Many rural areas lack access to safe drinking water, leading to health issues and economic challenges.

The Solar Powered Water Kiosk Model by 1001fontaines is a decentralized solution to provide safe drinking water in rural and peri-urban areas. Each kiosk is powered by solar energy and equipped with microfiltration and UV disinfection systems to ensure water safety. The model promotes sustainability, affordability, and autonomy through a micro-enterprise approach operated by trained local entrepreneurs.

The kiosks produce safe drinking water that is dispensed into reusable bottles, reducing plastic waste and promoting circular economy principles. The system includes support mechanisms such as the Social Entrepreneur Academy to train entrepreneurs in finance, operations, and water quality management.

About 20% of the water provided by the kiosks is offered free to schools, improving student health and attendance. The scalability and adaptability of the model make it replicable across different communities, addressing specific water needs effectively.

By avoiding CO₂ emissions from traditional boiling practices and generating jobs locally, the Solar Powered Water Kiosk Model contributes to environmental sustainability and community development. Mobile apps and monitoring tools ensure quality control and real-time impact tracking, guaranteeing sustainable access to safe water while empowering local communities.

• Solar-Powered: The kiosks are powered by solar energy, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and minimizing environmental impact.
• Purification Technology: Utilizes microfiltration and UV disinfection to ensure safe drinking water for communities.
• Community Empowerment: Trained local entrepreneurs operate the kiosks, promoting sustainability, affordability, and autonomy.
• Circular Economy: Reduces plastic waste by dispensing water into reusable bottles and generates jobs locally.
• Impact Monitoring: Mobile apps and monitoring tools enable quality control and real-time impact tracking for sustainability.

1001fontaines is a French NGO that empowers vulnerable communities by providing sustainable access to safe drinking water through a social entrepreneurship model. Founded in 2004, the organization designs and deploys solar-powered micro water kiosks operated by local entrepreneurs, producing and distributing clean water in refillable 20-liter containers. Beneficiaries receive water at affordable prices, while about 20% of production is distributed free in schools. Over the years, 1001fontaines has reached more than 1 million daily consumers, including hundreds of thousands of children, across Cambodia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The initiative improves public health, boosts education, creates local jobs, and reduces plastic waste and CO₂ emissions—delivering a resilient and impactful response to water insecurity.