The Kyoto World Water Grand Prize is the prestige international award that recognizes grass-roots organizations of developing countries for their outstanding accomplishment in solving water issues to encourage the development of grass-roots activities.

During the closing ceremony of the 9th World Water Forum held in Dakar, Senegal, Pragati that was selected out of 50 applicants from 23 countries after careful screening in line with Kyoto’s tradition of “harmony between tradition and innovation”, received an award of 2,000,000 JPY from the representatives of the co-organizers and sponsors.

Their project has developed sustainable irrigated agriculture in the region and improved access to safe drinking water by using solar power. It was highly evaluated in terms of harmony between tradition and innovation, and sustainability that contribute to the development of culture and community and that their efforts at utilizing natural energy had contributed not only to the solution of water problems but also to the reduction of environmental impacts.

On behalf of the winning organization, Mr. Prabhakar Adhikari, Secretary of Pragati, India, delivered a thank-you speech. This was followed by a speech by Ms. Margret Nakato representing the Katosi Women Development Trust, Uganda that is the prize winner of the 2012 edition. She highlighted the importance of developing and sustaining grass-roots activities with a self-help approach.

Mr. Kazushi Hashimoto, Councilor of the Japan Water Forum and Dr. Asma El Kasmi, Vice-president of the World Water Council came up on the stage on behalf of the co-organizers of the prize and handed the prize board of  2,000,000 JPY to Mr. Prabhakar Adhikari, Secretary and Dr. Luna Panda, Executive Director of Pragati. Video messages of the Mayor of Kyoto City and CB Co., Ltd representing the sponsors were delivered.

Overview of the Kyoto World Water Grand Prize
The Kyoto World Water Grand Prize (“the Grand Prize”) is the prestige international award that recognizes grass-roots organizations of developing countries for their outstanding accomplishment in solving water issues to encourage the development of grass-roots activities. The Grand Prize was established in 2003 by the City of Kyoto and the World Water Council in commemoration of the 3rd World Water Forum held in the Lake Biwa and Yodo River Basin including Kyoto, Japan. Since then, the Grand Prize has been awarded at the time of the World Water Forum that is convened every three years. Since 2015, the Japan Water Forum has joined the organizers of the Grand Prize.

Overview of the Kyoto World Water Grand Prize 2022

Co-organizers: Kyoto City, the Japan Water Forum and the World Water Council

Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Sponsor

KAWAI SAKUSEN KOGYO CO., LTD

・Amount of the prize money: 2,000,000 JPY

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the sponsor companies that financially supported the prize, juries of the selection committee, and all applicants for the prize among others. We deeply appreciate your kind understanding and support.

　　

(Reported by Reiko Yoshi, Manager and Shigenori Asai, Director)