ECO International is prepared to contribute anywhere in the world.
ECO International’s programs are always culturally respectful and apolitical. We partner with local governments or other non-governmental organizations to design and implement projects that broadly benefit the local community.
To read about the history of our engagement with communities in Russia, China, and Uganda click on the links at right.
For an overview ECO International’s programs in Russia, China, and Uganda see the Country Summaries below.
Russia
In Russia ECO International’s projects have widely varied. We started with collection and control of municipal solid waste (garbage) in the City of Khabarovsk and soon began working with territorial authorities to address hazardous waste management problems throughout Khabarovsk Krai. We led the City of Portland’s sister-city response to a chemical spill to the Amur River basin that threatened Khabarovsk’s drinking water supply. In the meantime ECO International has become a trusted advisor to City and Krai leadership throughout the Russian Far East.
China
In China ECO International has focused primarily on drinking water protection, at first responding to the May 12, 2016 Sichuan Province earthquake and afterward engaging with provincial environmental authorities to address risks associated with fresh water and sediment contamination in the Chengdu river basin. Our projects are entirely “environmental” in form and function, apolitical and consonant with China’s governmental systems. We identify and support local officials, and private citizens, who are genuinely committed to improving quality of life in their communities.
Uganda
ECO International was invited to Bugiri, Uganda following its work in China and Russia. It was hard to foresee what ECO International could contribute to a community still struggling with 19th century water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues. As it turned out, being there was the most important thing. ECO International worked with local officials to develop project proposals for rehabilitation of the local hospital drinking water supply and for creation of a locally controlled municipal drinking water system. The local hospital got its water thanks to funding from The Rotary Foundation. The greater municipal system was also rebuilt but not by the proposed Bugiri Municipal Water Company. Instead, the Ugandan National Water and Sewerage Company stepped in to neutralize the credible threat of an independent municipal system in Bugiri.