THE GWWI 2010 West Africa Women and Water Program is a joint initiative of organizations A Single Drop, Crabgrass and Women’s Earth Alliance. The 2010 program was held in partnership with ProNet Accra (a project of WaterAid Ghana).

The 2010 West Africa Program trained 15 teams from Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Cameroon, and Mali. The week-long training was held in Kokrobite, Ghana at the Kokrobitey Institute. Women attendees designed and committed to specific action plans to launch water and sanitation projects in their communities over the course of the next year. The GWWI team will provide seed funding and follow-up support for each team to implement their water project and usher in health, economic opportunities, and justice to their communities.

HOW THE GWWI WEST AFRICA PROGRAM WORKS
Those selected as GWWI participants participated in 3 phases of work: Preparation, Training, and Implementation. 

During the Preparation Phase, selected participants: 
•    Gather information and map their communities’ needs related to water and sanitation.
•    Take part in facilitated conference calls and web-based community forums, and accomplish pre-training assignments








During the Training Phase, the selected teams: 
•    Attend a week-long capacity-building training to learn proven and appropriate water technologies and introductory business skills to address the water challenges in their communities
•    Receive training from highly-skilled African women trainers who specialize in the training topics
•    Gain the ability to
     1)    design and implement a water service project from start to finish;
     2)    create right livelihoods and teach others to do the same; and
     3)    develop long-lasting support networks with other women water advocates
•    Draft a project action plan and gain the opportunity to receive a seed grant to launch a water project in their community

During the Implementation Phase, the GWWI participants implement their projects and receive GWWI support including:
•    On-the-ground site visits and refresher trainings
•    Peer support via virtual and  web-based technologies
•    Technical assistance in identifying and securing additional funding for successful projects
•    Pairing with global peers specializing in issues of water, policy and development





HOW PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED
•    A Call for Nominations was distributed in 2009 through a global network, including key advisors, regional coordinators, and colleague organizations.
•    Nominations were reviewed by a hand-selected committee composed of experts who specialize in Africa, water issues, international development, and other relevant topics
•    The selection committee identified 15 two-person teams (see the GWWI website for the selected participants' bios)
•    Selection is based on specific criteria, including demonstrated leadership, a track record of community development work, and a readiness to launch a community-based water project.

See the Global Women's Water Initiative website for more information, blog, and updates!