Joint funding, of The Ian Potter Foundation (IPF) and The Myer Foundation (TMF), is in the works to improve Australia’s land and water management through an independent source of water and catchment policy advice.
The foundations’ commonality in exploring issues affecting Australia’s freshwater systems led the pair into partnership, and the birth of a new organisation, to understand what role philanthropy can play in the management and protection of freshwater.
TMF CEO, Leonard Vary told Pro Bono News, ‘The research suggests that a trusted, independent, community-led and evidence-based organisation is needed to catalyse change and help frame future water and catchment policy to serve the interests of all Australians for generations to come,’
The foundations’ investment of $5 million in the project, over the next decade, hinges on raising a further $25 million from external parties.
According to IPF CEO, Craig Connelly, the national centre plans to convene experts, policymakers, industry and communities to assist government in delivering policy settings to achieve improved and sustainable management of Australia’s freshwater resources.
‘This is a compelling opportunity for Australian philanthropy to establish an organisation that is intended to have a meaningful and lasting impact of the management of Australia’s most precious resource: freshwater,’ he said.
Representatives from the foundations will be searching for partners in the coming weeks and months.
For more see: probonoaustralia.com.au
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Dear Madam, Namaste and Warm Greetings from KEEP Nepal! We would like to share briefly on KEEP’s involvement on the water project and future projects seeking financial support. KEEP is a non-profit non-governmental organization with above 29 years of history. KEEP has historically been involved in community programs helping to develop infrastructure both directly, but also indirectly, liaising as the ‘in country partner’ for many foreign organizations operating social programs in Nepal. Many of these programs are situated in locations inhabited by porters who have initially requested KEEP for community support. Nepal’s extreme physio-geography, uneven distribution of houses and villages, differences in rural, urban living systems offers a water crisis. Water is usually available in rural river valleys, but especially the livelihood of villages sitting on top parts of the hill are highly affected by lesser water availability. It has been a serious problem for the villagers especially who are assigned for household chores. Water fetching job issues with Gender equality, girls’ education and time-saving to women are also a common and an important point to be connected closely in a social development process. Availability of water at local sources decreased significantly in the worst-hit districts after the devastating earthquake in April 2015. Earthquake survivors are experiencing difficulties in collecting drinking water as its sources have been scarce in such districts. Villagers are compelled to walk long distances to fetch water especially women and school going children The team at KEEP discusses various problems faced by the people in the targeted villages to ascertain the greatest need. The people request the provision of safe drinking water in their communities as a top priority. We successfully completed two water projects in 2021 which benefitted 128 families. In collaboration with SMEC foundation and BridgIT Water Foundation KEEP is running the Sigas Water Project at Sigas Rural Municipality, Baitadi district. The project will be completed within September 2021. Future Projects requiring financial support 1) Ratamate and Tallododani Water project, Dhading district 2) Shallebasa Drinking Water Project, Baitadi 3) Bajkot Water Project, Baitadi district 4) Water Project at Rasuwa district 5) Thangpal Dhap Water Project, Sindupalchowk district If you would like to be involved in this opportunity to continue the Water Sanitation Program under KEEP’s community program then please contact us for more specific details. We would be grateful if you could support our water projects. Thank you for taking time to read. Kindly check it. Looking forward to hearing from you. Best Regards Taradatt Joshi