2.2 billion people do not have access to safely managed drinking water. 3.5 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services. 940 million people do not have access to electricity. 2.3 billion people do not have access to clean cooking. We are finding new ways to deal with critical infrastructure challenges. Examples of that work include, but are not limited to:
Engineers Without Borders Argentina are conducting research of the situation of water and sanitation access in 100 isolated rural areas in South Santiago del Estero. The information will be gathered through an instrument specifically designed to collect data without the need of connectivity. In Argentina, 7 million people do not have access to safe drinking water. This situation is particularly complex in isolated rural areas in regions affected by drought and climate variability. Most of the times, families in Santiago del Estero depend on external water supply through tanker trucks, and they even use unsafe drinking water which is not suitable for human consumption. Learn more.
In collaboration with the Swiss engineering firm Holinger AG, IngOG+ is supporting Yrdyk, a village of about 3’000 inhabitants located in the Eastern part of Kyrgyzstan. The goal of this project is to support this resilient and enterprising community in the upcoming years and develop a sustainable and safe drinking water supply system with them. In this project a suitable method is being developed for water treatment meaning that once the simple, low-maintenance method for obtaining drinking water is working, it can be replicated by the locals in other villages. Learn more.
Engineers Without Borders-Netherlands (EWB-NL) has joined forces with Trash Smart, a local waste management organisation in Kumasi, Ghana, to transform plastic waste into valuable construction materials. This innovative project aims to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution in Ghana, while simultaneously providing much-needed infrastructure for local communities.
The project focuses on scaling up Trash Smart’s existing waste management business by integrating mechanical recycling processes into their operations. EWB-NL, in collaboration with Temporary Works Design and The Great Plastic Bake Off, is developing a comprehensive solution, encompassing a sustainable business model, software for optimizing the value chain, construction efficiency enhancements, recycling technology for brick production, and architectural and structural designs. Learn more.
Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) harnesses the power of a robust network of student and professional volunteers to deliver transformative infrastructure projects to under-resourced communities in both the United States and around the world. Their efforts are deeply rooted in a collaborative approach, where they engage in long-term, intentional partnerships with local communities—a model they call “Purposeful Partnership.” These purposeful partnerships, nurtured by our dedicated volunteers, not only create meaningful change on the ground but also provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students, fostering the next generation of leaders in STEM-related fields and community development. Learn more.