AWS Collective Action Accelerator
AWS Collective Action Accelerator
(formerly the AWS Impact Accelerator)
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Collective Action Accelerator is a collaborative, place-based approach to water stewardship that brings multiple sites together to implement the AWS Standard at the same time helping to share costs, create peer support and maximise impact.
Over Phases 1 and 2, businesses build capacity and gain knowledge on the catchments they operate in, and translate that knowledge into action. Sites will then be ready to engage in collective action efforts and pursue certification against the AWS Standard. By bringing sites together, the AWS Collective Action Accelerator helps ignite water stewardship at scale throughout value chains.
We rebranded the AWS Collective Action Accelerator (formerly the AWS Impact Accelerator) on 04 November 2024 to better reflect the programme’s purpose and align with broader discussions in the water stewardship community on convergence for greater impact. To learn more, download our FAQ.
Locations of active and future AWS Collective Action Accelerators
If you are interested in learning more or joining an AWS Collective Action Accelerator in any of these locations, please get in touch with us using the form below.
Active
1. Dhaka, Bangladesh | With support from Primark & H&M Group.
2. Bengaluru, India | With support from AstraZeneca, Unilever, Primark, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages and others.
3. Chennai, India | With support from AstraZeneca, Gap Inc., Primark and others.
4. Huelva, Spain* | With support from EDEKA, Kaufland, S Group, Coop Trading, San Lucar and others.
5. Suzhou/Shanghai, China | With support from Boehringer Ingelheim, Cisco, Haleon, Primark, TCI Bio and Western Digital.
Scoping
6. Río Lerma/Guadalajara, Mexico
7. Mexico City & Veracruz, Mexico
8. Hyderabad, India
9. Nashik, India
10. Lahore, Pakistan
11. Shenzhen, Pearl River Catchment, China
12. Limpopo, South Africa
13. Murcia, Spain
14. Piura, Peru
* AWS is working in parallel with WRAP on water stewardship in Huelva, Spain. Learn more about the work of each organisation and how they intersect by downloading this paper.
Are you interested in learning more about the AWS Collective Action Accelerator?
Download our brochures below.
FAQ
Below are answers to some of our frequently asked questions.
How many days will the training and workshops take? Phase 1: We expect participating sites to spend up to three days in workshops and an additional three days in AWS Standard System Training. Sites will then spend some additional days working with experts to undertake their AWS gap analysis. Phase 2: We expect sites to spend one day with the consultant to finalise their water stewardship plan, two days to prepare and participate in stakeholder engagement workshops, and an additional two days to support the consultant with an evaluation. We also expect sites to spend a considerable amount of time implementing their water stewardship plan. The exact time for this will depend on the activities selected by the sites. Who will be involved locally in the Collective Action Accelerator? Water stewardship brings together all local stakeholders to work together to protect water resources. In addition to all participating sites, local governments and NGOs will also be able to participate. Who facilitates an AWS Collective Action Accelerator? In the locations where we have an AWS team member, we will facilitate the programme. Where we do not currently have staff, we collaborate with NGOs that are already working on water in the catchment. Does a site have to be nominated to participate? Typically brands nominate suppliers, but Collective Action Accelerators can be developed through a variety of methods. If you are interested in joining an AWS Collective Action Accelerator but have not been nominated, please get in touch with us to find out more about how you can participate. What if there is not an AWS Collective Action Accelerator in my location? AWS is open to scoping Collective Action Accelerators in any sourcing hub with variety of stakeholders where there is sufficient interest. Please reach out to us to learn more. What are the costs associated with an AWS Collective Action Accelerator? Typically, the majority of costs associated with Phase 1 of the AWS Collective Action Accelerator are covered by the companies who nominate sites to join the programme. More information can be provided upon request. Phase 2 costs are separate and can vary depending on location and industry. While we anticipate nominating companies to cover the costs of coordination and technical support in Phase 2, sites are expected to cover the cost of implementing water stewardship plans. Where can I learn more about the AWS Standard and certification? If you are interested in learning more or downloading the AWS Standard visit https://a4ws.org/the-aws-standard-2-0 If you are interested in learning more about the process of getting a site certified against the AWS Standard, visit https://a4ws.org/certification