El Agua nos Une: international program for the efficient use of water in companies opens for applications
Six organizations will be selected and will have access to training and support for the development of water footprint studies.
The Center for Sustainability Studies (FGVces) of the São Paulo School of Business Administration has selected six companies to take part in the El Agua nos Une initiative, dedicated to promoting the efficient use of water in companies, using the water footprint as a management tool.
As in previous editions, the 2025 cycle will provide organizations with the following activities:
- Exclusive access to training and tools
- Diagnosis of the water footprint of the product and its value chain
- Participation in a Latin American network of companies and experts
Priority will be given to companies located in the state of São Paulo belonging to the following sectors: agriculture; food and beverages; energy; chemicals, textiles and pulp and paper. The tobacco, alcoholic beverages and weapons sectors are not eligible.
To apply, organizations must fill in this form and tell us how they work in the area of water management and why they want to take part in the initiative. Places will be filled until February 28. The activities will take place between March and December 2025.
In Brazil, the El Agua nos Une initiative is the result of a partnership between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (COSUDE) and the Getulio Vargas Foundation's Center for Sustainability Studies (FGVces). Since 2018, Aquapolo, Amanco Wavin, CBA, Klabin, Votorantim Cimentos and São Salvador Alimentos have participated.
The main objectives of the project in Brazil are:
- To enable Brazilian companies to assess, reduce and manage water impacts in their activities and in their value chains;
- Promote the efficient use of water in Brazilian companies and associated entities, by understanding the technique, developing studies of the water footprint of products and implementing reduction plans;
- Stimulate the participation and interest of public actors and actors in companies' value chains (customers, suppliers and users of the basin) in collective efforts and commitments to reduce the water footprint;
- Offer subsidies for decision-making by public actors in the context of the search for water efficiency and guaranteeing water quality;
- Generate knowledge, exchange information and experiences on the efficient use of water in Brazil with the other counterparts of the El Agua nos Une project in Latin America.
In return, the companies undertake to:
- Engage their teams to participate in and monitor the project's activities, including: training, technical visits, data collection, calculation of the water footprint, preparation of technical and accountability reports;
- Implement water footprint reduction plans, based on the diagnoses made by the project;
- Participate in debates and workshops, sharing their experiences and learning from other companies and experts.
There is no payment to COSUDE or FGVces, but there are costs associated with carrying out the project, such as travel and meals for employees to take part in events, training and workshops and hiring services to carry out the activities.
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