EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East and WaterPartners International are two of the seven organisations that have received a Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. Each recipient receives a three-year grant of US$ 765,000 (€ 587,000).

EcoPeace was established in 1994, to promote cooperation in protecting the region’s shared water resources and environmental heritage. The Good Water Neighbors community exchange project, and programs to rehabilitate the Lower Jordan River, are leading examples of cross-border initiatives that have fostered collaboration and increased awareness of common interests.

Set up in 1990, WaterPartners International provides both microcredit and grants for water and sanitation projects. So far it has invested approximately US$ 6 million (€ 4.6 million) in projects, which have directly benefited more than 350,000 people.

The Skoll Foundation was created in 1999 by eBay’s first president, Jeff Skoll. The Foundation connects social entrepreneurs and other partners in the field via an online community at www.socialedge.org, and through the annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship.

Related web sites:

• EcoPeace - Good Water Neighbors project
• WaterPartners International
• Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship

Source: Skoll Foundation, 11 Mar 2009

Tags: financing, middle east & north africa, water resources management, water supply