-USAID partnership, we look at the Rotarian as a local resource in the country, to build the country’s capacity and to take leadership in its own development
Through partnering, our collaboration brings more than the sum of its parts.
Rotary and USAID are working together to build the capacity of governments and communities to take ownership of their development. Our approach combines grassroots energy and local volunteers with global resources, expertise, and professional experience in water and sanitation.
One of world’s largest service organizations, Rotary is made up of 1.2 million leaders and volunteers who belong to 35,000 clubs that take action to help their communities.
Drawing on their business skills, grassroots energy, and networks, Rotary mobilizes its members’ time and resources to build the capacity of beneficiaries to take leadership in sustaining and advocating for positive change in water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
Rotary members are influential leaders in their communities, with business skills, relationships, and knowledge to be highly influential and effective as local agents of change.
World’s largest governmental development agency, USAID provides humanitarian assistance and works for global health and stability in more than 100 countries.
USAID directs the strategic implementation of programs based on best practices and experience in the field.
USAID brings the professional edge of a development agency, technical expertise, access to data and government officials, and a rigorous approach to development.
REGIONS
OF OUR IMPACT
Since 2009, Rotary and USAID have partnered in four countries. The partnership will expand to a fifth country to be determined.