The SEED Program

Since 2003, the ESW National Office has coordinated the Summer Engineering Experience in Development (SEED) Program, which provides opportunities for engineering students and professionals to volunteer on sustainable development projects over the summer. Over the years, the SEED Program has supported projects in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. SEED volunteers are typically placed on 8- to 10-week technical volunteer assignments in developing countries.

ESW SEED projects are characterized by the following:

Focus on providing sustainable access to basic resources.
Address problems for which engineering and technical knowledge is required.
Engage local organizations that have the technical capacity to be partners in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of a project.
Harness the skills of responsible, reliable and technically-sound volunteers and staff.
Result in locally appropriate and sustainable solutions.

Possible Service Opportunities through SEED Program for Summer 2009

Partner Organization(s)	Project Location	Project Title(s)
Sustainable Sciences Institute	Nicaragua	ICT for Health
Uganda Village Project	Uganda	Improving Safe Water Access, Point-of-Use Disinfection, and Household Water Storage in Rural Uganda
UC - Berkeley; Haath Mein Sehat	Mumbai and Hubli, India	Health, Hygiene, and Safe Drinking Water Project
Green Empowerment; Asofenix	Nicaragua	Community Development Through Renewable Energy in Central Nicaragua
University of St. Thomas; Dodoma Christian Medical Center	Dodoma, Tanzania	DCMC Biodiesel Creation DCMC Leed Certified Building
Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (Mexico)	Chiapas, Mexico	Implementing Soil and Water Conservation Practices

To learn more about becoming involved in the SEED Program, please select one of the following:

Information for SEED Volunteer Applicants, including application materials and deadlines.

Information for NGO Partners, ESW Professionals & Chapters, including details on starting a project and deadlines.

Initiatives