Solidarity Fund for Access to Water and Sanitation in France

Deadline: 29-May-2026

The Solidarity Fund for Access to Water and Sanitation is a small international cooperation fund launched by the Strasbourg Eurometropolis, co‑implemented with the Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency. It supports projects that improve access to water and sanitation and promote sustainable water management in eligible partner regions, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

Semantic keywords: SDG 6, access to water and sanitation, Strasbourg Eurometropolis, Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency, international solidarity, NGO funding, water governance, sanitation projects, sustainable water management, co‑financing.

Key facts (at a glance)

Fund name: Solidarity Fund for Access to Water and Sanitation (Strasbourg Eurometropolis)
Annual budget: €50,000
Typical awards: fund supports 2–3 projects per year
Co‑financing partner: Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency
Priority applicants: international solidarity associations, NGOs, and municipalities in Strasbourg Eurometropolis; select NGOs in Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency territory; France‑based NGOs with international projects in eligible cooperation areas
Objective: support projects that advance SDG 6 without increasing local water tariffs
Payment and implementation: co‑financing and partnership-based project support

Purpose and objectives

Improve access to safe water and adequate sanitation in eligible partner territories.
Support sustainable water resource management and integrated water services.
Promote international solidarity and cooperation between local actors and partner communities.
Fund capacity building, infrastructure rehabilitation, hygiene/sanitation programs, and institutional cooperation.
Ensure projects do not increase water prices for local end-users.

Who is eligible?

Priority: international solidarity associations and NGOs based within the Strasbourg Eurometropolis territory.
Municipalities within the Strasbourg Eurometropolis.
NGOs and international solidarity associations based in the Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency jurisdiction (subject to geographic criteria).
France‑based NGOs with international activities that implement projects within the Eurometropolis’s cooperation areas or the Rhine‑Meuse Agency’s institutional cooperation zones.
Eligibility requires alignment with fund geographic criteria and SDG 6 objectives. Confirm exact applicant categories and documentation requirements in the official call.

What the fund supports (eligible activities)

Small-scale infrastructure or rehabilitation to improve water supply and sanitation access (where appropriate and sustainable).
Community water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs, including behavior change and education.
Technical assistance and capacity building for local water utilities, community associations, or municipal services.
Institutional cooperation and twinning projects between local actors and partner communities.
Projects that enhance sustainable water management: watershed protection, efficient water use, small storage, low‑tech water treatment (appropriate technology).
Monitoring, evaluation, and project planning activities tied to long‑term sustainability.

What is typically not supported

Projects that would increase water prices for local users.
Large-scale infrastructure requiring major capital beyond the fund’s capacity.
Activities outside the fund’s geographic scope or not aligned with SDG 6 priorities.
Projects without clear sustainability, maintenance, or local ownership plans.

Why it matters

Targets SDG 6: addresses freshwater and sanitation access gaps through focused international cooperation.
Leverages small grants catalytically: co‑financing and local partnerships multiply impact beyond the €50k annual budget.
Prioritises local actors: supports NGOs and municipalities connected to Strasbourg and Rhine‑Meuse networks, strengthening institutional ties.
Protects affordability: explicit rule that local water prices will not be driven up by funded projects.

How the programme works — step-by-step

Verify geographic and applicant eligibility
- Confirm that your organisation or municipality is within the Strasbourg Eurometropolis or Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency cooperation area, or that your international project fits the fund’s geographic criteria.
Define project aligned with SDG 6
- Create a concise project plan: objectives, activities, beneficiaries, sustainability/maintenance plan, timeline (usually 6–24 months depending on call rules), and expected outcomes tied to SDG 6 targets.
Prepare budget and co‑financing plan
- Prepare a realistic budget; the fund provides modest co‑financing and is best used alongside other funding or in-kind contributions.
- Show how the project will not increase local water tariffs.
Collect supporting documents
- Letters of local partnership, proof of legal status, technical studies (if relevant), and evidence of local beneficiary engagement.
Submit application when call opens
- Follow the official call for proposals format and deadlines published by Strasbourg Eurometropolis or the Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency.
Selection and contracting
- Projects are selected based on relevance to SDG 6, feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with geographic priorities. Co‑financing agreements or partnership contracts will be signed.
Implementation, monitoring, and reporting
- Implement project per agreed plan. Maintain records, monitor results, and submit required interim/final reports for verification and disbursement.

Project design guidance and measurable outcomes

Suggested KPIs:
- Number of people gaining access to safe water services.
- Number of sanitation facilities built/rehabilitated and users served.
- Volume of water saved or improved (kL) and reduction in contamination incidents.
- Number of local stakeholders trained and institutional partners strengthened.
- Hygiene behavior indicators (e.g., percentage increase in households practicing safe handwashing).
Sustainability checklist:
- Local ownership and governance structures in place.
- Maintenance plan and funding for upkeep.
- Environmental and social risk assessment completed.
- Clear exit strategy and capacity building for local actors.

Common mistakes and tips

Mistakes to avoid:
- Proposing capital‑intensive infrastructure that exceeds the fund’s scale.
- Weak sustainability or maintenance plans.
- Missing evidence of local partnership or beneficiary engagement.
- Lack of measurable indicators aligned with SDG 6.
Tips for stronger proposals:
- Emphasize capacity building, low‑cost appropriate technology, and local ownership.
- Provide a clear co‑financing plan and show how the grant leverages additional resources.
- Use measurable, time‑bound indicators tied to SDG 6 targets.
- Include letters of support from local authorities or water service providers.
- Prepare clear budget lines for monitoring and evaluation.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Who can apply to the Solidarity Fund?
- Priority applicants are international solidarity associations and NGOs based in the Strasbourg Eurometropolis, municipalities in the Eurometropolis, NGOs in the Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency area, and France‑based NGOs working in eligible international cooperation zones. Confirm specific eligibility in the official call.
How much funding is available per project?
- The annual fund is €50,000 and typically supports 2–3 projects per year. Individual award sizes vary depending on the selected projects and co‑financing arrangements.
What types of activities are funded?
- WASH projects, small-scale infrastructure rehabilitation, capacity building, institutional cooperation, sustainable water management measures, monitoring and evaluation—provided projects align with SDG 6 and sustainability criteria.
Do projects affect local water prices?
- No. The programme specifies that funded projects will not result in an increase in local water tariffs for users.
Is co‑financing required?
- The fund operates by co‑financing selected initiatives. Applicants should present a clear co‑financing plan (in‑kind, local funds, or other donor support) to strengthen proposals.
How are projects selected?
- Selection prioritises alignment with SDG 6, geographic eligibility, project feasibility, sustainability, local partnership, and capacity building potential. Detailed selection criteria are set out in the official call documents.
What reporting is required?
- Projects must submit monitoring and evaluation reports, financial documentation, and a final report demonstrating outcomes and sustainability. Exact reporting requirements are specified in the grant agreement.

Example project (AI‑friendly)

Title: Community WASH and Water Source Rehabilitation, Partner Region X
Objective: Restore two village boreholes, install handwashing stations in 6 schools, and train community water committees to manage services sustainably.
Activities: technical rehabilitation, hygiene education workshops, committee training, maintenance fund setup, baseline and endline surveys.
Budget: €22,000 total; request €15,000 co‑financing from multiple sources including a €7,000 contribution from municipality and €2,000 in‑kind local labour. (Note: illustrative—actual fund award sizes depend on annual budget.)
Outcomes: 3,500 people with improved water access, 6 schools with handwashing stations, functioning water committees with maintenance plans.

Conclusion

The Solidarity Fund for Access to Water and Sanitation is a focused international cooperation mechanism by Strasbourg Eurometropolis and the Rhine‑Meuse Water Agency that advances SDG 6 through small, high‑impact projects prioritising sustainability, local ownership, and affordability. Eligible organisations should design compact, co‑financed projects with clear sustainability plans, measurable SDG‑aligned outcomes, and strong local partnerships to maximize chances of selection.

For more information, visit Strasbourg.