Emerging Opportunities for Sustainability (now COVA)
Changing Lives with Health Improving Technologies
Fast Facts
Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador
Jorge Fernandez
2017, 2018, 2019
Health, Job Skills
How Emerging Opportunities for Sustainability (EOS), Now COVA, is Making a Difference
EOS provided rural communities with low-cost technologies that generate income, improve health, and preserve and enhance the environment. Now, as COVA, the mission is to build successful partnerships to provide comprehensive safe drinking-water solutions to rural communities in Central America. COVA uses water-chlorination systems developed by former Project Redwood grantee, Compatible Technology International (CTI), now part of IDE Global.
Work of EOS, Now Cova
- As EOS, developed and distributed a safer, more effective oven alternative to open fires or traditional ovens.
- Installs locally-managed, low-cost, safe water systems in Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador to serve rural communities.
- Operates a “Circuit Rider” model where technical staff visit and support rural water systems to ensure sustainability and community capacity.
- Provides data collection, water-quality monitoring, and long-term technical assistance, building local infrastructure and ownership.
- Partners with local governments, non-government organizations and communities to scale safe water access and embed systems in existing networks.
Initiatives Supported by Project Redwood
2017: $20,000 to fund the installation of low-cost, safe, fuel-efficient ovens in Nicaragua, and to provide training to users. These ovens can be used to start up small bakeries.
2018: $25,000 to fund additional ovens and training.
2019: $25,000 to fund additional ovens and training.