The Swiss Blue Community / Blue City of St.Gallen supports two aid projects to improve water supply in Zambia. The City is donating a total of €40,000 to two aid projects. The contributions come from the “Wasser-Rappen” (water cent) fund and will go to organisations that are committed to sustainable water supply structures and vocational training in the water sector.
In 2020, the city of St.Gallen as a ‘Blue Community’ launched the ‘Water Rappen’ fund. This fund supports water supply projects in countries where people have difficult access to drinking water. More than 1,900 households in St.Gallen voluntarily contribute to this fund. The funds are used once a year to provide targeted support to aid organisations implementing sustainable water supply projects.
Two projects in Zambia will receive CHF 20,000 each in 2023:
Skat Foundation – SMART Centre Project in Petauke
The Blue Community Skat Foundation’s SMART Centre project aims to secure access to water and income in rural areas of Zambia. Smallholder farmers will be trained in water-related technologies at training centres, including the manufacture and operation of pumps and drilling equipment. More than 2,600 people will benefit from this training.
Water for Water – Vocational training in the water sector
The Water for Water organisation has been working in the vocational training sector in Zambia since 2013, helping to improve training in the water and sanitation sector. The project supports 200 students in the water sector and ten apprentices. The aim is to improve water supply in rural areas through well-trained professionals.
All residents of St.Gallen can freely choose their annual contribution via the registration form for the water rappen. Billing is done conveniently via the electricity bill from the St.Gallen utility company.
The City of St.Gallen has published a form for projects and organisations wishing to apply for support from the Water Rappen Fund.
