Lincoln South Rotarian contributions to The Rotary International Foundation assist with new Programs of Scale grant. Rotary is stepping up to challenges through Programs of Scale, a fairly new Foundation program awarding grants to Rotary clubs or districts with evidence-based interventions that are ready to scale.
From the Rotary Magazine:
Rotary has awarded its fourth annual Programs of Scale grant. It is in the amount of $2 million and was granted to Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India. The program will use rainwater collection systems such as check dams and ponds to increase groundwater tables by 10-15 percent each year, improving the livelihoods of more than 60,000 farmers in four states.
By increasing the availability of water, the five-year program will extend areas of cultivation by 20-30 percent. It will introduce drip irrigation and plant native species and fruit trees to reduce soil erosion on 4,113 hectares (more than 10,000 acres) of land. By helping offset the effects of climate change, it will lay the groundwork for generations of sustainable farming.
Previous Programs of Scale Grants:
United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt works to reduce the number of cervical cancer cases while improving women’s access to preventive care in and around Cairo. The four-year program includes a vaccination campaign, cancer screenings, and public awareness.
Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality by increasing access to high-quality health care in several areas of Nigeria. The program improves supply of health services by equipping health facilities and training health care workers and strengthens demand for health services through community dialogues and home visits.
Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia received the first Programs of Scale $2 million grant. this is a member-led program focused on fighting malaria. Co-funders World Vision U.S. and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are also involved in malaria mitigation efforts and will each contribute $2 million to the program. This $6 million program will train and equip 2,500 community health workers in Zambia to support the government’s work to eradicate malaria in Zambia.