About USAW

Mission, vision and values

The wording below is the organization's own, adopted by the Board. It is reproduced exactly so it can be cited without paraphrase.

Statements

What we are for

Mission

Advancing customized innovative solutions to lead sustainable change through education, economic opportunities, and community action, fostering a healthier planet and a more equitable society.

Vision

A world where sustainability is at the forefront of policies and practices protecting the environment and strengthening communities for future generations.

Brand promise

United Sustainability Action for Women empowers women and communities to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable futures through leadership, innovation and collaborative action.

Core values

How we work

Five values, each with a practical consequence rather than a slogan.

  • Inclusion

    Sustainability solutions are strongest when designed by those most affected.

  • Evidence

    Programme design and advocacy are grounded in independent research and data.

  • Integrity

    Financial and governance practices meet the highest standards of transparency.

  • Partnership

    Durable impact requires working with, not around, local institutions.

  • Resilience

    Programming is designed to withstand funding, climate and political shocks.

Strategic goals

Four goals, and what sits under each

Every one of the ten programme pillars sits under exactly one of these four goals.

  1. Increase Sustainability Education

    Equip women and youth with the knowledge and skills to lead climate action and sustainable practice in their communities.

    • Conduct independent research to generate data for evidence-based policy and practice
    • Conduct strategic interventions on environmental awareness
    • Educate women on sustainable practices and climate action

  2. Empower Women Economically

    Grow women-led green enterprises through skills training, finance access and entrepreneurship incubation.

    • Support women-led eco-friendly businesses
    • Provide training in green skills and sustainable entrepreneurship
    • Facilitate access to relevant national and global platforms

  3. Promote Community Engagement

    Build local Community Chapters and networks that translate awareness into sustained collective action.

    • Institute Community Chapters aligned with key global and national environmental milestones
    • Build local networks of women leading sustainability efforts
    • Drive behavioural change in water resource management - reclamation, efficiency and stormwater capture

  4. Strengthen Advocacy and Leadership

    Secure women's participation in environmental policy and governance at local, national and international levels.

    • Ensure women's participation in environmental policy discussions
    • Develop leadership programmes for women in sustainability
    • Promote and document best practices in environmental advocacy and leadership

See the ten programme pillars

Who we serve

Target population

  • Women and youth aged 15 and above
  • Low- to moderate-income communities
  • Aspiring women entrepreneurs
  • Students and young leaders interested in sustainability

Alignment

International frameworks

UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDGs 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 17 - mapped to named targets on each programme page.
The Paris Agreement
Through climate adaptation, resilience and finance programming.
Beijing Platform for Action
Through women's leadership and economic empowerment programming.
CEDAW
Through advocacy for women's full participation in environmental governance.
African Union Agenda 2063
Through inclusive green growth and women's economic inclusion.
AfCFTA
Through support for women-owned green enterprises trading across borders.
Ghana's Nationally Determined Contributions
Through community-level climate adaptation and resilience programming.
Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy
As a reference framework for Canadian partnerships and funding relationships.