Funding Opportunity: World Water Challenge 2020

Water scarcity is a huge problem that will only become more important in the years to come. The World Water Challenge is an international contest for solutions for problems in this sector. It was created as a special program of the Science and Technology Process in the 7^th World Water Forum in 2015. The Challenge wants to identify water problems in the real world and find corresponding solutions that are based on present science and technology.

World Water Challenge 2020 will be held as one of the signature programs of Korea International Water Week (KIWW) 2020. With the current global circumstance in which the world is suffering from COVID-19 pandemic, WWCH 2020 will be dealing with the special topic “Water and Health” along with 5 Main Topics to demonstrate a pathway to not only overcoming the current pandemic but also achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The 6^th edition of World Water Challenge is expected to serve its role as an important platform to share not only innovative scientific/technological method but also policy towards solving the defined water challenges around the world and to forge a broad network among the experts and stakeholders in the water sector as well as the diverse pool of solution providers.

The prize amount for the World Water Challenge 2020 is KRW 10,000,000 (approx. US$ 8400) and KRW 5,00,000 (approx. 4200). Winners will also have the chance to be invited to the WWCH showcase during the KIWW 2021 and/or the 9th World Water Forum to share their solutions with the experts from all around the world.

In this article, we give you some tips on how to apply and what to look out for.

What is the Process to Apply for the World Water Challenge?

In the first phase, the World Water Challenge 2020 is seeking participation from anyone (as an individual or on behalf of an organization) who is interested in water and problem owners who can present water problems.

The topics that are chosen for the KIWW 2020 are:

• Water and health (Special Topic for WWCH 2020)
• Efficient Water Management(SDGs links: SDG 6.4 Water Use Efficiency)
• Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater Systems(SDGs links: 6.1 Safe Water, 6.2 Sanitation)
• Water and Natural Disasters(SDGs links:11.5 Reduction of Economic & Human Losses)
• Smart Water Technologies (SDGs links:6.5 IWRM)
• Ecosystem and Water (SDGs links:6.6 Water & Ecosystems)

All applications are to be submitted online through their official website here before 30 August. Solutions are to be presented in the above-mentioned challenges to the committee for review. All submissions must be filled out in English. Up to 10 outstanding solution providers will be invited to present their proposals and the best solutions will be awarded.

Check out the Finalist of World Water Challenge.

What are the Problems the World Water Challenge 2020 Seeks Solutions for?

12 water challenges including two ‘special challenges’ for this year are selected based on the discussion between the committee members reflecting their expertise and the current status of regional and global water issues as well as the urgency of each water sector

• Scale-up of WASH for Public Health
• Efficient method for wastewater surveillance to detect the spread of disease
• Integrated management of diversified water resources
• Innovating financing for local water solutions
• Energy Efficiency in sewage, wastewater, and seawater recycling and reuse
• NEXUS for efficient utilization of limited water resources and energy recovery
• Urban flood prevention and management for sustainable water cycle and urban regeneration
• The depletion and pollution of water caused by climate change
• ICBM, ICT based water management
• ‘Smart’ solutions for water management: definition and case of ‘smart solutions’ by region, sector, and target
• Nature-based solutions for ecological recovery and reinstate natural process of rivers
• Ecological urban water cycle in the adaptation of climate change

For further details about the problems please see the homepage of KIWW and the long-form descriptions.

How to Apply to the World Water Challenge 2020?

If you want to apply for the World Water Challenge 2020 and want to present a solution to one of the listed projects that are based on science and technology, you need to fill out an online form. After giving contact information and a short summary of the solution, you are asked to describe the case study (research, idea) or previous application (project name, region, budget, period, description, etc.) of your solution within 5 pages.

Applications will be reviewed under the following criteria:

• Comprehension:
  • If the solution provider exactly understands the problem including background, objectives, scope, cause, and effect, and impact on the global water issues.

• Contribution to “Sustainability”
  • If the solution provider clearly understands the meaning of sustainability.
  • If the solution sufficiently demonstrates the contribution to achieving the sustainability in development.
  • If the solution provider considers possible alternatives in achieving sustainability in the solution.

NOTE# Highlight your projects link  to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Feasibility
  • If the solution sufficiently satisfies the requirement of the problem owner in a feasible manner, such as economic, technical, legal, and political feasibility in its implementation.
  • If the solution is suitable for the implementation and easy for approaching its circumstance.○If science and technologies applied to the solution are practically applicable to the field.
  • If the local resources are efficiently used in the solution.
  • If the solution is designed to have a lasting impact on the problem.
• Challenge
  • If the solution effectively helps overcome any challenges and achieve the goals of water issues.
  • If the solution provider proposes innovative methods in solving the problem.
• Impact
  • If the solution provider well describes the expected effects of the solution on the lives of plants, animals, and human beings.
  • If the effects of activities in solving the water problems are obviously described.

Before submitting your proposal online, read carefully, and follow the guidelines indicated on the provided template below.

Make sure to address all these aspects of your proposal.

Also, make sure to check out our article with Tips for proposals in the water sector!

For further information please see the homepage of the Korea International Water Week 2020

Best of luck!