The Swiss Re Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to promoting care and concern for society and the environment. Launched in 2012 by global re/insurer Swiss Re, the Foundation aims to make people more resilient towards natural hazards, climate change, population growth, water scarcity and pandemics, along with other challenges to society's security, health and prosperity. It also supports community projects and employee volunteering in locations where Swiss Re has offices.
The International ReSource Award for resilience in water management is a prize acknowledging social entrepreneurial thinking and leadership in implementing the principles of sustainability in water management.
It recognises new approaches for resolving existing issues related to sustainable water management. The prize builds on more than ten years of experience in bestowing the recognised ReSource Award for sustainable watershed management. Every year, an international jury awards USD 150 000 to new social entrepreneurial initiatives driving sustainable water management practices. The award is one concrete initiative of how the Swiss Re Foundation contributes to the advancement of water resilience in low, lower-middle and upper–middle-income countries.
The International ReSource Award is worth a total of USD 150 000 in funds including non-financial contributions in the form of expert advice and coaching support to three finalists and the winner. The award is granted annually by an international jury. Launched in 2002, it is an internationally recognised prize for leadership in implementing the principles of sustainability in water management. As of 2015 the Award is designed to attract, select and support impact-focused social entrepreneurial initiatives to help their authors realise their ideas and concepts related to sustainable water management practices in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The International ReSource Award seeks to enhance resilience in water management. To this end, the ReSource Award actively supports social entrepreneurial initiatives addressing water-related challenges with new and innovative approaches. The ReSource Award focuses on social entrepreneurial approaches applied to water-related social and/or ecological issues. Examples include approaches that address sustainable access to, use and supply of water, sanitation and hygiene. The initiatives supported are either in the prototyping or scale-up phase. A robust business model defining the value proposition and revenue generation is required.
