World Water Day, 22nd March, s about water and climate change – and how the two are inextricably linked.
Water is life – this is not just a saying, but the absolute truth. Without enough clean water, societies cannot thrive and problems arise. Still, one out of nine people worldwide does not has access to safe water. One out of three people does not have access to a toilet. Still managed water supplies and sanitation facilities are limited in many parts of the world. The scarcity of water, natural disasters like flooding, and lack of proper wastewater management are obstructions to social and economic development. Improving water distribution and management are important aspects that many NGOs are working towards.
On the occasion of World Water Day, we have put together six tips to write a proposal for the water sector.
Especially when writing a proposal in the water sector, you have to think holistically about the problem. Water has an influence on all aspects of the life of the people and these interconnections have to be recognized in your proposal. Access to clean drinking water does not only influence the health of people. Children will go to school more frequently, women will be able to generate more income and many other aspects of life will be touched when water quality is good. Show your donor that you clearly understand all these interconnections and cross-cutting themes and that your project will have a maximum impact.
In the water sector, a lot of research takes place and new solutions are discovered every day. Make sure that you are on top of things and know the newest developments. You do not want to propose the use of an outdated irrigation system or of water filters that have been improved with a new model last year.
Many times when NGOs want to work in the water sector, the focus is on the problem of access to clean drinking water or sanitation. Make sure though you understand the entire circle. What will happen with the wastewater? How will black water be treated and where will it go? If you want to dig a new well or use water from a source – will it be enough? Will there be any unexpected outcomes if the water will be used in a different spot? Make sure that you have good answers to all of these questions do not make a problem worse instead of solving it.
Connect your project to the SDGsThe availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all is the Sustainable Development Goal number 6. Make sure that you connect to the appropriate target that relates to your project in your proposal.
Water management is not always easy – many stakeholders have an interest in the resource, and these interests are not always the same. Farmers need water for a different purpose than industry, families, or energy producers. Make sure that you include all stakeholders and also the local government in your project planning and explain this in your proposal.
To consider issues of sustainability is of core importance in a water-related project. We only have limited water resources to dispose of, and taking good care of these resources is of core importance for humanity. Make sure that you have a good sustainability plan in your proposal and do not only think of short-term benefits.
Eva is based in Germany and has worked for nearly a decade with NGOs on the grassroots level in Nepal in the field of capacity development and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. Before that, she worked in South America and Europe with different organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in geography and her field of research was sustainability and inclusion in development projects.
Thank u soo soo much eva for ur kind info on water and its sustainability 😊
This is soo healpful for me to understand the writing pattern but i am looking a proposal writing for an organization on issues regarding sanitation or let me say it as about menstruation and the taboos that is going on still in our society(Nepal)😔
Hoping for getting help on this too 😌
Hello Pooja,
I am glad you found this article helpful. In the future we will have more articles about different topics, so make sure to follow our page and subscribe to our newsletter to not miss anything. Female hygiene is a very important topic particularly in Nepal and I am very glad that you are working in this area.
We urgently need to preserve water this year particularly in my country Zambia the water levels have already shown alarming levels
hello Eva, do you mind to share with us your email so we can send you our questions and discuss about different topics? Thank you for this helpful and very useful article
Dear hoda: You can send you queries to info@proposalsforngos.com and we will forward it to Eva Wieners. Thank you!
We glad that the us has realised that this year there will be serious water shortage hence we should preserve this essential commodity
That desigion will be helpfull for everyone
Thank you for this information message from HDVC (“Help for self-help to Disabled Vulnerable Children”). RWANDA
This articles is so helpful for me to write a project proposal .Thank you so much for such a wonderful articles.
Dear Shamim: We are glad that the article is helpful to you.
Eva thank you for your valuable insights regarding water projects
Climate change is real have a well on the farm that in the last 20 years never dried up but last year it did. this was fiurther compounded by drought . locust infestationsn then COVID 19 pandemic . willl certainly look out to write a water related proposal
Hello Kihara:
Glad you found the article helpful. Best wishes!
very helpful
Dear Sano: Glad you found the article helpful. Best wishes!
Help me to come up with the problem statement
Unfortunately, we are not able to write a problem statement for you. However, we do have an article on it here. Hope it’s helpful!
Subscribe to our newsletter and check back regularly for more free resources!
Interesting Document ,please send me the rural water supply design and construction with operation an
Dear Makonnen: Thank you. We have a selection of sample proposals here: proposalsforngos.com/sample/
Thank you so.much ..I really need to know how towrite proposals
I’m Amui and found out I’m interested in water proposal and this platform be guiding for good delivery