Manchester City Football Club’s global community program, Cityzens Giving, and global water technology leader, Xylem are calling on football fans to vote for their top project as the Water Heroes Academy returns for a second year. From November 22 to December 5, fans from around the world can vote for one of five new football and water projects from young leaders working to tackle global water issues in Buenos Aires, Cape Coast, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, and Mexico City.
Young leaders involved in this year’s program are using the power of football to provide essential education on water, sanitation, and hygiene in a bid to tackle water challenges specific to their communities. Projects include improving access to safe water in underserved communities in Buenos Aires and Cape Coast, building flood-resilient communities in Mexico City and Kuala Lumpur, and advancing water sustainability education in Melbourne.
The top-voted project will win the opportunity for young leaders to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Etihad Stadium. There, they will learn more about water challenges and solutions, and receive further training on how they can help improve the health and well-being of young people in their communities. Each of the Water Heroes Academy projects will receive funding, educational tools, training, and mentoring from Xylem and Cityzens Giving, providing young leaders the resources needed to create their own unique programs going forward.
Projects include improving access to safe water in underserved communities in Buenos Aires and Cape Coast
The Water Heroes Academy is a joint initiative by Cityzens Giving and Xylem that aims to positively impact 20,000 young people over the next four years. Last year, the program engaged more than 75 young water leaders and delivered vital education to more than 6,000 young people in São Paulo, Mumbai, Cape Town, New York City, and Shanghai. Mumbai was the winning project, having received thousands of fan votes. Delivered in collaboration with Magic Bus India Foundation, the project aimed to improve local access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
“In my community, many children aren’t able to access clean water in school, which means they fall ill and can no longer attend class due to poor health,” said Varsha, a Young Leader from the Mumbai Team. “The opportunity to better the lives of people in my community through awareness and education motivates me. I’m incredibly proud to contribute to the development of my community and make a positive difference in the lives of young people through my experience with the Water Heroes Academy.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with Xylem to spotlight five more of our inspiring Water Heroes Academy projects around the world, celebrating our Cityzens Giving young leaders who are all making such an important impact in their local communities,” said Tom Pitchon, Global Foundation Director at City Football Group. “It was fantastic to welcome our Mumbai water heroes to Manchester last season, and we look forward to welcoming young leaders from the top-voted project this year, so vote now!”
“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Manchester City and the global network of young water leaders created through the Water Heroes Academy program,” said Randolf Waters, Senior Director of Global Partnerships & Branding at Xylem. “In spotlighting the work these incredible water leaders are doing locally, we hope to inspire more young people to get involved in tackling water issues and drive positive change on a global level. I encourage football fans to get behind our water heroes and vote for their favorite project.”
