THIS IS HOW WE OPERATE
Currently active water projects are displayed on the map. Look for made blue icons on the map.
We choose to operate in areas coping with permanent water stress and within relatively stable (political) environments.
Together with local partners we are working on lasting change.
METER READING
Our total impact realized since the start of made blue in 2014 is displayed below. We register the number of people given permanent access to clean water and hygiene, multiplied by a minimal daily use of 20 litres of water per person, according to United Nations reports.
Our meter reading
17,050,329,976 LITRES
We have already achieved so much clean drinking water in developing countries and that has more impact than you think:
Women have time to work again and children can go to school, giving them a better chance of a better life later. People no longer have to cut down trees to boil dirty water and it is no longer necessary to buy disposable bottles.
233.566
people got access
119.352
tons of CO2 saved
170.503
tons of plastic waste prevented
2.557.549
trees saved
We promise access to clean water and hygiene for at least 10 years after completing a water project, of course working hard to make our impact last even longer. We’re fair about potential risks involved. Therefore we’re aiming at reaching more people than being targetted, making sure reported impact is even bigger in real life.
Each project is checked before and during execution. We receive help in this from Aqua for All, the agency that has also been checking the water projects of the Dutch government for many years.
LASTING CHANGE
Unfortunately, many well-intentioned initiatives did not live up to expectations. In sub-Sahara Africa it is estimated that about 50% of water pumps once installed by charities are no longer functioning. That is a tragedy! Obviously, that’s not how it should be at all and that is why we’re very serious about making impact last.
Therefore every project we engage in is thoroughly screened and fitted with a business model and ownership structure guaranteeing operation and maintenance for at least 10 years to come. This often means that users pay a small contribution for the water fetched at the facility, funds that are being used as savings for future repairs or even expansion.
That results in lasting change and a more sustainable society. The sustainability factor is even bigger as direct access to clean water often also means no longer having to boil polluted surface water over open fire or having to buy packaged water.
Of course sustainability is key in our own operation as well, developing solutions that contribute to lowering water footprints of products and services of the companies supporting our work.
Innovation
As there’s always room for improvement we also invest time and resources into optimizing the way we work towards access to clean water and hygiene for all. For example by running a pilot project with a water vending machine in Tanzania.
We’re aiming at challenging local communities not only taking ownership, but also coming up with new ideas and approaches towards access to clean water and hygiene for all. That is a conscious policy.
In the end we work towards the clear objective to make as much impact as possible with every Euro being invested.
knock-on effect
Water projects are fitted with a business model and ownership structure. This often means that users pay a small contribution for the water fetched at the facility, funds that are being used as savings for future repairs.
We often see that local communities are able to create additional water supplies on their own initiative based on modest income. Water points also attract other entrepreneurs. This creates a knock-on effect that has much more impact.
Active projects
These are currently ongoing projects enabling access to clean water and hygiene for all.
Water for villages in India
1,165 families in the Kadapa District in India will have direct access to water thanks to 10 new borewells.
Read morewatergrids in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, mini water networks will give 22,800 people direct access to clean drinking water.
Read moreFrom water to work in Nepal
In Nepal we restore water supplies and teach women to manage them as a business.
Read moreLocal innovation in Uganda
Together with the local population, we devise water solutions that work well for them. Women are central to this.
Read more“
We often see that local communities are able to create additional water supplies on their own initiative based on modest income. Water points also attract other entrepreneurs. This creates a knock-on effect that has much more impact.
Frank van der Tang, co-founder Made Blue
”
Latest updates
Drilling for water
We are supporting a project in India to build 10 borewells for remote villages. How does that work? Let’s find out.
Read moreA school visit in Nepal
At the end of 2023, we were able to build a new water point at a secondary school in Nepal. 438 people are now supplied with clean water.
Read more7 borewells in 5 months
In 2024 we are supporting a project in India in which we will build 10 wells. 7 of these have already been realised in the first quarter of the year.
Read moreVisiting Uganda
In October 2023 we traveled to the area around Fort Portal in Uganda with a group of ambassadors. There we were able to see the results of the hard work of local entrepreneurs with our own eyes. We…
Read moreFinished projects
We recently successfully completed these projects.
Making water everybody’s business
An enterprising water project in Ethiopia lasting five years in the slums of large cities such as the capital Addis Ababa.
Read moreWater and sanitation at ánd around schools
Children in Ethiopia will get access to water and sanitation at school and the neighbourhood benefits as well. In collaboration with Amref and Castalie.
Read moreSaid’s water vending machine
Innovation and entrepreneurship in clean drinking water in Tanzania through the smart Water Vending Machine in collaboration with Simavi.
Read moreClean drinking water for minorities in Vietnam
Finally access to clean drinking water for a disadvantaged minority group in Vietnam, the Muong, in collaboration with World Vision.
Read more