Four partners, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Coca-Cola Foundation, FEMSA Foundation and One Drop Foundation joined forces and committed USD 25 million to create a unique regional programme focused on achieving real and lasting change, placing communities at its centre.
In 2016, we began working to reach the first five countries: Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Paraguay, where we combined access to services with the promotion of sustainable changes in key behaviours, using art as a tool to activate community participation.
By the end of 2022, more than 235,000 people had improved their access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, with tangible results in practices such as handwashing, use of toilets and payment of service fees.
Expansion of the programme began in 2023, with Fundación Avina taking the lead as programme manager. This stage seeks to scale the model, strengthen partnerships and consolidate the sustainability of the impact on more communities in the region
Sustainable change only happens when people are at the centre,
when local ownership is promoted and community creativity is activated.
that demonstrates that access to safe water is possible, achievable and transformative.
We work together with companies, cooperation agencies, governments, communities, local organisations and NGOs.
We provide access and/or improvements to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
We mobilize communities with social art.
We stimulate the local economy by co-creating capital access solutions with, by, and for communities.
-Maria del Carmen
Micro-entrepreneur participating in the Agua para ConvidArte project
“During the training process I've learned many things I didn't know would be useful for my company. For me, the support I've received means a lot. I thank the Agua para ConvidArte Project because with their help, I will move forward and achieve my goals as a micro-entrepreneur in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.
-Adalis Orozco
Leader of Change Nicaragua Rural Project
“One of the best moments I was able to experience in the workshops as an Agent of Change was when the facilitator encouraged us and kept reminding us to learn how to modulate our voice. I always participate; I work as president of the CAPS (Water and Sanitation Committee) and during the assembly I need that voice —and it has helped me a lot”.
-Felipe Juárez
Xoconoxtlito del Llanito Community in Mexico
“It caught my attention when they told us the training was about how we could help each other, how we could work in the future, and more important, how to understand people and how people could understand us”.
The Lazos de Agua Program is an initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), The Coca-Cola Foundation, FEMSA Foundation, and One Drop Foundation.
The name and logo of A·B·C for Sustainability and Social Art for Behaviour Change are registered trademarks of the One Drop Foundation.
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