Partnering for impact: Driving innovation and safe water access across Asia
Over 2 billion people worldwide don’t have access to safe clean drinking water. According to the World Health Organization, contaminated water causes 1.2 million deaths annually but thousand of organisations globally are working to tackle the challenge head on.
On this UN World Water Day 2025, Nexus for Development reflects on the work climate enterprises are doing across Southeast Asia to tackle the water crisis. We asked them, how our climate funding supported their growth and we celebrate their wins together.
KWSH: Expanding clean water access in Cambodia
“In 2019, the Pioneer Facility’s $500,000 loan came at a crucial growth stage, helping us expand infrastructure and bring clean water to underserved communities. Nexus for Development was key in scaling our impact and securing larger funding. Today, with nearly 600 km of pipelines and 25,000+ connections, we’re transforming lives across Cambodia.”
— William Puyo, General Manager at KWSH
KWSH delivered 3.4 billion liters of clean water in 2024, with 80% of customers gaining access to piped water for the first time and 92% reporting an improved quality of life, better heatlh, and less time spent collecting water.
TapEffect: Scaling clean water solutions
“For social enterprises like TapEffect, Nexus’ Pioneer Facility takes risks to support growth. Their $200,000 loan jumpstarted our piped water systems, bringing clean water to last-mile homes, schools, and clinics. With continued investment, we now serve nearly 5,000 rural households with affordable, high-quality tap water.”
— Nick Boerema, Founder at TapEffect
TapEffect is now bringing piped water to an area of 14,000 people, including 10 schools and 2 rural health centers in Cambodia.
Hydrologic Social Enterprise: Leveraging carbon for clean water
“Nexus for Development’s carbon finance expertise has helped sell credits from our ceramic water purifiers. Since 2010, over one million credits have been issued, supporting 400 million liters of clean water and cutting 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.”
— Sothea Sam, General Manager at Hydrologic Social Enterprise
Hydrologic Social Enterprise is transforming the lives of over 2 million Cambodians by providing access to clean, safe drinking water through locally produced ceramic water purifiers.
Nazava: Driving innovation through water purification in Indonesia
“Nexus for Development’s expertise streamlined our carbon project verification, simplifying water sampling and ensuring we received all due credits. Their loan provided valuable risk reduction, adding further impact. With deep technical knowledge and innovative support, we highly recommend Nexus for Development’s technical carbon services to any enterprise looking for experienced, innovative, and comprehensive support.”
— Lieselotte Heederik & Guido van Hofwegen, Directors and Co-Founders of Nazava
By the end of 2024, Nazava had directly impacted over 611,000 people in Indonesia by providing them with access to safe and clean drinking water.
TerraClear: Unlocking carbon financing for greater clean water impact in Laos
“Nexus for Development has expertly navigated us through the complexities of carbon financing and technical services, giving us the freedom to focus on our main mission. Their combination of personalized guidance and top-tier competence in market access and verification makes them an invaluable partner.”
— Jonathan Ringger, Director of Technology at TerraClear
TerraClear provides safe drinking water through the sale of 75,000+ ceramic filters, reaching 415,000+ people in 500+ Laos villages.
Scaling impact: Advancing global goals together
With our expertise in impact investing and carbon markets, we help navigate the complexities of climate funding, so organizations can focus on driving positive impact to communities and scaling their business.
Today, in celebration of UN World Water Day 2025, we are reminded of the urgent need to accelerate access to clean and safe drinking water, for marginalized communities.
Join us in creating a better future:
Is your enterprise working on clean water projects in Southeast Asia or Bangladesh? Let’s collaborate. Reach out and explore how we can help you scale your impact.