MAD CHALLENGE

WHY THIS MATTERS

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THE NUMBERS. 

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THE NEED. 

GLOBALLY: There is a staggering 61% funding gap between the funds needed to achieve SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) and the funds allocated. With 103 countries unlikely to meet the Agenda 2030 implementation target, and countries with flushing infrastructure poring one of our most scarce resource,  water, down the drain - it is clear that there are no sustainable, scalable water and sanitation system. 

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A MAD SITE IN UGANDA, showing both a Specific and Systemic view: 

The Nebbi district in Northern Uganda is suffering from continuous cholera outbreaks, due to a lack of adequate sanitation and water facilities. Moreover, with 92% of households relying on subsistence farming as their main source of livelihood, they are particularly vulnerable for impact of climate change. A state of intersectional discrimination, and a situation they share with many similar regions, pointing towards systemic patterns and a bigger picture: 

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To unlock change - not impose it - we need to designing for, with and by the marginalized, and extreme environments, laying an inclusive foundation for scale. An integrated WASH system that shifts the passive end consumer to the active start producer, turning sanitation from an end state and cost  - which puts the financial burden on the poorest sector of society - to an initial investment. Ultimately, unlocking the intrinsic value of human waste as a base for a regenerative and net positive ecosystem and thus economy where the incentives are aligned to scale. 

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MAD AMBITION

WHAT WE ENVISION

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A SYSTEMIC SHIFT.

Incremental innovation won't solve exponential challenges. We need to leave behind legacy systems, in order to create new abundant ones that go far beyond the ability to sustain.

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Our MAD ambition is to unlock the intrinsic value of the 3.8 trillion litres of Toilet Resources (human waste) created each year (500 L p.p./a x 7.6 billion global population 2017). Through working with with a diverse constellation of sanitation actors across Uganda and Sweden we are developing a next generation ecosystem that aims to address this challenge through a community led pilot that: 

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1. Tests waterless container toilet units that do not penetrate the ground and thus reduces risk of water source contamination.

2. Develop a community-owned and led circular water and sanitation value system that transforms human waste into agricultural products such as fertilizer and briquettes, generating economic growth for the communities through entrepreneurship initiatives.

3. Explores innovative economic and finance models such as sewage epidemiology services (e.g. to detect early outbreaks of corona virus and other diseases), sanitation impact bonds, micro-finance and carbon offset credits as additional revenue streams.

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Fundamentally, by integrating these technologies into a regenerative model, we enable people (producers of this resource) to literally be paid-to-poop! Thus turning the currently dysfunctional water and sanitation system on its head - transforming the “money pit” into a revenue source.

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THE MAD EXPEDITION

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WHAT WE ARE DOING.  

Being MAD, we are convinced that a systemic shift requires disruptive innovation catalyzed by a thriving ecosystem of diverse and groundbreaking actors. Players that collectively ensures the development of cutting edge technology, abundant business models, next generation infrastructure, enabling policies and not the least: a shift in human behavior, culture and norms. In short, a holistic approach to water and sanitation that aims to address the social, environmental and economic components to build and test out a regenerative, net positive water and sanitation system. 

 

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OBJECTIVE. 

We are looking to solve the equation of delivering economic value at a community level, data insights at a municipal level and health innovations on a global scale - through realizing the dormant value in human waste. Opening up a market where each and everyone of us are potential producers. 

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DIRECT IMPACT: Through this project we aim to directly impact the lives of community members who will benefit directly from access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. Moreover, through establishing a tree nursery, entrepreneurial skills training and the recurring revenue from carbon offsets of the trees planted we seek to create a more resilient ecosystem system, with the potential to be net positive. 

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INDIRECT IMPACT: Providing an extra income for one person, can impact the lives of all those in the household (one average 7 people). By providing clean water, sanitation and climate resilient revenue generating opportunities in agriculture we aim to impact the lives of generations to come that will be able to farm the land and create livelihoods from entrepreneurial activities at the nexus of sanitation, water and agriculture. Through the selling of carbon credits we will also be providing the opportunity for people across the world to offset their carbon emissions each year.

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TIMELINE & SCOPE. 

An 18-month project that puts the MAD Ambition to the test in houses in the Swedish archipelago, as well as in Bwaise District Uganda, between May 2021 - November 2022. Having moved through successful testing in Sweden, we are now excited to focus on the co-creational process in Uganda. To find further details regarding the lessons learned from conducted testing as well as the evolution of the partner ecosystem, especially strengthened on the water technology and community driven innovation side - please see this Innovation Journey Report. 

 

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