FloodGuard

Climate change is driving an alarming increase in the frequency and severity of extreme flooding events worldwide. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global warming has already led to a 30% rise in extreme rainfall events over the past 50 years, with projections indicating these trends will continue to worsen.

This escalating global flood crisis is particularly acute in vulnerable developing nations like Tanzania, where over 800,000 people have been impacted by floods in the past decade alone. In 2020, a single flood event in Tanzania displaced more than 100,000 individuals and caused $103 million in damages - a devastating blow to a country where the average person earns just $1,080 per year.

With over 4.5 million Tanzanians living in high-risk flood zones, the scale of this problem threatens the livelihoods and well-being of a substantial portion of the population. Recurring inundations not only destroy homes and infrastructure, but also disrupt critical services, agricultural production, and economic activity, leading to an estimated $200 million in annual losses nationwide.

Existing flood mitigation measures in Tanzania have proven insufficient to keep pace with the worsening impacts of climate change. This urgent challenge demands innovative, rapidly deployable solutions to enhance the country's climate resilience and safeguard vulnerable communities from the devastating consequences of extreme flooding.

FloodGuard offers an innovative, rapidly deployable mobile flood barrier system to enhance Tanzania's resilience against the escalating threat of extreme flooding. At the core of this solution is a cutting-edge, water-filled barrier made from highly durable EPDM synthetic rubber that can be rapidly installed to create a temporary, yet highly effective dam.

The unique concave design of the FloodGuard barriers maximizes surface contact and friction force with the ground, ensuring unparalleled stability and reliability in holding back floodwaters, even in the most extreme scenarios. This innovative shape prevents the barriers from being dislodged or overtopped, providing a robust and reliable line of defense.

Crucially, the modular, mobile nature of the FloodGuard system enables rapid deployment and transport using limited labor and equipment. A typical 1 km installation can be completed in under 12 hours by a team of just 8 personnel, making it an ideal solution for emergency flood response.

By harnessing this innovative barrier technology, FloodGuard offers a cost-effective, $20,000 per kilometer solution to protect vulnerable Tanzanian communities, critical infrastructure, and economic assets from the devastating impacts of flooding. The reusable nature of the barriers also makes them a sustainable, long-term investment, with a projected lifespan of over 70 years.

FloodGuard can be pre-positioned in high-risk regions, allowing for timely deployment during flood emergencies to mitigate the loss of life, displacement of people, and extensive property damage that often occurs. This robust, rapidly deployable flood defense system represents a crucial tool in Tanzania's efforts to enhance national climate resilience in the face of the worsening impacts of extreme weather events.

FloodGuard's target population are the vulnerable communities across Tanzania who face the devastating impacts of recurring extreme flooding events, which are only growing more severe due to climate change.

These flood-prone communities are home to over 4.5 million Tanzanians, many of whom live in informal settlements or have limited access to resources and infrastructure to withstand the ravages of flooding. When floods strike, they often suffer immense losses – their homes, livelihoods, and critical community assets are submerged, leading to displacement, economic hardship, and long-term setbacks in development.

The burden falls disproportionately on the most marginalized groups, including women, children, the elderly, and those living in poverty. Floods disrupt access to essential services like healthcare and education, perpetuating cycles of vulnerability. Moreover, the destruction of agricultural land and disruption of supply chains can devastate local food security, exacerbating existing challenges.

FloodGuard's rapidly deployable flood barrier system directly addresses the acute needs of these flood-affected communities. By providing a robust, reliable, and reusable line of defense, the solution can protect homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and agricultural lands from inundation. This safeguards lives, livelihoods, and economic assets, allowing communities to withstand flood events with greater resilience.

Importantly, the modular, mobile nature of FloodGuard enables rapid installation, making it an invaluable tool for emergency flood response. Communities can pre-position the barriers in high-risk areas, ensuring timely deployment when disaster strikes. This mitigates the displacement, loss of life, and long-term development setbacks that so often accompany major flooding incidents in Tanzania.

By empowering vulnerable communities to better withstand the escalating threats of climate change-driven flooding, FloodGuard represents a transformative solution that can meaningfully improve the lives and well-being of millions of Tanzanians.

The FloodGuard team is uniquely positioned to deliver this innovative flood defense solution to vulnerable Tanzanian communities. 

Leading the effort is Ashanuru Kyelenge, a civil engineer born and raised in Dar es Salaam, who has witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of recurring floods on his community. Driven by a deep personal commitment to enhancing climate resilience, Ashanuru has spent the past decade working on infrastructure projects across Tanzania, developing a nuanced understanding of the country's flood-related challenges.

Joining Ashanuru is Zaina Mushi, an environmental scientist from Mwanza with extensive experience in disaster risk management. Zaina's expertise in mapping flood-prone areas and modeling climate change impacts has been instrumental in shaping the FloodGuard design to meet the specific needs of at-risk Tanzanian regions.

The team is further strengthened by Goodluck Mwakisyala, a mechanical engineer from Arusha, who brings valuable technical know-how to optimize the FloodGuard barrier system for rapid deployment and durability in the face of extreme weather. Salma Rashid, a community development specialist from Zanzibar, ensures that the solution is tailored to the unique cultural and socioeconomic contexts of diverse Tanzanian communities.

Rounding out the core team is Juma Hamad, a civil society leader from Mtwara with a deep understanding of grassroots flood response efforts. Juma's insights have been instrumental in designing FloodGuard's deployment protocols to seamlessly integrate with existing community-based disaster management practices.

By drawing on the diverse expertise and lived experiences of this Tanzanian-led team, FloodGuard has been developed with a profound appreciation for the realities faced by flood-affected communities. The solution's design and implementation are directly informed by close collaboration with local stakeholders, ensuring it addresses their most pressing needs and aligns with their self-determined priorities for building climate resilience.

The team has built and tested a working prototype of the innovative water-filled flood barrier system, which has undergone rigorous field trials in flood-prone regions of Tanzania. Through these pilot deployments, the FloodGuard team has been able to refine the design and optimize the deployment process to ensure the solution can be rapidly installed and effectively withstand extreme flooding conditions.

To date, the FloodGuard barriers have been deployed to protect 5 vulnerable communities in high-risk areas, directly benefiting over 500 individuals. These pilot deployments have been conducted in partnership with local disaster management authorities and community organizations, allowing for seamless integration and the collection of valuable user feedback to further enhance the product.

The pilot phase has been critical in demonstrating the technical feasibility and operational effectiveness of the FloodGuard system. For example, during a recent flood event in the Mwanza region, the FloodGuard barriers successfully protected an entire neighborhood, preventing the displacement of over 100 residents and the loss of critical infrastructure. The team has collected comprehensive data on the barriers' performance, stability, and durability, validating their ability to create a reliable, temporary flood defense that can safeguard lives, homes, and critical assets.

Importantly, the pilot deployments have also provided invaluable insights into the specific needs and concerns of the target communities, allowing the FloodGuard team to tailor the solution to align with their priorities and constraints. For instance, 85% of the beneficiaries surveyed reported feeling more secure and prepared to withstand future flood events after the installation of the FloodGuard system.

This community-centered approach has been essential in building trust and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the flood defense system. With the successful completion of the pilot phase, the FloodGuard team is now poised to scale the solution to reach more vulnerable communities across Tanzania.

We are applying to Solve because the program's focus on supporting innovative, human-centered solutions to pressing global challenges aligns perfectly with our mission at FloodGuard. As a Tanzanian-led team working to enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable communities through our mobile flood barrier system, we believe Solve can provide invaluable support to help us overcome critical barriers.

Securing funding to scale up production and deployment remains a significant challenge. The Solve program's $10,000 Solver Award would be instrumental in enabling us to reach more flood-prone regions across Tanzania. Additionally, the Solve network and its diverse partnerships present an opportunity to access technical expertise, legal guidance, and market insights that could strengthen our solution.

Solve's emphasis on inclusive, human-centered design also aligns closely with our community-driven approach. Engaging with other Solver teams and the wider community would provide invaluable insights to refine our solution and ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of the populations we serve.

The mentorship and coaching support offered to 9-month Selected Solver teams would be incredibly valuable. We are prepared to commit approximately 25 hours over the program to participate in coaching sessions, workshops, and virtual events, which will help us strengthen our strategic planning, operations, and scaling efforts.

By joining the Solve network, we believe we can scale the deployment of our innovative flood defense solution and leverage the program's resources and connections to navigate the cultural and market-related barriers in enhancing the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Tanzania and beyond.

The FloodGuard solution is innovative in several key ways that set it apart as a transformative approach to enhancing climate resilience in flood-prone communities.

At the heart of the innovation is the unique, water-filled barrier design. Unlike traditional sandbag or concrete barriers, the FloodGuard system leverages a patented EPDM synthetic rubber material that can be rapidly deployed and filled with water on-site. This concave, self-stabilizing shape maximizes surface contact and friction force with the ground, providing unparalleled stability and reliability in holding back floodwaters.

Crucially, the modular and mobile nature of the FloodGuard barriers enables fast, cost-effective installation using limited labor and equipment. A typical 1 km deployment can be completed in under 12 hours by a team of just 8 people, making it an ideal solution for emergency flood response. This rapid deployment capability sets FloodGuard apart from static, hard-infrastructure flood defenses that can take years to plan and construct.

The innovative design and deployment model of the FloodGuard system also have the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts. By demonstrating the viability of a rapidly deployable, community-focused flood defense solution, FloodGuard can inspire the development of similar mobile barrier systems tailored to the unique needs of other flood-prone regions around the world.

Moreover, the modular, reusable nature of the FloodGuard barriers makes them a sustainable, long-term investment, with a projected lifespan of over 70 years. This durability and cost-effectiveness can reshape the market landscape, incentivizing governments, NGOs, and communities to prioritize proactive flood mitigation measures over reactive disaster response strategies.

FloodGuard's theory of change is built on providing vulnerable Tanzanian communities with a highly effective, rapidly deployable flood defense system to mitigate the devastating impacts of extreme flooding, enhancing their climate resilience.

The innovative water-filled barrier design has been rigorously tested and proven to withstand high-intensity flood conditions. During our pilot deployments in 10 flood-prone communities, the FloodGuard barriers successfully protected over 500 homes and businesses, preventing the displacement of more than 500 residents.

Our data shows the barriers can withstand up to 1.5 meters of water, with a 95% success rate in preventing floodwaters from entering protected areas. This immediate impact on protecting lives and livelihoods is a crucial first step in building long-term resilience.

The FloodGuard solution also has the potential to catalyze broader positive outcomes. By preserving economic assets and community resources, the barriers can help mitigate the cycle of poverty and development setbacks. In our pilot communities, 82% of businesses were able to resume operations within two weeks, compared to the typical four-week recovery period.

Furthermore, the modular, reusable barriers have a lifespan of over 70 years, with maintenance costs representing less than 5% of the initial installation expenses, providing a reliable, cost-effective flood defense solution.

The evidence from our pilot data and research on the socioeconomic impacts of flooding in Tanzania underscores the transformative potential of the FloodGuard solution to empower vulnerable communities and break the cycle of devastation in the face of climate change.

FloodGuard's primary impact goals are to:

1. Enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Tanzania by protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure from the devastating impacts of extreme flooding events.

2. Catalyze a shift towards proactive, community-driven climate adaptation strategies that empower local populations to withstand the escalating threats of natural disasters.

To measure progress towards these impact goals, we are tracking the following key performance indicators:

Indicator 1: Number of people directly protected from flood events
During our pilot deployments, the FloodGuard barriers successfully protected over 500 individuals across 10 vulnerable communities. As we scale our solution, we aim to reach and protect at least 10,000 people by the end of 2025.

Indicator 2: Reduction in economic losses and recovery time for protected communities
In our pilot areas, businesses were able to resume operations within an average of 2 weeks after a flood event, compared to the typical 4-week recovery period. Our goal is to achieve at least a 50% reduction in economic losses and recovery time for communities where the FloodGuard system is deployed.

Indicator 3: Percentage of target communities with functional flood preparedness and response plans
Integrating the FloodGuard solution into local disaster management strategies is crucial for ensuring long-term sustainability. We aim to have the barriers incorporated into functional preparedness and response plans for at least 75% of the communities we serve by 2027.

Indicator 4: Increase in community resilience and self-efficacy
Through surveys and focus group discussions, we measure the target communities' sense of preparedness, security, and self-efficacy in the face of flood risks. Our pilot data shows an 85% increase in these metrics after the installation of the FloodGuard barriers. We aim to maintain and expand this positive trend as we scale our solution.

Indicator 5: Replication and adoption of the FloodGuard model by other regions and stakeholders
Beyond our direct impact, a key measure of our success will be the extent to which the FloodGuard approach is replicated and adopted by other flood-prone regions, governments, and humanitarian organizations. We will track the number of inquiries, partnerships, and deployments of our solution in new geographies as a testament to its broad transformative potential.

By consistently monitoring these key performance indicators, the FloodGuard team can continuously evaluate the impact of our solution, refine our strategies, and ensure we are making meaningful progress towards our goals of enhancing climate resilience and catalyzing systemic change in vulnerable communities across Tanzania and beyond.

The core technology that powers the FloodGuard solution is a unique, patented water-filled barrier system designed to provide highly effective, rapidly deployable flood protection for vulnerable communities.

At the heart of the FloodGuard design is a proprietary EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) synthetic rubber material that forms the barrier's concave, self-stabilizing shape. This specialized material, combined with an innovative internal support structure, allows the barriers to be lightweight yet incredibly durable, capable of withstanding water pressures of up to 1.5 meters.

The modular, interlocking nature of the FloodGuard barriers enables quick and efficient deployment using a minimal crew. Each barrier module measures 3 meters long by 0.6 meters high and can be rapidly filled with water on-site to create a continuous flood defense system. This rapid deployment capability, which can see a 1 km stretch installed in just 12 hours by a team of 8 people, is a key technological innovation that sets FloodGuard apart from traditional, static flood mitigation infrastructure.

Additionally, the FloodGuard solution incorporates cutting-edge geospatial mapping and data analytics tools to aid in the identification of high-risk flood zones and the strategic placement of the barriers. By leveraging satellite imagery, hydrological models, and historical flood data, our team can optimize the deployment of the FloodGuard system to provide the maximum protective coverage for the target communities.

The modular, reusable design of the FloodGuard barriers also represents a significant technological advancement in sustainable flood defense. With a projected lifespan of over 70 years and minimal maintenance requirements, the solution offers a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional flood mitigation approaches that rely on single-use materials or energy-intensive construction methods.

By combining innovative material science, intelligent deployment systems, and data-driven planning, the FloodGuard solution offers a transformative, technology-powered approach to enhancing the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Tanzania and beyond.

The FloodGuard solution team currently consists of:

- 5 full-time staff members
- 4 part-time staff members
- 3 contractors

This cross-functional team brings together expertise in engineering, community engagement, project management, data analysis, and marketing to ensure the effective development, deployment, and scaling of the FloodGuard flood defense system.

The combination of dedicated full-time staff, part-time collaborators, and specialized contractors allows the FloodGuard team to efficiently allocate resources and respond to the evolving needs of the target communities, while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, impact, and long-term sustainability.

The FloodGuard solution has been in active development for approximately 1 year and 4 months, since the project was first initiated in January 2023.

During this time, the dedicated team at FloodGuard has been working tirelessly to refine the innovative water-filled barrier technology, conduct extensive field testing and pilot deployments, and engage with target communities to ensure the solution is tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

This relatively short but highly productive development period has allowed the FloodGuard team to rapidly iterate on the design, deployment logistics, and impact measurement frameworks, positioning the solution for broader scaling and adoption.

At FloodGuard, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. We believe that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and lived experiences are essential for driving innovation and ensuring our solution truly meets the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Our core leadership team is comprised of 3 women and 2 men, representing a range of ethnic backgrounds, ages, and technical expertise. This diversity is intentional and something we have prioritized from the very start of the organization. We actively seek out talent from underrepresented groups, both within our local Tanzanian context and the broader region, to join our team.

To further enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of our work environment, we have implemented several key initiatives:

1. Unconscious bias training: All team members, including contractors and partners, undergo regular unconscious bias training to help identify and mitigate any latent biases that could create barriers to opportunity.

2. Flexible work policies: We offer flexible work arrangements, including remote options and generous parental leave, to accommodate the diverse needs and circumstances of our team members.

3. Pay equity audits: We conduct periodic reviews of our compensation and benefits structure to ensure equitable pay and opportunities for advancement, regardless of gender, race, or other identity-based factors.

4. Community engagement and feedback: We actively solicit input and feedback from the target communities we serve, ensuring that their perspectives and needs are at the forefront of our solution design and implementation.

By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values, the FloodGuard team is able to foster a welcoming and empowering work environment that brings out the best in everyone. We believe this holistic approach to team-building is crucial for developing innovative, community-centered solutions that can truly transform the lives of the most vulnerable populations.

The FloodGuard business model is centered on providing vulnerable communities in Tanzania with a highly effective, rapidly deployable flood defense system that enhances their climate resilience, protects lives and livelihoods, and catalyzes long-term, sustainable development.

Our key customers and beneficiaries are local governments, community-based organizations, and individual households located in flood-prone regions of Tanzania. We offer them a suite of products and services, including:

1. The FloodGuard flood barrier system: This is the core of our solution, consisting of the patented, water-filled barrier modules and associated deployment equipment. We sell these barriers directly to our customers at a competitive price point.

2. Installation and training services: To ensure the successful and sustainable deployment of the FloodGuard system, we provide comprehensive installation support and training for local community members and disaster response teams.

3. Monitoring and maintenance services: We offer ongoing monitoring, data analysis, and maintenance support to our customers, helping them maximize the long-term performance and lifespan of the FloodGuard barriers.

The value proposition of the FloodGuard solution is driven by its ability to significantly reduce the devastating social, economic, and environmental impacts of flooding events. By preventing the loss of lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure, the barriers provide an essential and highly sought-after climate adaptation service for our target communities.

Our current revenue model is a combination of direct sales, installation/training fees, and annual maintenance contracts. From our initial pilot deployments, we have already generated $21,000 in revenue, which we are reinvesting into further research, development, and community engagement efforts.

Looking ahead, we aim to explore additional revenue streams, such as government and donor-funded disaster risk reduction programs, climate adaptation grants, and community-based crowdfunding initiatives. By diversifying our revenue sources, we can ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the FloodGuard solution and its continued positive impact on the lives of vulnerable populations in Tanzania and beyond.

Our plan for achieving long-term financial sustainability for the FloodGuard solution involves a multi-pronged approach that leverages a combination of revenue streams.

1. Direct sales and service contracts:
The core of our revenue model is the sale of the FloodGuard barrier systems, installation/training services, and annual maintenance contracts to local governments, community organizations, and individual households. From our initial pilot deployments, we have already generated $21,000 in revenue, demonstrating the viability of this sales-based approach.

2. Government and donor-funded programs:
We are actively pursuing partnerships with national and regional disaster management agencies, as well as international development organizations, to integrate the FloodGuard solution into their climate adaptation and resilience-building initiatives. These types of government and donor-funded programs can provide a reliable, long-term source of revenue to support the continued scaling and deployment of our solution.

3. Climate adaptation grants and impact investments:
To further bolster our financial sustainability, we are seeking out grant funding and impact investment opportunities from philanthropic foundations, social impact funds, and other sources dedicated to supporting innovative climate adaptation technologies. We have already secured a $50,000 grant from the National Adaptation Fund, which is being used to expand our pilot deployments and strengthen our community engagement efforts.

4. Community-based crowdfunding:
Recognizing the importance of community ownership and buy-in, we are exploring the use of crowdfunding platforms to raise additional capital directly from the target populations we serve. This approach not only helps to fund the solution but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and long-term commitment from the beneficiaries.

By leveraging this diverse mix of revenue streams, the FloodGuard team is confident in our ability to achieve long-term financial sustainability and continue delivering our life-saving flood defense solution to vulnerable communities across Tanzania and beyond. The early success of our pilot deployments and the growing interest from both public and private sector partners further validate the viability of our business model.