WATER IS LIFE – THE VISION OF THE WELL:FAIR FOUNDATION 

Water is the foundation of all life. Yet, 771 million people worldwide still lack access to clean drinking water. Communities in rural East Africa, in particular, suffer from the devastating consequences. 

"Access to clean water is a fundamental human right," explains Neven Subotić, founder of the well:fair foundation. "Water is not only essential for the health of all people and living beings, but it is also the foundation for education and economic development. Every well and every sanitation facility helps improve the quality of life for thousands of people," Neven continues.  This is precisely where the foundation of the former professional footballer comes in: By constructing wells and sanitation facilities, communities gain access to clean water and hygienic conditions. As a result, children grow up healthy and can attend school instead of carrying up to 20 liters of water multiple times a day from distant water sources. Adults, in turn, gain valuable time to pursue work opportunities. This leads to lasting improvements in living conditions and new future prospects for entire communities. 

FROM VISION TO MOVEMENT 

It all began in 2012 when Neven first committed to building drinking water wells. What started as a small team of dedicated volunteers has grown into an organization with 15 full-time employees, 60 volunteers, and nearly 30 ambassadors. 

One of well:fair’s key strengths is its uncompromising promise: "Every donation goes 100% into the projects on the ground," says Neven proudly. Administrative costs are covered by the founder himself, as well as by corporate partners and sponsors. "For donors, this means security and the certainty that their help reaches exactly where it is most needed," Neven explains. In his view, this transparency is a crucial factor for many people when deciding to donate. 

EDUCATION AS A KEY COMPETENCE 

In addition to its commitment to clean drinking water, the well:fair foundation also supports various educational initiatives. Programs such as "Water Heroes" raise awareness among children, young people, and professionals about the importance of water justice. In turn, they carry the well:fair mission forward and help to spread awareness about global water scarcity and waste. 

By 2025, the foundation aimed to provide 300,000 people with access to clean drinking water—an ambitious goal that was proudly achieved as early as 2024. But this number is more than just a statistic: "It is our promise to change the lives of countless families," says Neven.  Find out more here: https://wellfair.ngo/