Water Futures: Equity, Climate, and Community-Led Systems
Water is life — yet billions still lack reliable, safe access to it. As the climate crisis accelerates, water scarcity, flooding, and inequitable access are intensifying, threatening livelihoods, health, and ecosystems. From Indigenous stewardship of freshwater and biodiversity, to smallholder irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa, to citywide WASH partnerships, the path forward requires decentralized, community-led, and climate-smart solutions.
This session will explore how to value water not only as a resource, but as a driver of equity, resilience, and dignity. Together, we’ll ask: how can decentralized technologies, gender-inclusive approaches, and cross-sector partnerships ensure that water systems are sustainable, just, and resilient for all?
Speakers
Brian Bosire — Founder & CEO of UjuziKilimo, Kenyan tech entrepreneur driving AI/IoT solutions for agriculture, health, and inclusive growth.
Elizabeth Geoffroy — Senior Director, Global Strategic Partnerships at Dimagi.
Martin Fisher — CEO/Co-Founder of KickStart International, designing affordable irrigation pumps to help African farmers adapt to climate change.
Minhaj Chowdhury — CEO/Co-Founder of Drinkwell, clean water innovator recognized by UNICEF, Forbes 30U30, Echoing Green & Ashoka Fellow.
Carole Wanjau — Executive Director, Splash Africa at Splash International. Lawyer with 17+ years in business and development, leading with joy, belonging, teamwork, and impact.
Mica Miro — Engagement Director at Green Empowerment, spearheading fundraising and communications to expand community-driven renewable energy and clean water worldwide
What to Expect
Decentralized water systems – Explore innovations in smart metering, leak detection, and equitable distribution for both urban and rural contexts.
Community leadership – Highlight Indigenous and local stewardship of water and biodiversity, ensuring ownership and direct benefit.
Climate and water nexus – Discuss how water access, sanitation, and irrigation are central to adaptation, resilience, and food security.
Gender and equity – Examine how women and marginalized groups are driving entrepreneurship and resilience at the water–climate intersection.
Systems strengthening in WASH – Learn from models where governments integrate water and sanitation into education, data, and budgets for long-term sustainability.
Partnerships beyond the pipe – Consider how public–private utilities, philanthropy, and communities can extend safe drinking water to the most vulnerable.
Why Join?
Reframe water as an equity and dignity issue, not just infrastructure.
Gain insights into scalable models from Sub-Saharan Africa to South Asia.
Share strategies for financing, partnerships, and climate-smart systems.
Walk away with practical approaches to building community-led water resilience.
Who Should Attend?
Water and WASH practitioners, innovators, and policymakers.
Indigenous and community leaders driving local stewardship.
Funders and philanthropists supporting climate and equity agendas.
Anyone committed to ensuring equitable, sustainable access to water in a climate-constrained world.