SIINC for WASH: Innovative finance for water and sanitation

Social Impact Incentives for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

By receiving Social Impact Incentives (SIINCs) impact enterprises with time-limited payments are rewarded for achieving pre-defined and independently verified outcomes.

Enterprises can earn additional revenue and improve their profitability, which in turn helps them attract additional investment to scale. To be eligible for receiving SIINC, impact enterprises need to raise repayable investment in parallel. The nature of the investment round can vary (e.g. equity, debt, mezzanine, etc.).

While impact-linked finance is not entirely new to the water and sanitation sector, it has seen limited application in supporting social enterprises and market-based approaches. Additionally, it has not consistently incentivised sustainability or effectively leveraged private investments.

A comprehensive impact-linked finance programme

SIINC has a proven track record of successful implementation across different sectors in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Aqua for All has already equipped six enterprises with SIINCs, leveraging the successes, experiences and insights gained from the ILF for WASH programme.

If you are interested in investing in SIINC for WASH or in knowing more about this innovative financing programme, please contact us at ILF@aquaforall.org

What is SIINC?

SIINC for WASH is based on the SIINC funding instrument developed by Roots of Impact in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). SIINC has been already used in a variety of sectors, such as employment and education, health, agriculture and clean energy, in different geographical areas.

SIINC for WASH in practice

In August 2020, Aqua for All and Roots of Impact launched the first SIINC for WASH’s call for applications. It attracted 140 applications from 33 countries across Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Even though the initial plan was to finance two cases, four promising enterprises were selected. Aqua for All has allocated €1.2 million to fund the four enterprises for a period up to 36 months.

Read about the 2020 call for applications

SIINC for WASH leaflet

Download the leaflet (PDF)

FAQ on SIINC for WASH

Download the FAQ (PDF)

Enterprises receiving SIINC for WASH

aQysta: Water pumps for smallholder farmers

aQysta sells hydro-powered pumps directly to smallholder farmers using a pay-after-harvest model.

Read the interview with Pratap Thapa, CEO of aQysta.

KWSH: Clean, affordable water for Cambodian families

Khmer Water Supply Holding (KWSH) provides piped water services to (semi) rural households in Cambodia.

Read the interview with William Puyo, General Manager KWSH.

ATEC: Clean cooking and organic fertilisers

Farmers use ATEC Modern Biodigester to convert animal manure into organic fertiliser and biogas for clean cooking.

Read the interview with Nikolai Schwarz, Country Director Cambodia at ATEC.

SIINC for WASH: Innovative finance for water and sanitation - Aqua for All