We bring the solar technology. Communities bring the knowledge
That combination is why our infrastructure keeps running where others don't. Every phase always involves the community.
Our Approach
Building infrastructure that lasts isn't just engineering. It's listening, co-designing, co-funding, and handing over, so the community owns the result as much as we do.
Community Co-Ownership
Every phase is built with the community, from walking the land together to forming the Water Committee that governs the system permanently.
Community Financing
Communities co-fund up to 50% of project costs. After installation, a small monthly fee managed by the Water Committee, keeps the system running without external dependency.
Monitoring & Continuity
Water IQ monitors every system in real time. Our team and Water Committee conduct regular field visits to catch issues early. Every two years, a full quality control review ensures nothing is missed.
Learning & Local Capacity
Solar Champions, local women and men trained by us, operate and maintain the system independently. When we leave, the knowledge stays.
How long is the process?
Survey water conditions on-site with the community using mengalir.co data.
Calculate the design and budget together, making sure the solution fits community needs.
4 sessions to listen, decide, and sign the MoU together before anything is built.
These villages are our partners
Malaka
Timor Tengah Utara
Sumba Barat
Sumba Tengah
Manggarai Barat
Sumba Barat Daya
Questions we hear most often.
We use our water mapping platform, mengalir.co, to identify communities where access is most critical. Selection is based on severity of need, terrain conditions, and community readiness, including whether a local structure exists to sustain the system long-term. If you'd like to recommend a specific village, we welcome that too.
Reach out to us directly. We'll start with a conversation about your goals and timeline, then propose a project matched to your budget, with full documentation, transparent cost breakdowns, and regular updates throughout. Your contribution is also matched with community funds, so the impact goes further than a standard donation.
The cost varies depending on the village: terrain, distance to the water source, community size, and the infrastructure already in place all affect the final figure. On average it costs $17,000 USD. For further information, you can reach out and we'll put together a clear picture of what a project would look like, and what your contribution would cover.
We train local Solar Champions: community members who manage day-to-day operations and handle repairs independently. Our Water IQ monitoring system tracks performance in real time so issues are caught early. And we stay connected after handover. Communities aren't left alone when something goes wrong.
You can visit mengalir.co and click 'Report a village' that's enough to get started. We'll review it against our mapping data and follow up if it meets our criteria for the next project cycle. Community referrals have led to some of our most important deployments.
You can be a collaborator for the next village!
16 new villages are planned for 2026. Each one is waiting for a partner who believes the collaboration works.