Unilever, DFID, EY launch African sanitation innovation challenge

Unilever, DFID, EY launch African sanitation innovation challenge

Are you an innovator in sanitation? Would you like support to bring new ideas to life that meet the sanitation needs of underserved consumers? Well, TRANSFORM – a joint initiative between Unilever, DFID and EY – is offering support to water utilities in sub-Saharan Africa to develop innovative ideas to meet the sanitation needs of underserved consumers in urban areas.

The challenge also welcomes pioneering water utilities and their partners to create proposals for innovative, scalable urban sanitation innovations/solutions. Two successful applicants will be awarded a budget of up to £250,000 in funding, in addition to in-kind support from Unilever and EY over a 12-18 month period.

What is TRANSFORM?

TRANSFORM is a unique joint impact initiative between Unilever, DFID and EY. To improve the lives of low-income households.

TRANSFORM blends funding and expert support to deliver market-based solutions to the world’s biggest development challenges. So far Transform has supported 50 social enterprises in 11 countries.

All three organizations have the ambition to tap into private-sector creativity and scalable commercial approaches to solve difficult development challenges.

The initiative contributes to Unilever’s mission to make sustainable living commonplace, DFID’s goal to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty, and EY’s mission to accelerate the growth of impact enterprises and build a better working world.

TRANSFORM is accepting joint applications from utilities with their partners (NGOs, academics, consultants, and funders) based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The funding can be divided between the partners, but the lead applicant must be a utility.

Applications that include women in their key implementation team will be an added advantage

How to apply

To apply, utilities and collaborators must submit an application presenting an innovative, scalable urban sanitation business model or idea. The deadline for applications is 16 March at 9 pm GMT.

Download the application here; email completed applications to transform.utilities@gmail.com. You will receive an email confirming receipt.

Applications will be selected by 30 March, 9 pm GMT with a request to submit a full proposal with a budget and timeline by 13 April, 9 pm GMT. Please find the scoring criteria here.

Two challenge winners will be notified by 30 April, 9 pm GMT with full/quarterly/monthly funding dispersal beginning on 25 May. You can find more information here.

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