Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.

International Riverfoundation is an Australian-based charity with a vision of a world in which all rivers and waterways are healthy and sustainably managed. To this end, Riverfoundation is dedicated to driving the restoration and sustainable management of rivers and waterways around the world, to ensure that they will be protected for generations to come.

Riverfoundation recognizes and rewards excellence in river and catchment management through the prestigious Riverprize. Since 1999, Riverfoundation has recognised over sixty river management organisations for their world-class achievements in restoring and managing their rivers for improved ecological, economic and social outcomes, and has rewarded twenty with the coveted Riverprize award, the prize pool for which has increased to AUD $550,000 annually.

Because Riverfoundation believes that the right knowledge generates action, it facilitates the sharing of practical expertise and scientific knowledge among river and catchment managers by supporting the annual International Riversymposium, and by enabling practitioners and researchers from the world's least developed countries to participate and engage with scientists, industry, government and community representatives.

To facilitate direct action on-the-ground, Riverfoundation encourages and supports the exchange of information and expertise between Riverprize alumni and river and catchment management groups in need, in partnerships referred to as Twinnings. Through Riverfoundation's innovative Twinning program, groups who have demonstrated excellence in restoring and sustainably managing their rivers and waterways work with others to build capacity, transfer skills, foster cultural exchange and improve community health, water quality and availability, on a global scale.

Currently, Riverfoundation is seeking to increase the level of financial support provided to our inspirational Twinning partners, who are working tirelessly in their efforts to improve the health of rivers and the ability of communities to manage them sustainably in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Gulf of Carpentaria (Australia), Kenya, Sakhalin Island (Russia) and Senegal. New partnerships are emerging for on-ground activities in Australia, South Africa, South America and South-Eastern Europe.

Twinning Case Study – Tweed-Kenya Mentoring Project

In Kenya, the Tweed Shire Council (Australia) has established a mentoring relationship with NGOs and youth groups in Kenya’s rural areas and informal people settlements. The Tweed-Kenya Mentoring Program is engaged in education and advocacy at a grass-roots level regarding water, sanitation and hygiene; training in catchment management practices; activation of youth environment clubs, and the establishment of SafeWater filtration units for rural communities.

You can find out more about International Riverfoundation and our work by visiting www.riverfoundation.org.au.