Projects

With many victims, people displaced, and buildings and infrastructure swept away, the dimension of this humanitarian catastrophe became quickly evident day after day. After checking that all colleagues at GF Hakan Plastik in Turkey were safe, GF quickly mobilized financial and material aid for survivors in collaboration with its long-standing partner Water Mission, which has over 20 years of experience in disaster response. 

In disaster relief efforts, speed is vital – as is on-the-ground logistics expertise, which GF Hakan provided. Water Mission’s multiple shipments of emergency materials cleared customs within 48 hours of arrival – the fastest ever in our partner's experience. This was essential in quickly getting those materials to those in need.

Through the systems and materials that GF Hakan helped import and source locally, Water Mission quickly installed water treatment and distribution systems for temporary clinics, kitchens, and housing camps – all of which require a reliable supply of safe water. Since February, the organization has already provided an estimated 1.2 million liters of safe water in these disaster-relief facilities.

This powerful seismic event sent shockwaves throughout the region, causing significant damage to critical infrastructures and homes. Communities in the affected areas are struggling with the aftermath of this natural disaster. Upon learning of the earthquake's impact, the GF Water Foundation reached out to Hubert Charles, Managing Director of GF France, as his team has personal ties to Morocco. With the backing of GF Water Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Hubert and Karima El Abbassi, the Human Resources Assistant at GF France, explored various approaches to aid the reconstruction of the area.

Following comprehensive research, the team chose the  High Atlas Foundation (HAF), an NGO that has operated for more than 20 years in Morocco, as our partner for the reconstruction efforts.

As stage 1 of our support for the reconstruction, the GF Water Foundation provided USD 35’000 for empowerment workshops to help 375 women and 300 children across a total of 15 villages overcome earthquake-related trauma and develop socio-economic resilience.

For stage 2, the Foundation will provide financial support to promote long-term recovery among women in these afflicted communities through education, skills development, and community involvement in water infrastructure restoration and management. Our GF colleagues in France and Morocco will offer expertise and potentially relevant GF products for the renovation of houses and water infrastructure, aiming for sustainable improvements to benefit the communities involved and ensure a long-term impact.

Launched in January 2022, the Impact-Oriented Vocational Training for Sustainable Water Management in Luapula is a key component of WfW’s Skills Development Programme in Zambia. The GF Water Foundation contributed CHF 80’000 to WfW to implement a professional course program based on a new curriculum and to partner with the local utility for practical training opportunities for students. Yannic Olms and Manuel Schwarz from GF Piping Systems visited the site to explore how GF's technologies and expertise in water treatment and transportation could provide tangible benefits in a developing region and help enhance local water management skills.

From February 5th to 11th, 2023, Yannic and Manuel were in Lusaka and Mansa to collaborate directly with the WfW team. The Zambian team introduced them to local partners and the WfW portfolio in Zambia. Together, they conducted a market assessment for pipe fitting materials in Lusaka and developed the initial draft of the Pipe Fitting Module's Performance Learning Unit with the Expert Task Force.

"At GF, we have extensive knowledge in jointing and materials technologies. We explored how we could adapt our training to meet local needs," said Manuel.

Providing GF employees with the opportunity to volunteer with the foundation brought additional benefits. "Helping build a better tomorrow gave me immense satisfaction. It has also increased my motivation in my day-to-day job," Manuel added.

Only 17% of the country's arable land is irrigated year round. Climate change makes matters worse, with springs carrying less water or drying up completely. More frequent floods and landslides destroy fields and infrastructure. 

This was the scenario presented in December 2022 to the GF Water Foundation, which quickly pledged a CHF 100'000 grant to support a project by Helvetas in four Nepali villages with a total population of 2'500-3'000 inhabitants.

The project aims to ensure fair access to water, drive efficient water use and implement water conservation measures in poor, remote areas of western Nepal. In addition, the project will provide training of local entrepreneurs as plumbers, masons and latrine builders.

"This project highlights the close link between water, life and well-being. By providing education on hygiene and creating training opportunities, this projects is a great example of the holistic approach that we must take to make sure the impact we make remains effective and sustainable in the long term," said Li Serra, Managing Director of the GF Water Foundation.  

Situated just north of Mount Kenya National Park, the local communities around the LEWA Wildlife Conservancy rely on agriculture and pastoralism. They face numerous challenges due to climate change and unsustainable practices, which lead to water scarcity during dry seasons.

The construction of the Subuiga Reservoir had been planned for over 15 years with the primary goal of transforming 2’500 acres of land through sustainable irrigation. By reducing the direct extraction of water from natural sources, the reservoir allows more water to flow to forests and nearby springs, thereby protecting Kenya’s key wildlife species.

In July 2023, the construction of the long-awaited Subuiga Reservoir project in Buuri, Meru County, Kenya, was completed. GF partnered with Zurich Zoo, which raises funds for major conservation projects worldwide, pledging USD 100’000 through the Zoo to support the LEWA Wildlife Conservancy and its collaborators: the Kenya Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, the Water Resources Authority, the County Government of Meru, the Water Resources Users Association (WRUA), and Kisima Farm.

The reservoir now directly supports the livelihoods of over 20’000 community members in Mutunda, Subuiga, and Ntumburi by providing water for irrigation and livestock. It also represents a significant step toward overcoming water scarcity during dry seasons, protecting against flooding during rainy seasons, mitigating human-wildlife conflict due to water competition, and building the communities’ climate resilience.

Based in the Deepor Beel lake region of India, the project combines integrated eco-tourism practices with bioremediation techniques to foster sustainable development in rural areas of west India. Started in 2023, it aims to provide alternative means of livelihood by developing sustainable eco-tourism infrastructure while concurrently offering capacity building programs to ensure biodiversity-friendly agriculture and sustainable water use.

Additionally, a bioremediation model will be implemented in a section of the Pamohi River to address pollution issues and safeguard the Deepor Beel wetland ecosystem. The impacts of this project include: improving the income for families that offer homestays to tourists; employing 150 underprivileged women; improving the resilience of 220 farmers and fishers through trainings on sustainable agriculture; and improving WASH (water, hygiene, and sanitation) for 100 people. In addition, the head of corporate citizenship at GF India will assist in monitoring the learning and progress over the next three years.