Projects

Location: Tanzania

Istituto Oikos (“Oikos”) is a non-profit organisation that operates in Europe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar and Lebanon to safeguard biodiversity and to promote the widespread adoption of more sustainable lifestyles. Oikos has a vision for a future in which ecology, economy and equity come together to reconcile the needs of people and planet. Their Mission is to contribute to preserving ecosystems and supporting development through professionalism, innovation and participation.

In November 2019, Oikos began a three-year project to strengthen the WASH services in the Region of Manyara, Tanzania. The intervention aimed to guarantee and increase the equitable access and economically sustainable rural water schemes in rural villages across the Districts of Kiteto and Simanjiro. NextEnergy Foundation has replaced two diesel water pumps with solar-powered water pumps (“SPWPs”) in the rural villages of Ilkishbour and Ndedo in the Kiteto District.

Project Completion February 2022: The project is now complete and both solar-powered water pumps are fully operational. In the Ndedo Village, almost 3,300 inhabitants are benefiting from the clean water. At the start of the project there were three boreholes in this village, only one of which was operational and from which the entire village depended for domestic and livestock demands. In the village of Irkiushioibor, there are over 5,900 beneficiaries who previously all depended upon a diesel-powered water generator which was not only very polluting, but also subject to frequent malfunctions. During the dry seasons, inhabitants from both villages were forced to walk many kilometres to collect water from unsafe sources.

In order to guarantee the full participation of the village community members with the project, local partners were involved in the construction of the hydraulic systems and installation of the solar-powered pumps. These partners collaborated with the communities to address their priorities from the project; provided them with technical training; and engaged and supported them to develop participatory management procedures for the appropriate maintenance of the water systems. All the actions were carried out to ensure equity in the water distribution and to avoid social marginalisation in access to the water, especially for women. The local partners will continue to support the village inhabitants in the operation and maintenance of the systems in the long-term.

First Annual Update January 2023: Oikos recently submitted the first of three annual reports tracking the long-term impacts of the two SPWPs.

Between January and December 2022, Oikos field staff visited the two villages on a regular basis to assist in the creation of the Community Based Water Supply Organisations (“CBWSOs”). This was conducted in close collaboration with the Tanzanian Government’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (“RUWASA”). Oikos also gathered data and compared it with data gathered pre-intervention to determine that the socio-economic impacts of the project are materialising across four dimensions:

  1. Reduced distance between the water distribution points and the major centres of aggregation of the population – this has been particularly positive for women who are now devoting the time they used to spend fetching water to other activities;
  2. Significant savings in water system operating costs – compared to the costs to run the previous diesel systems, each CBWSO saves USD 400-500 per month;
  3. Increased water quantity and improved quality – since April 2022 (when both systems were fully operational), over 13,000m3 potable water have been pumped and 100% of the water is potable;
  4. Heightened sense of responsibility for the two SPWPs on the part of the CBWSOs.

In addition, Oikos recently signed an agreement with RUWASA and Carbon Sink Group, an Italian carbon project developer, to accredit the two SPWPs with the Gold Standard and issue carbon credits which will be sold on the voluntary carbon market. The credits are generated by calculating the emissions avoided by each family accessing solar-pumped water instead of using diesel to generate potable water. Carbon Sink will sell the credits and the profits will be reinvested across the CBWSOs – under RUWASA’s supervision – to operate and monitor the SPWPs and to extend water access to neighbouring areas. The long-term aim is to extend this collaboration between RUWASA and Carbon Sink to all SPWPs developed by Oikos in Tanzania, including the three additional pumps financed by NextEnergy Foundation in 2022.

Second Annual Update December 2023: Oikos submitted the second of three annual reports tracking the long-term impacts of the two SPWPs.

Between January and December 2023, Oikos representatives continued the monitoring of the two villages’ water schemes and the coaching of the Community Based Water Supply Organisations (“CBWSOs”) on technical and financial management, in collaboration with the Tanzanian Government’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (“RUWASA”).

RUWASA organised bi-annual meetings with CBWSOs representatives to further the formal training by District office experts. A new policy was put in place in order to make the management of the water schemes more efficient; more water schemes were clustered under the same CBWSO led by a single, shared management team. In particular, Ndedo and

Irkiushioibor of first NEF donation (2020) water systems are now clustered with Ngabolo and Makame water systems from NEF’s second donation (2022, see here).

Water systems in both villages are fully functioning and well-maintained, and no interruption of service occurred during the year. The estimated positive impact on the environment through the reduction of CO2 emissions from both systems is of 528 tonnes over 20 years.

There are over 7,370 beneficiaries and average savings compared to previous average community energy expenses is of GBP 13,484 GBP per year.

Location: Tanzania

In 2020, NextEnergy Foundation began a partnership with Istituto Oikos (“Oikos”); together, we replaced two diesel water pumps with solar-powered water pumps in the rural villages of Ilkishbour and Ndedo, Kiteto District, Tanzania.

Following the success of this work, NextEnergy Foundation is supporting the development of another four solar-powered water pumps in the Kiteto and Simanjiro Districts of Tanzania: 2 in the rural village of Makame and one each in the rural villages of Ngabolo and Kimotorok. The villages were identified by Oikos because none of them previously had access to potable water – inhabitants walked up to 20km to access water which was often contaminated – and local communities identified this as a priority area.

This intervention will extend the aim to provide equitable and environmentally and economically sustainable water access to a further 15,250 rural inhabitants. This includes almost 2,000 children as well as the patients of the local medical clinics for whom good hygiene practices facilitated by clean water access are fundamental.

Most of the village inhabitants are agro-pastoralist. In Makame and Ngabolo, boreholes are being drilled to access the underlying aquifer. Instead, the hydrological studies undertaken by Oikos in Kimotorok found there is no aquifer which can guarantee acceptable water quantities and qualities for drinking use. As such, a protected well is being constructed to access water from the free surface aquifer that feeds the surrounding swamp and at the same time acts as a protected deposit.

All project interventions have been undertaken in consultation and collaboration with the village communities. The technical designs for the pumps were approved by the local communities and they are participating in the excavation works. In addition, a Community-Based Water Supply Organisation has been established in each village; they will be trained by locally-based Oikos staff and will be responsible for the technical and financial management of the solar-powered water pumps once operational. Oikos and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency will follow-up periodically and provide any additional training as necessary to guarantee the proper management of the pumps in the long-term.

First Annual Update December 2023: Oikos submitted the first of three annual reports tracking the long-term impacts of the four SPWPs.

Between January and December 2023, Oikos field staff continued the monitoring of the three villages’ water schemes and the coaching of the Community Based Water Supply Organisations (“CBWSOs”) on technical and financial management. This was conducted in collaboration with the Tanzanian Government’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (“RUWASA”).

RUWASA organised bi-annual meetings with CBWSOs representatives to further the formal training by District office experts. A new policy was put in place in order to make the management of water schemes more efficient: more water schemes were clustered under the same CBWSO led by a single, shared management team. Ngabolo and Makame water systems of are now clustered with the water systems in the Ndedo and Irkiushioibor villages which benefited from NEF’s 2020 donation.

Water systems in Kimotorok and Makame are fully functioning and well-maintained, and no interruption of service occurred during the year. The water system in the Makame Tayey sub-village was out of order for 3 days, whilst the one in Ngabolo was out of order for 10 days. Both wells were successfully fixed and are in operation again.

The total estimated positive impact on the environment is 335 tonnes of CO2 emission reductions over 20 years from all four systems. They are serving a total of 15,227 people and resulting in savings on average annual community energy expenses of GBP 8,530 GBP.

The Kimotorok system is exceeding the expected daily water pumping capacity. As such, the CBWSO and RUWASA are planning to invest in the coming year to extend the service to the southern part of the village to further the support to the local community.

Location: Tanzania

NexEnergy Foundation has supported Oikos’ WASH programme in rural parts of Tanzania aimed at replacing six diesel-powered water pumps with solar-powered ones in the Manyara Region, read more here.

In 2024 NextEnergy Foundation is supporting the installation of a solar-powered water pump in the Oltotoi sub-village and the rehabilitatation of a non-functioning borehole with a solar pump in the Narakauo village. Both villages were identified by Tanzania’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (“RUWASA”) as being in critical need of a sustainable water supply. This project will extend the geographical reach of social, economic and environmental benefits of NextEnergy Foundation in the region. The project will guarantee the sustainable supply of safe water to over 12,000 users.

Oltotoi: The intervention includes: solar pump installation; construction of shallow well protection and cover; grounding of pipeline; a storage tank (10m3); and a distribution point.

The community currently has to walk 7km to the nearest safe water supply and a primary school for 150 children was recently built and will benefit from the solar water pump.

Narakauo: The current diesel powered system has been mostly inoperative for several months due to a lack of funds for generator maintenance and diesel purchase. The intervention includes: solar pump installation and minor rehabilitation work on the existing borehole.

The project will be implemented in coordination with RUWASA involved from the early stage of the intervention to guarantee the sustainability of the initiative, and CBWSO (Community Based Water Supply Organization) in charge for the operation of the water schemes, involved in the installation works and trained by Oikos to ensure the appropriate maintenance of both solar pump systems.

July 2024 Update: The construction of the new water schemes is progressing and the completion is expected by the end of August 2024. Upon completion, the training for local technicians will commence, alongside monitoring the water system’s functionality.

Oltotoi: The starting of civil works for the new system in Oltotoi was postponed due to flooding in the Kimotorok swamp area due to heavy rainfall during the last rainy season. The road was recently reopened, enabling the delivery of construction materials and the kick-off of civil works this month. The installation of the PV system and the civil works are expected to be completed by the end of July and by the end of August 2024, respectivey.

Upon the completion of the Solar PV system installation, and subsequent training and monitoring, Oikos will officially hand over the infrastructure to RUWASA and the respective CBWSOs. The Oikos team, in coordination with RUWASA, will run continuous monitoring in the coming years.

Narakuao: The solar-pumping AC system in Narakauo village was installed at the end of May 2024. The community is now served by a 12.9kW solar-powered water pumping system and a gravity-fed distribution network, providing 110m3 of safe water per day. The staff of the CBWSO has successfully undergone training on basic operation and maintenance procedures.

The project outcomes will significantly enhance the living conditions of the total 12,000 inhabitants of the two villages (1,500 in Oltotoi and 10,500 in Narakauo) by:

  • Significantly reducing the distance between the water supply points and the community activity centers, significantly reducing the time spent fetching water. This will free up time for women to engage in other activities
  • Improve the sanitary conditions of the population
  • Provide direct access to clean water for the children at school (150 in Oltotoi sub-village and 1,376 in Narakauo village), which is crucial for maintaining good hygiene practices.

September 2024 Update: both water schemes have been successfully installed.

Oltotoi: all main infrastructure of the aqueduct has been completed:

  • photovoltaic system with solar pump in line with the well flow rate, with an estimated daily production of 15,000 to 20,000 litres)
  • raised storage tank with a capacity of 10 cubic meters
  • piping from the well to the cistern (approx. 1 km)
  • distribution pipes from the cistern to the drinking fountains (approx. 500 m in total)
  • 2 public drinking fountains each with two taps (they were placed according to community requests)

Currently, the system is already in operation. Following the final inspection by RUWASA, the management will be entrusted to the Community-Based Water Supply Organisation (CBWSO), already in charge of the maintenance of the plant serving the village center of Kimotorok.

Narakauo: the system is fully operating and producing about 100m3/day, serving approximately 10,500 inhabitants.

December 2024 Update:

Oltotoi: The solar water system is functioning properly producing between up to 400 m3 of water per month and the entire water production depends on solar power.

Narakauo: The solar water system is functioning properly up to 4,600 m3 of water per month according to the season and needs. The monthly water production shows that in most of the months the water scheme is powered entirely by solar power. Generator is used in the peak dry season to pump water in the night to provide water for livestock. The staff of the Community Based Water Supply Organization (CBWSO) have been trained on basic operation and maintenance procedures. Oikos team in coordination with RUWASA will carry out periodic monitoring in the following years.

Positive Impacts of the Project:

The project has significantly improved the living conditions of the 12,000 inhabitants of these villages. Specifically, thanks to the new water system:

  • The distance between water supply points and major community activity centers has been significantly reduced, positively impacting the time spent fetching water. This will allow women to devote their time to other activities.
  • The sanitary conditions of the population has improved and will keep improving.
  • Children at the schools (150 in the Oltotoi sub-village in Kimotorok and 1,376 in Narakauo village) now have direct access to clean water, which is fundamental for good hygiene practices.

Additionally, the solar pumping systems installed to operate the two new water schemes will minimize operation and maintenance costs and significantly contribute to the project’s sustainability. Both water systems are managed by the Community-Based Water Supply Organizations (CBWSOs) and are part of the same cluster. The RUWASA District Manager’s office will provide technical support to the CBWSOs, regulate the service, and monitor their performance.

 

Location: Tanzania

Istituto Oikos – Who they are and what they do:

Istituto Oikos (“Oikos”) is a non-profit organisation operating in Europe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, and Lebanon. Its mission is to safeguard biodiversity and promote the widespread adoption of sustainable lifestyles. Oikos envisions a future where ecology, economy, and equity are harmonised to meet both human and environmental needs. For over 20 years, Oikos has worked to protect natural resources through practical, effective solutions that empower and involve local communities.

Since 1996, Oikos has been active in Tanzania, primarily in the Arusha Region in the north of the country. In collaboration with local communities, authorities, international partners, and research institutions, Oikos develops, tests, and promotes strategies and technologies for the sustainable use of natural resources such as water, soil, and forests. The dual aim is to protect the environment while creating long-term economic opportunities for populations living below the poverty line.

In November 2019, Oikos launched a three-year project to strengthen WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) services in the Manyara Region of Tanzania. The initiative aimed to ensure equitable and economically sustainable access to rural water schemes across the Kiteto and Simanjiro Districts.

 

What NEF Does with Oikos:

NextEnergy Foundation (NEF) began its partnership with Oikos in 2020 and has since supported several initiatives. All intervention areas were identified by Oikos in coordination with Tanzania’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), focusing on communities in critical need of sustainable water access.

  • In 2020, NEF funded the replacement of two diesel-powered water pumps with solar-powered systems in the rural villages of Ilkishbour and Ndedo in Kiteto District.
  • In 2022, NEF supported the development of four additional solar-powered water pumps: two in Makame and one each in the villages of Ngabolo and Kimotorok, located in the Kiteto and Simanjiro Districts.
  • In 2024, NEF is supporting the installation of a solar-powered water pump in the Oltotoi sub-village and the rehabilitation of a non-functional borehole with a solar pump in Narakauo village.

In 2025, NEF is funding a new project launched by Oikos in collaboration with RUWASA. This initiative will install solar-powered water pumping systems in two rural villages—Kinachere and Oljoro No.5—both situated in the Manyara Region. These villages were selected based on infrastructure sustainability, the presence of active Community-Based Water Supply Organisations (CBWSOs), and the urgent need for improved water service delivery.

The project will directly benefit 5,864 residents, including over 1,000 students from local primary and secondary schools. A particular focus is placed on improving the lives of women, who traditionally bear the responsibility of water collection. By reducing this burden, the project enhances their quality of life and creates opportunities for education, income generation, and family care.

Each village will receive a solar pumping system equipped with a 7.5 kW submersible pump, 15 kW of solar panels, and smart control and monitoring systems. These systems are expected to operate for 8–9 hours per day, providing a reliable and cost-effective water supply. In Kinachere, the existing diesel generator will be retained as a backup, while in Oljoro No.5, the national grid connection will serve this role.

Community engagement is central to the project’s approach. Local CBWSOs will receive technical training and maintenance kits, and RUWASA will provide long-term oversight. Participatory management procedures will be developed to ensure local ownership and sustainability. Oikos engineers will monitor the systems during implementation, and their continued presence in the region will support follow-up activities.

The project is scheduled to run for six months, beginning in May 2025. Progress updates will be shared throughout the installation, training, and implementation phases, highlighting the positive impact as the project unfolds.