Viva con Agua Grant

About this grant

The Eckenstein-Geigy Stiftung is an engaged grant-making foundation that empowers organizations and creative people to develop innovative solutions for urgent cultural, social, and ecological challenges. The foundation was established following the family's experience with their granddaughter Lucy, who had severe disabilities from birth, inspiring their commitment to supporting projects that enable people with disabilities to live dignified, self-determined lives and to promote inclusive society. The foundation supports projects addressing sustainable development, social equity, and independence with long-term societal impact. It works both locally in Basel and the surrounding region as well as internationally in areas where its values are shared. The foundation emphasizes partnership-based collaboration, personal accompaniment of projects, and responsible stewardship of resources.

Eligibility

Only organizations and institutions are eligible for support, not individuals. The foundation does not actively solicit applications but selectively reviews incoming requests. The foundation generally does not accept active grant inquiries and identifies its funding partners independently. Applications must be submitted electronically only; postal submissions cannot be processed. The foundation supports projects with convincing concepts, realistic budgets, and clear contributions to sustainable development. Eligible projects should be based on partnership collaboration and be open to personal accompaniment by the foundation. Projects should demonstrate the potential for long-term societal change and show sustainable perspectives beyond the funding period, as the foundation does not provide full financing but participates proportionally in projects.

How it's scored

The foundation evaluates projects based on the strength of their concept, realism of budget, clarity of contribution to sustainable development, and potential for long-term societal impact. The foundation values projects based on partnership collaboration and openness to personal accompaniment. Personal contact with project holders is central to the foundation's approach, and evaluation emphasizes the foundation's ability to engage in close, transparent cooperation. The foundation considers the sustainability and future viability of projects after funding ends.

Key requirements

• ✓Projects must focus on water access, supply, or sanitation in Nepal, Guatemala, Mozambique, Uganda, or Switzerland
• ✓Applicant must be a nonprofit, charity, social enterprise, or community-based organization
• ✓International development and community water security outcomes required

Recent past awardees

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

• Viva con Agua
• Projekt Gänserndorf
• UKBB Eckenstein-Geigy-Professur
• Aluna Móvil
• BaselCircular
• Verein Tanzhaus Basel
• Swiss TPH
• Educa Swiss

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Viva con Agua?

Eligibility covers organisations in NP, GT, MZ, UG, CH, GLOBAL-SOUTH; nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, 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.