Access to Essential Services in Emerging and Developing Countries Grant

About this grant

The SUEZ Foundation supports concrete projects in emerging and developing countries where SUEZ operates, aiming to help disadvantaged communities access essential services such as water, sanitation, hygiene and cleanliness on a lasting basis. Its stated mission is to improve people's living conditions and give them greater autonomy through jointly developed and sustainable initiatives. In France, the Foundation supports the just environmental transition and social inclusion, but this grant line concerns the international access-to-essential-services work. The Foundation works in three main ways on water and sanitation: supporting NGOs and charities working closely with local communities, supporting Aquassistance (an NGO run by SUEZ employees), and supporting the AgroParisTech-SUEZ Water for All Chair, which trains executives and managers of water and sanitation services in emerging or transition countries. In 2024 the Foundation launched two new forms of support: projects responding to regional problems and issues, and national projects. Its efforts are framed around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The page reports 687 projects supported since 2011 and 148 partners since 2011.

Eligibility

Support is directed at projects in emerging and developing countries where SUEZ operates, benefiting disadvantaged communities. The Foundation makes long-term commitments to charities and NGOs and encourages joint development approaches with partners. The page does not specify detailed organisation-type, legal-status, or stage requirements, nor an explicit application procedure beyond a reference to information needed before applying.

How it's scored

Projects are preselected by a prequalification committee and assessors, then decided by a Board of Directors (11 members, chaired by Stéphanie Cau) which defines strategy, adopts the budget and sets the activity calendar. The Board may also support projects outside the scope of calls for projects. No explicit scoring criteria or weightings are stated on the page.

Key requirements

• ✓Project must be located in an emerging or developing country where SUEZ operates
• ✓Primary beneficiaries must be disadvantaged communities
• ✓Project must deliver lasting access to water, sanitation, hygiene or cleanliness services
• ✓Concrete, implementable project with measurable outcomes

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• AgroParisTech · 2008
• Aquassistance · 1994
• RURA

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Access to Essential Services in Emerging and Developing Countries?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL-SOUTH, AFRICA, ASIA, LATAM; nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, local-authority, community-group. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Water funding covers supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment, water efficiency, catchment management and flood risk. A large share is public procurement for infrastructure and services, alongside grants for innovation and access in underserved areas. Bidders and applicants are typically assessed on technical capacity, operating experience and community impact.