This is an introduction to one of our current partners.



The following text is taken directly from their application form and was written by the partner organisation themselves.

Description:
Despite the increasing demand, the water sector is facing today a lack of innovative small- and middle-scale businesses that offer products in the field of sustainable sanitation and water management services. cewas is the institutional answer to this situation. Organised in four business domains (Start-Up Centre, Think-Tank, Training Centre, Business Platform), it aims at strengthening the implementation skills in the sector on an international level in a unique training programme combining advanced education and coaching. The international Start-Up teams will be able to offer solutions based on a good knowledge of regional markets and conditions but also a wider range of contacts to research and development in the North and the South. Each Start-Up is coached by one or several members from the Think-Tank, a core group of international high-level experts from the sector, which bring in their network, expertise and the current state-of-the-art knowledge. The coaches also ensure the strategic and practical orientation of the Start-Ups. The training programme provides the Start-Ups not only with the advanced knowhow for business development and management, but also the advanced knowledge on technical aspects of sustainable sanitation and water management (SSWM), the required practical experiences, support for extending their network, links to research and technology development, as well as first contacts with investors.

Activities in Sustainable Sanitation:
cewas aims at strengthening the private sector for the implementation of sustainable sanitation and water management on an international level. It builds up young entrepreneurs that want to create their own business. The Training Centre provides five modules: Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management (SSWM); Business Development in SSWM; Business Development Coaching I and II; and Operating and Managing a Business. During the whole programme, Start-Ups are coached by international experts, which ensure the strategic and practical orientation of the Start-Ups and help them with their network and expertise. The different training modules are open for external participants as well. Several forums, (e.g. on the role of the private sector for the implementation and service delivery in sustainable sanitation and water management) are organised during the year and open to the public. cewas, which is based in Switzerland, also maintains regional platforms in Africa and South-East Asia.

Expectations in the Partnership:
The participation of cewas in SuSanA will bring increased exchange of experiences and resources with different actors from the sector. To be embedded within a larger network, helps to ensure the strategic orientation of cewas in order to meet the current capacity development needs of target groups.

Contribution to SuSanA:
cewas will provide inputs for the working group discussions. It will also share its experiences from the training programme and outcomes from workshops and conferences. It will actively promote SuSanA among its members and within its and network.

Partner since: February 2012

cewas website: www.cewas.org