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About us

About us

Our Vision

SWIM works for a world in which every person has unconditional, conflict-free access to water and sanitation.

As a result, we seek to develop into a leading institution that consults water sector actors in decision-making processes to form conflict resilient, effective, and sustainable water management and utilization schemes on all scales of implementation.

Our Mission

Access to water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and sets the foundation of socio-economic development as well as food and energy production, healthy ecosystems and national security. Water is vital for human survival.

In the wake of globalization, a growing population, and shifting climates, water supply obstacles are increasing. SWIM is dedicated to helping overcome these obstacles through optimized and problem-oriented water management approaches and prevention of potential conflicts between stakeholders or nation-states.

What We Do

Complex interdependencies characterize water challenges. We recognize that effective solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research. Therefore, we integrate multi-dimensional knowledge and approaches from many disciplines, involve actors with a stake in the process, and identify feasible long-term solutions.

We work with policymakers, civil society, academic institutions and conflict actors to transform water related conflicts and therefore promote the realisation of all human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SWIM offers a variety of services ranging from interdisciplinary research, strategic policy analysis, advice and consulting in international, national and regional water governance, water management and water policy. SWIM has a strong focus on the interdisciplinary connection of technical, spatial geographical data with social science, politics and demographics.

Our expert analysts and researchers engage directly with all actors on the field, share multiple perspectives and propose sustainable policy solutions.

Further, we publish comprehensive reports and precise analysis to facilitate decision-making and raise awareness for overlooked aspects which threaten water security and peace.

SWIM has a strong focus on the interdisciplinary connection of technical, spatial geographical data with social science, politics and demographics. The consideration of both aspects allows SWIM to identify best-practice approaches such as adaptation measures for uncertain variabilities before they occur and thus help to prevent conflicts.

Our Services

Our services are appropriate for both cases, before the conflict arises and in the cases of existing conflicts. We believe that tensions over water resources, despite changing environmental and socio-economic boundary conditions, can be a driver for cooperation rather than conflict. Moreover, SWIM seeks to identify and implement approaches for water conflict prevention to warrant regional and national security as well as the safe implementation of the SDGs.

In short, we work to support:

  • Safe access to clean water and sanitation as human right
  • National and regional stability and security
  • Cooperation and peace between conflicting actors
  • Water poverty reduction
  • Increase in water use efficiency

In short, we work to support:

– Safe access to clean water and sanitation as human right
– National and regional stability and security
– Cooperation and peace between conflicting actors
– Water poverty reduction
– Increase in water use efficiency

Who We Are

Sara Paola Ramos Rodríguez
CFO and Researcher
sara.ramos@swimsolutions.org

Sara is an experienced professional with a background in Environmental Engineering and a master’s degree in Hydro Sciences and Engineering. Over eight years of experience, she has worked on environmental management, environmental impact assessment and compliance with environmental legal requirements in the private sector. After working on water use and management, her interests gradually shifted towards water governance. As co-founder of SWIM (Solutions for Water Integrity and Management), she works on projects and research to improve water governance, with a special interest in fighting corruption in the water and sanitation sector. In addition, being a founding member of an environmental consulting company in Colombia and a youth organisation like SWIM allowed her to develop strong leadership and project management skills.

Dominique Schmachtel
CEO and Researcher
dominique.schmachtel@swimsolutions.org

Dominique is an Environmental Scientist with a strong emphasis on Transboundary Water Management and inclusive Water Governance. She supports multi-dimensional and transdisciplinary research and cooperation and gained experiences in both, national and international organizations, always focusing on Water Resources Management by using stakeholder involvement as a key element. Living temporarily in countries with predominating water shortages and uprising conflicts, her interests are now prioritized in finding solution options to combat the primary sources for those and to turn her gained knowledge into practice.