About this project
In rural and flood-affected areas of Balochistan, Pakistan, getting safe drinking water is a daily challenge. The “Youth-Led Clean Water & Plastic-Free Villages Initiative” addresses the issues of water contamination and increasing plastic waste, which harm the health and environment of vulnerable communities. Guided by motivated young leaders, this project provides a community-based solution that is affordable, sustainable, and easy to replicate.
Every year, thousands of children in Pakistan die from preventable waterborne diseases caused by polluted drinking sources. This problem worsens with frequent natural disasters that damage water infrastructure. Families often rely on bottled water, leading to a surge in single-use plastics. Plastic bottles pollute rural areas, clog drains, harm farms, and eventually break down into microplastics that endanger ecosystems and human health.
Our initiative directly tackles these problems. We will provide 150 households, about 900 individuals, with safe drinking water for at least three years using durable “EveryWater” gravity filters. Each family will also receive a reusable container, which will replace thousands of plastic bottles that would otherwise be thrown away. These containers not only keep water clean but also promote sustainable habits through refilling.
Youth empowerment is central to this project. We will train twenty local youths as “Water & Environment Ambassadors.” They will learn about filter installation, community education, and environmental care. These ambassadors will lead monthly plastic collection drives, turning discarded bottles into useful household items, such as storage jars, funnels, and simple irrigation kits, during creative upcycling workshops. By linking water safety to waste reduction, we help local youth develop practical skills and a sense of responsibility for the environment, positioning them as role models in their communities.
Awareness campaigns using posters, radio broadcasts, and village meetings will promote behavior change around safe water handling and plastic-free practices. Educational workshops held in homes, schools, mosques, and community centers will focus on disease prevention and low-cost purification methods like solar disinfection. We will regularly monitor and gather feedback to assess water quality, plastic waste reduction, and health outcomes, ensuring continuous learning throughout the project.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 12, 13, and 15. As filters and educational materials serve as long-term resources, and as we explore business opportunities in plastic upcycling, sustainability becomes a core part of the project. Involving schools, local authorities, and NGOs ensures that we reach more people and maintain continuity.
In the end, this youth-led model offers three connected benefits: long-term access to safe drinking water, a significant cut in plastic waste, and increased youth leadership in health and environmental solutions. Made for easy scaling and quick replication, it helps build cleaner, safer villages across Pakistan while empowering young people to make a lasting difference.
Goals and Objectives
Goals
To provide ongoing access to safe drinking water for families in Balochistan who are underserved and affected by floods.
To significantly cut down on single-use plastic waste and encourage responsible water storage habits.
To develop local youth leadership in disaster preparedness and environmental care.
Objectives
Distribute water filters and reusable containers to 150 households, helping around 900 individuals.
Train 20 local youths as “Water & Environment Ambassadors” to lead installation, education, and monitoring activities.
Collect and recycle at least 300kg of plastic waste during the project.
Hold regular workshops in community spaces to raise awareness about hygiene and disease prevention.
Beneficiaries & Rationale
The main beneficiaries are families in the rural and flood-affected areas of Balochistan. They were chosen because of ongoing water safety issues and inadequate waste management infrastructure. These communities experience high rates of waterborne illnesses and are vulnerable to pollution from plastic waste created by disasters. By receiving reliable water purification resources and education, beneficiaries can expect better health, lower medical costs, and a cleaner environment.
Sustainability & Scalability
Youth leadership and hands-on training guarantee ongoing project impact even after funding stops. Recycling activities offer possibilities for local entrepreneurship, while educational resources remain available for future use. The straightforward, replicable model can be adapted in other communities facing similar problems, making expansion possible as new youth leaders and partners come on board.
Expected result
Specific
Safe water delivery: 150 households will receive durable filters and containers.
Plastic reduction: We will prevent at least 50,000 single-use bottles and collect or recycle at least 300 kg of plastic.
Measurable
We need to count the number of filters distributed, containers issued, bottles avoided, and kilograms of plastic collected and reused.
We will track participation rates in monthly clean-ups and workshops.
We will also monitor the number of reported cases of waterborne diseases before and after the intervention.
Achievable
The proven effectiveness of filters, which last over 3 years and do not need electricity, makes safe water access possible.
Targeting 20 youth leaders is realistic for local capacity building and keeps the group sizes manageable for activities.
Monthly clean-ups and workshops fit within our logistical and budget constraints.
Relevant
This project addresses serious public health and environmental issues that affect target communities, including immediate disease risks and ongoing plastic pollution.
It will also empower a new generation of local leaders who are essential for disaster response and climate action.
Time-Bound
We plan to complete all major activities, such as filter distribution, training, awareness workshops, and clean-ups, within 6 to 8 months.
We will document impact measures, like health improvements, waste reduction, and youth participation, every month and at the end of the project.
Monitoring Capacity
Impact Monitors, made up of youth team members, will record quantitative data on distribution, collection, and participation, along with qualitative feedback.
We will use community surveys and health records to analyze changes in disease trends and perceptions of water safety.
About me / organisation
Dr.Zoya Baig
Dr Zoya Baig is Academic Coordinator of Biology Section in AKHSS,K