Engineers Without Borders USA’s (EWB-USA) International Community Program collaborates on more than 370 projects in 40 countries. These projects are driven by 233 chapters across the United States partnering directly with communities to meet their self-identified needs.
Our approach to development is based on more than blueprints and measurements; it’s based on real relationships and five-year partnerships with communities. We do more than build latrines for communities – we equip them to build and maintain latrines themselves.
Community-Driven Projects
EWB-USA’s commitment to our hundreds of partnering communities is founded upon the premise that community-driven projects result in long-lasting and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Throughout this partnership, we bring together volunteers and community members of all backgrounds and experience levels together to promote educational and leadership opportunities not typically provided in traditional academic settings.
All International Community Program projects go through a robust project process overseen by EWB-USA’s staff of Program Engineers to ensure each community’s needs are optimally met.
At every step in the project life cycle, EWB-USA reinforces the importance of health and safety with procedures that address risks inherent to global travel and implementing infrastructure projects in remote regions of the world.
Solutions
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for a community’s water, sanitation and other basic needs. The geographic, cultural and political fabric of each community we partner with is unique, which is why the engineering solutions are unique, too. We consider all of these variables to ensure the project is built to last.
We focus our technical assistance on six project types:
Water supply projects provide the source, storage, distribution and treatment of water for communities. Projects include wells, spring boxes, rainwater catchment systems, storage tanks and biosand filters.
Civil works projects improve basic public infrastructure for communities. Projects include roads, drainage, dams and erosion control.
Sanitation projects provide sustainable waste solutions for communities, including latrines and gray and black water systems.
Agriculture projects improve farming and production capabilities for communities. Projects range from irrigation systems to harvest processing.
Energy projects provide consistent, sustainable energy for communities, focusing on fuels (biofuels or cookstoves) and electricity (solar, water or grid power).
Structures projects, such as bridges and buildings, help build stable, strong foundations so communities can safely access healthcare, economic opportunities and education.
Are you a community interested in partnering with EWB-USA? We accept applications from community-based organizations that have a demonstrated need in one or more of our six project types. Apply today >>
Are you an EWB-USA chapter interested in collaborating with one of our partnering communities? Check out our adoptable ICP programs here.