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A searchable database of over 200 International NGOs operating in China.
The material presented here was compliled mainly on the basis of information supplied (and / or published) by the organisations profiled. We have made every effort to ensure fairness and accuracy, but should make clear to readers that these are independent portraits, not 'authorised' biographies.
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The Blacksmith Institute
Mission: "To ensure that a clean and hospitable planet is accessible by future generations, regardless of their cultural or economic circumstances."
In China since: 2002
Annual China budget: $40,000
Number of staff: 1 national and expatriate
Mainland China contact:
Peter Hosking
Asia Programme Director
Tel: +61 3 9682 0200
Wang Leyan (王乐燕)
China Representative
Tel: +86 (0) 10 8482 0743
Activities in Other Countries:
Twelve countries in Africa and Asia
This organisation was established in 1999 by the Australian founder of an environmental consulting who wanted to provide practical assistance for poor communities that are directly affected by pollution. Unlike many international NGOs engaged in environmental issues, the Institute tackles specific, localised pollution problems rather than broad, eco-system protection or environmental policy. The name ‘Blacksmith’ was chosen to emphasise this practical approach, of the skilled worker who ‘in a dirty environment creates items that are practical, useful and can stand the test of time.’
The main thrust of the Institute’s work is the ‘Polluted Places’ programme. This identifies and cleans up local environments that have been contaminated to the extent that they present serious risks to human health. Examples include cities in Zambia and Siberia poisoned by lead mines and smelters, villages in India suffering contamination of groundwater by chemical factories, and gold-mining communities in Mozambique polluted with mercury. In each case, the Institute first finds a local ‘champion’ – which may be an NGO or a government agency – that is determined to remedy the problem. An international advisory panel of environmental and social science experts offers suggestions on remedial action. The Institute itself makes small grants to the local ‘champion’ for community interventions to publicise and reduce health risks – for example, by teaching local families simple ways to reduce the risk of lead poisoning to their children. The Institute and local champions also work together with polluters on strategies to reduce their emissions, and look for local and international funding for clean-up projects.
The Blacksmith Institute began to work in China in 2002. So far, its programme has been confined to support for three local initiatives:
- A study of illegal zinc-iron ore mining in Inner Mongolia and of effluents from a paper mill in Dongwu Banner, with follow-up advocacy activities around these issues, conducted by the NGO, Greener Beijing (绿色北京);
- A study of waste dumps in the area to be flooded by the Three Gorges dam, conducted by The Green Volunteer League of Chongqing (重庆市绿色志愿着联合会)
- A pilot project, implemented by Yunnan Environment Protection Bureau, to design wastewater and waste management strategies for a village on the shore of Kunming’s Lake Dianchi.
The Institute is currently concentrating on expansion of work in Russia and India, but it hopes in the future to identify appropriate ‘polluted places’ projects and partners in China, where it sees huge scope for work of this kind.
The Blacksmith Institute’s annual income is currently around USD 800,000. Most of this is provided in grants by foundations and official development assistance donors, but a considerable amount is provided by individual and corporate donors.
Links
http://www.blacksmithinstitute.org
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