Healthy freshwater systems are vital for sustaining all life, they are vital for flourishing and vibrant societies, but these systems are severely threatened by pollution, nature and biodiversity loss, and climate change.
The Community Action for Fresh Water (CAFW) is the flagship initiative of the strategic partnership between Rotary International (RI) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Announced in January 2024 (https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-unep-partnership), the initiative focuses on restoring, protecting, and monitoring freshwater ecosystems globally in response to escalating challenges such as pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation. Through this initiative, Rotary and Rotaract members work closely with their communities to protect, restore, and sustain freshwater ecosystems in alignment with the environment area of focus.
The CAFW initiative incorporates, learns from, and expands upon the success of Rotary members who have been protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems under the pilot program “Adopt a River for Sustainable Development” which began with UNEP and Rotary District 9212 (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan) in 2020 and has expanded worldwide. The partnership connects Rotary’s member resources and expertise mobilizing volunteers with the technical expertise from UNEP to make even more of a sustainable, long-term environmental impact. UNEP is the leading organization within the United Nations system in the field of the environment with the global mandate for the conservation, protection, enhancement, and support of nature and natural resources, including biological diversity.
Projects can focus on improving water quality, mitigating pollution, addressing water scarcity, removing invasive species, and conserving and rehabilitating ecosystems. Your plan can include activities that need different levels of expertise and engagement. Projects can start at any size, scope, and frequency. After you’ve developed a plan, register your project with ‘Community Action for Fresh Water’ or reach out to cafw@rotary.org with any questions.