Excellent accredited as a UN Civil Society Organisation

In September 2013, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) accredited Excellent Development as a Civil Society Organisation (CSO). Excellent was accredited for its work combating desertification - one of the world's most critical environmental challenges. UNCCD

As a UNCCD CSO, Excellent Development will play a key role at major UN conferences, providing a valuable link between dryland smallholder farmers and the convention. The UNCCD says: “They (CSOs) are indispensable partners for UN efforts at the country level, and they are consulted on UN policy and programme matters.”

"I like very much, not only the approach of sand dams, but I like the passion behind, I like the people behind. I really wish that we could do more in taking that technology, that approach, that understanding, among others."

Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary, UNCCD (2007-2013).

As a CSO, Excellent is promoting the value of sand dams as one of the range of solutions that can significantly contribute to sustainable land management in drylands. Excellent Development's former Executive Director Simon Maddrell said:

"There is no silver bullet solution (to desertification). Even technologies that work in one situation cannot be copied and pasted from one place to another. They must be applied to a specific context. The reason Excellent Development promote sand dams is because they are massively under-utilised and have the potential to transform millions of people's lives in drylands."

How sand dams can reverse desertification

Please donate what you can to help transform more lives with sand dams and clean water

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£15

could provide a farmer with drought-resistant seeds, so they can feed and support their family.

£30

could supply a community with a rake, gardening fork, shovel and watering cans, to plant trees for fruit, fuel and fodder

£60

could provide a roll of barbed wire to reinforce a sand dam, anchoring it to the bedrock.

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Latest

John Gives A Dam

I'm participating in the Kenya February 2020 expedition to provide water access to rural Kenyans, but more importantly, to give the women and children of the community closer access to quality water sources so they can spend more time on education, health care, and economic development. I'm excited for what should be a trip of a lifetime!
£108,285 raised in Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019!

Thanks to all who donated to our annual match-funding campaign!
Mark Retallack Kenya February 2020 expedition

I am going to Kenya in February to help build a sand dam it would be great to raise some extra funds for this and similar projects run by Excellent Development
The World Bank’s ‘Accelerating Poverty Reduction in Africa’ report and the scope of Excellent Development’s work

The World Bank has recently (October 19, 2019) published a new detailed study, titled ‘Accelerating Poverty Reduction in Africa’, that examines the various obstacles that still remain to fighting poverty on the continent. Among the wide range of suggestions and observations are a number that are extremely relevant to the work we do here at Excellent Development.

The World Bank’s ‘Accelerating Poverty Reduction in Africa’ report and the scope of Excellent Development’s work

The World Bank has recently (October 19, 2019) published a new detailed study, titled ‘Accelerating Poverty Reduction in Africa’, that examines the various obstacles that still remain to fighting poverty on the continent. Among the wide range of suggestions and observations are a number that are extremely relevant to the work we do here at Excellent Development.
‘Rapid intervention’ needed in South Africa and other water scarce areas

Water crises are becoming more and more frequent in countries such as South Africa. In the face of droughts and water shortages, Excellent's work becomes even more important in ensuring access to clean water for dryland areas.
Kenya’s push for clean water and Excellent Development’s commitment to drylands

As challenges continue to grow for those facing water scarcity in drylands, we take a look at how these challenges are being addressed in Kenya today and how we plan to support communities in achieving water security in the country.
Kick-starting sand dams in Malawi

In February 2019 we started a new programme, funded by Jersey Overseas Aid, to pilot sand dams in Malawi. According to our research there are no sand dams in Malawi, so this is a very exciting project where we hope to introduce sand dams into a completely new country.
90,000 litres of clean water pumped from one sand dam

Great news from the early stages of our water yield study.
Thank you for tuning in to our BBC Radio 4 Appeal!

Thank you to all to tuned in to our BBC Radio 4 to hear our sand dam expedition volunteer, Sarah Parker, speak about the impact of sand dams and how they're helping farmers like Josephine to transform their lives.
Sand dams offer a possible solution to climate change and drought in Somaliland

As the repercussions of climate change, drought and desertification get more dramatic than ever, we share what role sand dams can play.
Jobs at Excellent: Individual Giving Officer

We are recruiting!
Combating the effects of climate change with sand dams

As temperatures continue to rise and the effects of climate change become ever more dramatic, what part can sand dams play in protecting the world's poorest people? Excellent's Programmes Officer, Callum Sheehan, shares his thoughts.
Sand dams keeping the water flowing in Lekurruki

11 sand dams have been built since we starting working in northern Kenya in 2015. The impact has been dramatic says Callum Sheehan, Excellent's Programmes Officer.

What is a sand dam?
1 million sand dams for 0.5 billion people by 2040

Read about our plan to directly support other organisations to build sand dams, in turn, realising our vision to support millions of the world’s poorest people by helping them to transform their own lives through water and soil conservation in drylands.
Donate

Please donate what you can to transform lives with sand dams and clean water.
Zimbabwe (Partner: Dabane Trust)

Dabane Trust and Excellent are working together with rural communities in the semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe to develop simple, appropriate and sustainable water abstraction and food production systems.
Watch how sand dams work

Film explaining how sand dams work and their potential impact in the world's drylands
Sand dam manual

For everything you need to know about building sand dams, click here to read (and download for free!), Sand Dams: A Practical & Technical Manual.
The challenge

Find out what are drylands, why they are they are such harsh regions to live, how sand dams are applicable in drylands and what difference they can make to over 40% of the world's land surface.
Job opportunities
September 2018 sand dam expedition with Barclays Isle of Man

Barclays Isle of Man volunteers and community members share highlights from the construction of a sand dam they worked together to build in southeast Kenya in September 2018.
£108,285 raised in Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019!

Thanks to all who donated to our annual match-funding campaign!