Engineers Without Borders USA’s (EWB-USA) International Community Program collaborates on more than 298 projects in 26 countries. These projects are driven by 161 chapters across the United States partnering directly with communities to meet their self-identified needs. Our approach to development is based on more than blueprints and measurements; it’s based on real relationships and multi-year partnerships with communities. Together, we are creating a world where communities lead, where resilience is built into every system, and where partnerships foster a future of hope, dignity, and strength.
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COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROJECTS
298 Projects
26 Countries
161 Chapters
EWB-USA’s commitment to our hundreds of partnering communities is founded upon the premise that community-driven projects result in long-lasting and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Throughout this partnership, we bring together volunteers and community members of all backgrounds and experience levels to promote educational and leadership opportunities not typically provided in traditional academic settings.
All International Community Program projects go through a robust project process overseen by EWB-USA’s staff of Program Engineers to ensure each community’s needs are optimally met. Through the collaborative work of our chapters, we are finding that our best outcomes are delivered through intentional, secure, long-term partnerships. We know these thoughtful, impactful, groundbreaking partnerships are being seeded and growing all over our network, and they have been fostered by you all, our dedicated volunteers.
We want to fuel the growth of our local partners, invite them to set their own country’s/region’s strategy and seek larger, more sustained funding sources together.
Impact & Outcomes
At the heart of EWB-USA's mission are the people in the communities where we partner, whose needs and aspirations shape each project. By improving essential infrastructure like access to clean water, education, and healthcare, these projects have a direct and lasting impact on their daily lives, fostering healthier, more sustainable futures.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for a community’s water, sanitation and other basic needs. The geographic, cultural and political fabric of each community we partner with is unique, which is why the engineering solutions are unique, too. We consider all of these variables to ensure the project is built to last.
We focus our technical assistance on six outcome areas:
Public Health
Through collaboration on infrastructure projects that decrease illness, promote access to health facilities, enhance quality of life, and improve mental health, Communities that partner with EWB-USA achieve public health and safety.
Economic Opportunities & Food Security
EWB-USA collaborates with communities to spur increased economic opportunity by boosting incomes, creating jobs, and improving access to food, all of which contribute to greater economic and environmental justice.
Climate adaptation
By collaborating with EWB-USA on climate-resilient infrastructure projects, communities gain a deeper understanding of regional and local climate change impacts, making them more adaptive to the challenges of a changing planet.
Education
Through collaboration with EWB-USA, communities see enhanced educational opportunities as infrastructure projects lead to higher attendance, safer school conditions, and improved learning spaces.
Gender Equality
Communities partnering with EWB-USA experience greater gender equality. Shared decision-making, increased access to economic and educational opportunities, and the removal of barriers pave the way for a more equitable future.
Leadership & Advocacy
Through collaboration with EWB-USA, communities cultivate stronger local leadership and autonomy. Organizing around local needs fosters cultural pride, community connections, and the confidence to advocate for lasting improvements.
PROJECT TYPES
WATER SUPPLY
Handle water sourcing, water storage and distribution, and treatment of water for communities.
CIVIL WORKS
Improves basic public infrastructure, like roads, drainage, and bridges for communities.
SANITATION
Provide sustainable waste solutions for communities, including latrines, gray water solutions, and handwashing facilities.
AGRICULTURE
Improves farming and production capabilities through irrigation and harvest processing systems.
ENERGY
Provide consistent, sustainable energy for communities, focusing on electricity and fuel sources.
STRUCTURES
Creates the foundation for communities to safely access healthcare, education, and more by constructing bridges and buildings.
ARE YOU A COMMUNITY
We accept applications form community-based organizations that have demostrated need in one or more of our six project types.
