Spotlight on the World’s Most Influential Projects in 2024: Empowering Sanitation Solutions in Latin America

This year, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has honored the Toilet Board Coalition’s Latin American Accelerator Cohort as one of its Most Influential Projects of 2024. Nearly half of the global population lacks safe sanitation access, making this initiative a critical step toward meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

Photo Credit: pmi.org

Latin American Accelerator Cohort Project

Led by Venugopal Gupta, the Toilet Board Coalition launched the Latin American Accelerator Cohort in 2023 in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and Water for People. This project is the Coalition’s first Accelerator program tailored specifically for Latin America, offering vital support to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sanitation sector. The Accelerator program aims to develop market-based, scalable sanitation solutions for communities across the region, while also producing educational resources in Spanish to address linguistic and cultural needs.

The project began by opening applications to sanitation-focused SMEs, expecting around 30 entries but receiving 45, underscoring the region’s readiness for sanitation innovation. After a rigorous selection process, three companies—Peru-based Brixsan and M & S Agroindustria, along with Honduras-based Servicios y Soluciones A & S—joined the inaugural cohort. Over a 10-month program, these companies received expert coaching, corporate mentorship, and access to potential investors, empowering them to expand their impact by addressing sanitation needs at scale. By transforming sanitation into a business opportunity, the project not only tackles public health concerns but also drives economic growth in Latin America, where the sanitation economy is valued at USD 19 billion.

The Role of Project Management in Driving Change

Effective project management has been fundamental to the success of the Latin American Accelerator Cohort. Through meticulous planning, resource allocation, and clear goal-setting, the Toilet Board Coalition has managed to harmonize the diverse needs of its stakeholders while maintaining the project’s focus and adaptability across different cultural landscapes. This structured approach ensures that innovative sanitation solutions reach underserved communities, while also enabling the SMEs to operate sustainably. By grounding the program in project management best practices, the Toilet Board Coalition maximizes its potential to make a lasting impact, proving that organized, purpose-driven project management can catalyze transformative change across regions in need.

Explore PMI’s 2024 Most Influential Projects to see how dedicated project management and collaboration are transforming lives and elevating communities worldwide:

https://www.pmi.org/most-influential-projects-2024 

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Source: https://www.pmi.org/most-influential-projects-2024/latam-accelerator-cohort