Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated Awarded $150,000 Grant from Global Water Challenge to Strengthen Rural Water Leadership and Resilience

The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) has been awarded $150,000 from Global Water Challenge (GWC). The funding will expand efforts to build leadership capacity in underserved rural communities by supporting participation in the Water Leadership Institute’s workshops and eliminating financial and logistical barriers that may prevent individuals from participating.

“Global Water Challenge is committed to removing barriers to last-mile clean water access in the United States and across the world," said Monica Ellis, CEO of Global Water Challenge. “Cultivating and quipping local champions with the skills to serve their communities with clean water access is a key strategy for reaching those at the last mile.”

GWC’s funding will enable individuals from disadvantaged rural communities to attend a series of leadership workshops focused on strengthening water system governance, operations and community engagement. Participants who complete at least 75% of the sessions will receive a direct financial stipend upon graduation of the Institute, easing the financial and logistical barriers that may otherwise prevent participation of these sessions. Participants will take the knowledge and experience they achieved from participation in the Water Leadership Institute to strengthen the capacity of rural water systems within their own communities. GWC and RCAP anticipate that up to 50 rural communities will be positively reached with improved capacity from this support.

“This initiative directly invests in the people, the human capital, who are on the front lines of ensuring clean and safe water in their communities,” said Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of RCAP. “Removing barriers to participation and prioritizing local, emerging leaders bolsters our mission to ensure long-term solutions for rural water challenges and improves the quality of life of rural community residents.”

Funding for this program was made possible through the generosity of the Kohler Clean Water Trust, who selected GWC to manage programming, including this key initiative with RCAP, that will drive last-mile water access in high-need American communities.

To learn more about RCAP’s mission and impact, visit www.rcap.org. To learn more about GWC, visit www.globalwaterchallenge.org.

About Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP)

The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners working to provide technical assistance, training, resources and support to rural communities across every state, the U.S. territories and Tribal lands. Through RCAP’s regional partners, more than 350 technical assistance providers (TAPs) build long-term capacity through trusted relationships with thousands of communities across the country.

About Global Water Challenge (GWC)

Global Water Challenge (GWC) is a sector leader in mobilizing clean water access, advancing water security and community empowerment in high need regions around the world. Since 2005, GWC has positively impacted more than three million people across Africa, the Americas and Asia with improved WASH delivery while providing critical tools, data and best practices to reach millions more. With our 100+ multi-sector partners, GWC engages for action – catalyzing financial resources and driving innovative programming for sustainable, local solutions. For more information, please visit globalwaterchallenge.org.

About Water Leadership Institute (WLI)

The WLI aims to build capacity and leadership skills in rural communities so members can effectively engage in broader water discussions and decision-making that could have a direct impact on their lives and communities. The purpose of the WLI is to develop volunteer leaders, connect them to each other and to regional resources, and to forge strong relationships that support community interests. The WLI ultimately aims to empower communities to be self-sufficient and sustainable.

RCAP and its western regional partner Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) began the first Leadership Institute in 2004. In 2013, the first Water Leadership Institute was held as a partnership program between RCAC, Self-Help Enterprises, and Environmental Defense Fund. It has since grown and evolved, with an average of two to four cohorts per year, and over 60 communities served across the rural west.

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