Mission Statement
Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA) is a non-profit expert organization that was founded in 1997 by a network of urban planners, development experts, public institutions, private sector stakeholders, and other professionals. Its mission is to improve the living conditions of people in developing and emerging countries by promoting sustainable water and sanitation solutions. One of its core goals is to contribute to capacity building by making knowledge from Germany and worldwide available to partner countries.
Since 2008 BORDA is operating in Laos, and starting 2013, BORDA Laos has been cooperating with the Department of Housing and Urban Planning (DHUP), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT). Several towns and provinces have been facilitated to develop demonstration projects on polycentric integrated solutions including decentralized wastewater treatment solutions (DEWATS).The joint action plan of DHUP and BORDA Laos is to improve service provision of towns and cities on environmental health in schools, communities, hospitals, real estates and overall in cities and towns especially through capacity building including trainings focused on planning, construction, and the legal framework. Moreover, BORDA advocates on quality demands for construction supervision, operation and maintenance management, impact evaluations and progress monitoring.
Program Description
BORDA’s diverse portfolio of initiatives and projects includes:
- Municipal decentralized water-related services: BORDA promotes the use of decentralized water-related services to provide safe and reliable water supply to communities that lack access to centralized water infrastructure. BORDA has implemented decentralized water services projects in various countries.
- Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS): BORDA is a leading global expert in DEWATS, which provide sustainable sanitation solutions for communities that lack access to centralized sanitation infrastructure. DEWATS utilize natural processes to treat wastewater and produce reusable resources such as biogas, compost, and treated water. BORDA has implemented DEWATS projects in various countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
- Water-sensitive development of municipalities and neighborhoods: BORDA’s PolyUrbanWaters approach promotes water-sensitive development in urban areas, integrating water management into urban planning and design. This involves developing sustainable water and sanitation solutions that are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.
- Strengthening social structures: BORDA recognizes the importance of social structures in the success of sustainable water and sanitation solutions. The organization works to empower local communities by engaging with them, building their capacity, and strengthening their social structures.
- Communities: BORDA works with local communities to develop sustainable water and sanitation solutions that are appropriate for their specific needs and circumstances. BORDA’s community-based approach involves engaging with local stakeholders, including women, youth, and marginalized groups, to ensure that the solutions are socially and culturally acceptable.
- Governance and management schemes: BORDA recognize the importance of good governance and management for the successful implementation of sustainable water and sanitation solutions. The organization works to develop effective governance and management schemes, building the capacity of local institutions to manage water and sanitation infrastructure and services.
- Partnering with communities, cities, ministries, academia, professional networks: BORDA works closely with a range of partners, including communities, cities, ministries, academia, and professional networks. This collaborative approach enables BORDA to leverage local knowledge and resources, while also contributing to the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and technologies that promote sustainable water and sanitation solutions.
- Worldwide network of partner organizations: BORDA has established a global network of partner organizations, including utilities, civil society organizations, research institutions, and government agencies. This network enables BORDA to collaborate with local partners and leverage local knowledge and resources for the implementation of sustainable water and sanitation solutions.
- Cooperation with international organizations: BORDA collaborates with international organizations such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to advance sustainable water and sanitation solutions globally. Through these partnerships, BORDA contributes to the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and technologies that promote sustainable water and sanitation solutions.
- BORDA receives funding from various agencies, including BMZ, BMBF, BMGF, the State Government of Bremen, GGGI, and others.
Contact Details
Contact Person:
Mr. Bounchan KHAMPHILAYVONG Country Director:
Mr. Bounchan KHAMPHILAYVONG Address:
Nongnieng Village, Saysettha district, Vientiane Capital, LAO PDR