Oikocredit announces new water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) collaboration with Water.org

Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor Oikocredit and US-based water-and-sanitation non-profit Water.org are launching a three-year collaboration on international water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions.

Oikocredit and Water.org will combine efforts and resources, starting in Brazil, Peru and Mexico, to promote WASH services, especially in areas challenged by low incomes, lack of incentives, droughts and climate change. As strategic partners, both will contribute with their products, services, expertise and networks to develop financially viable and scalable solutions for communities in need.      

The collaboration – built on shared culture, values and principles – aims to catalyse credit flows to the inclusive finance sector for WASH, climate change and environmental purposes. Water.org will lead with technical assistance and Oikocredit with debt capital.

Rocio Cavazos, Regional Director for Latin America at Water.org, said: “We are grateful to Oikocredit for its commitment to helping solve the water crisis. Oikocredit does this by financing WASH loan portfolios, while Water.org helps financial institutions develop and deliver specialised WASH credit products to address their clients’ needs.”

Nicolas Viedma, Oikocredit’s Investments Manager for Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, said: “Oikocredit is delighted to collaborate with Water.org to enhance access to safe water and sanitation. By combining our financing with their technical expertise, we aim to empower financial institutions. Together, we will create sustainable and impactful WASH solutions for underserved communities.”

About Water.org

Water.org is a global non-profit organisation that has positively transformed more than 66 million lives around the world with safe water or sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, it has helped give women hope, children health and families bright futures.

Learn more at www.water.org.

About Oikocredit

Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has nearly five decades of experience funding organisations active in financial inclusion, agriculture and renewable energy.

Oikocredit’s loans, equity investments and capacity building aim to enable people on low incomes in Africa, Asia and Latin America to improve their living standards sustainably.

Oikocredit finances more than 520 partners, with total outstanding capital of EUR 1,136.1 million (at March 2024). For more information, visit www.oikocredit.coop.

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Note for editors

For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Viviana Cordero, Communications Business Partner, Oikocredit International, telephone: +31 33 422 4040, email: vcordero@oikocredit.org.