Terms of References

A. INTRODUCTION

1001fontaines is a French-registered non-profit organization that has been committed for over 20 years to ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water for underserved communities. While it is legally an NGO, it operates as a social enterprise, relying on an innovative decentralized service model designed to guarantee water quality at the point of use, particularly in contexts where populations face significant health risks related to unsafe drinking water. Today, 1001fontaines operates in Cambodia, Madagascar, Bangladesh, and soon Nepal, reaching over one million clients.

The model is based on the installation of locally anchored water purification units that treat available raw water to meet WHO standards. Safe drinking water is distributed in reusable 20-liter bottles and sold at an affordable price, ensuring both quality control and convenience for households.

Sustainability is central to 1001fontaines’ approach. Depending on the context, services are either implemented through the creation of a dedicated local entity or through strategic partnerships with existing local organizations. In both cases, 1001fontaines works to progressively strengthen the technical, operational, and managerial capacities of its local partners, enabling them to deploy and manage the service autonomously over time.

The economic model is hybrid: philanthropic funding typically supports initial capital expenditures and early-stage development, while water sales progressively cover operational costs, with the objective of reaching long-term financial viability. Governance and financial mechanisms are adapted to each national context and partnership structure.

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Deadline: 15 May 2026