Abbreviation | RWSN |
---|---|
Formation | 1992 | (initially under the name of Handpump Technology Network (HTN), since 2004 under the name of RWSN)
Type | Non-profit organization |
Focus | Achieving universal access to safe, affordable drinking water for all rural people worldwide |
Headquarters | St. Gallen, Switzerland (location of secretariat) |
Region served | Worldwide but mainly developing countries |
Method | Networking, capacity building, knowledge sharing, creating and hosting publications, online discussion groups, webinars, conferences |
Funding | Various (formerly Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) was providing core funding); nowadays funding is from partner contributions and project funding |
Website | rural-water-supply |
The Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) is a global, multi-stakeholder network focused on achieving universal access to safe, affordable drinking water for all rural people worldwide. Established in 1992 as the Handpump Technology Network (HTN),[1][2] the organization originally concentrated on the development and maintenance of handpump technologies. Over time, it expanded its scope to address broader rural water supply issues, and in 2004, it was rebranded as RWSN.[3] The network has no legal structure and instead is a loose collaboration.
RWSN operates on the principles of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building among its members. The network is organized into various thematic groups, such as sustainable groundwater development, self-supply, and the professionalization of community water management. RWNS runs webinars, facilitates online discussion communities and publishes peer-reviewed guidelines and case studies.[4]
Funding for RWSN comes from a combination of membership fees, grants from international donors, and contributions from partner organizations. The RWSN secretariat had income for the period 2018-2020 from 15 sources of partner contributions and project funding. The largest single contribution (30%) was from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).[4] The secretariat complements its core funds with project based work.[5]: 4
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