Skat Foundation (African Countries)
Skat Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organisation with more than 20 years of experience in international cooperation.
Skat Foundation aims to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations in developing and transitioning countries by promoting sustainable development practices. It fosters the exchange of knowledge and experience in development cooperation, while focusing on three interconnected sectors: Water, Renewable Energy and Waste Management. They work around the world, with a particular focus on the Global South and on areas with limited or no access to these services.
Skat Foundation contributes to improved access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in dispersed communities through strengthening the capacities of local entrepreneurs in the sector. The project aims to enable users to choose the technology, service level, and providers they want. At the same time, it strengthens local entrepreneurs to install, monitor and maintain the systems in a sustainable way. Social inclusion and gender equality are integral part of the project.
In 2022/2023, the Eurofins Foundation contributed to improved access to sustainable water of families living in dispersed communities by supporting local entrepreneurs in Zambian communities.
The project develops the capacity of local water entrepreneurs and stimulates demand for water services Information and dialogue meetings with local authorities, water committees and traditional leaders were organised as part of the project. Around 2,000 people were informed in the community meetings about the goals of the project and the benefits that they can expect from the program. Community members were invited to develop their activity and business plans through training in business, financial and marketing planning. Two groups were targeted:
- Local artisans who were trained in pump and borehole production and maintenance,
- Farmer families who decided to buy water pumps, either by paying fully or by acquiring partially sponsored ones.
In both cases, participants were informed and included in the planning of the project. A total of 802 people (560 people received a partly sponsored pump and 242 people fully paid for their pumps) benefitted directly from the project. These pumps, however, serve on average 40 people in their
neighborhood. Thus, neighboring families also participate in the planning of the project and define how to use and manage water resources together.
The support of the Eurofins Foundation focused on the installation of boreholes and pumps, including solar pumping technologies; the technical training of entrepreneurs for construction and monitoring of the technologies; and in providing training and technical support to farmers in the use of the boreholes for household and productive use. In 2023, the project achieved the following results:
- 66 water entrepreneurs were trained in the production of pumps and drilling equipment, manual drilling, installation of solar and hand pumps, and use of vertical electrical sounding (VES) for borehole sitting.
- 108 people developed skills in business, finance and marketing, ready to expand their water businesses.
- New boreholes were drilled, and 8 pumps were installed on existing wells.
- 24 hand pumps, and 25 solar pumps were installed.
This project contributes to the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
