Bridging communities through water and co-operation

This World Water Day (22^nd March 2024), Central Co-op are proudly reflecting on the strides made through our Malawi Partnership, particularly in collaboration with One Water and The One Foundation. Our dedication to uplifting communities in Malawi and beyond highlights our commitment to sustainable development and co-operation.

In 2022, Central Co-op launched the Co-operative International Trading Development Fund, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at lifting global communities out of poverty. Focused on countries where we can make the greatest difference, this fund supports local development programs, including water projects in Malawi. The initiative exemplifies our belief in the transformative power of co-operation.

Malawi, nestled in southeastern Africa, faces significant economic and environmental challenges. With agriculture at its core and the majority of its population residing in rural areas, Malawi grapples with poverty and vulnerability to climate change. Our Malawi Partnership addresses these issues head-on, empowering local producers and farmers while fostering sustainable development.

In our stores, Members and customers can find a range of products linked to Malawi, with a portion of the sales directly funding the work of the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives. These contributions strengthen local development programs and bolster trading capacity, creating a ripple effect of positive change within Malawian communities.

Sales of One Water through our Malawi Partnership generate additional funds directed to programs benefiting Malawian co-operative communities. This collaborative effort not only provides access to clean water but also supports sustainable solutions that uplift communities for generations to come.

One Water, an ethical hydration brand founded by Duncan Goose in 2004, has been dedicated to changing lives through access to safe, clean drinking water. Inspired by a powerful image of a young girl sitting next to a padlocked tap in Nairobi, Goose embarked on a mission to make a difference, one day at a time. Today, One Water has transformed the lives of over 5 million people, thanks to the support of partners like Central Co-op.

There are still 703 million people globally who lack access to safe, clean drinking water, including a shocking 115 million who still collect untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. For over 15 years, the Co-op Group and other UK co-operative Societies, including ourselves, have been steadfast supporters of The One Foundation, donating 3p per litre from sales of Co-op branded water.

This partnership has played a significant role in reaching the remarkable milestone of £30 million raised to support water projects worldwide - demonstrating the impact that businesses can have when they align with a shared purpose. To help us make a difference, choose change and choose Co-op water.

The funds raised by One Water and The One Foundation are making a tangible difference in communities across Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya. From implementing large-scale urban water systems to repairing handpumps in rural areas, these investments are creating sustainable solutions to ensure access to clean water for years to come.

On this World Water Day, let us celebrate the achievements of our Malawi Partnership and renew our commitment to co-operation, sustainability and community empowerment. Join us in raising a glass to celebrate £30 million raised for clean water projects and to toast to the continued success of initiatives like the Malawi Partnership. Together, we can make waves of change right across the globe.