EWB-USA’s Approach to Sustainability

• Questions for You• What Do We Mean By

Sustainability?• Sustainability in Our Principles• 3 Pillars of Sustainability• Economic, Social/Cultural &

Environmental Sustainability• What We Do To Increase

Sustainability • Sustainable At Home

Presentation OutlineEWB-USA’s Approach to Sustainability

Questions For You

1. What does “sustainability” even mean?

2. Why does it matter?

What Do You Think?

EWB-USA and Sustainability

What Do We Mean By Sustainability?

Sustainability within EWB-USA is the capacity of a

project to endure.

EWB-USA Principles of Development

1. ENGINEERING2. COMMUNITY DRIVEN3. COMMITMENT4. QUALITY5. SAFETY6. EXPERTISE7. APPROPRIATENESS8. SUSTAINABILITY9. PARTNERS10. EDUCATION

EWB-USA’s Principles of Development• http://www.ewb-usa.org/what-we-do/

international-programs

Three Pillars of Sustainability

Economic

Social/CulturalEnvironmental

Sustainability

Sustainability Economic

Economic Sustainability Within EWB-USA

• Community owned, community-driven

• Minimum 5% (or more) community cash contribution

• 100% O & M from the community

Sustainability Social/Cultural

Social/Cultural Sustainability Within EWB-USA

• Existing community structures

• Community input in decisions

• Services shared with all

• Culturally accepted and appropriate solutions

Sustainability Environmental

Environmental Sustainability Within EWB-USA

• Impact on the local environment

• Technical solution fits this community and local environment

• Does a solution cause a new problem?

Sustainable In Our Approach

What Does EWB-USA Do To Increase Sustainable Outcomes?

All of These Help Increase Sustainability

• 501 New Community Program Application and ARC• 5% Minimum Community Cash Contribution• Community 100% Responsible for Operations and Maintenance• 5 Year Commitment to the Community Partner• 3 Way Partnership: Community, Chapter and Local NGO or Gov’t• QA/QC (EWB-USA Project Process)• Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Program

Sustainable As A Chapter

Sustainability Starts At Home

Sustainable partnerships and projects need sustainable chapters

Sustainability Resources

1. EWB-USA Principles of Development 1. http://www.ewb-usa.org/what-we-do/international-programs

2. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Overview (PMEL) 1. http://www.ewb-usa.org/what-we-do/international-programs

3. Project Process Webinar 1. http://my.ewb-usa.org/project-resources/member-webinars

4. Planning for Sustainability on Assessment Trips Webinar 1. http://my.ewb-usa.org/project-resources/member-webinars

5. 2014 EWB-USA National Conference Presentations 1. http://my.ewb-usa.org/project-resources/member-webinars

STAY IN TOUCHMAKE A DIFFERENCE

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Photo: EWB-USA University of Colorado Boulder Chapter