How do you build partnerships that not only make an impact, but truly strengthen community – sustainably, inclusively, and with joy? In this episode, we speak with Arnd Boekhoff and Lars Braitmayer from Viva con Agua. For nearly two decades, a global movement has grown around their mission. United by the belief that access to clean drinking water is the foundation for a good life. More than 4.5 million people worldwide have gained access to water, hygiene, and sanitation through their work. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Viva con Agua works through art, music, and sport – universal languages that open doors, break down barriers, and invite participation. At the heart of it all is a clear intention: to build structures that enable collective responsibility and empower local agency. A community that doesn’t just support the mission but co-creates it. With purpose, with care, with joy.
Arnd and Lars take us inside the evolving ecosystem of Viva con Agua. What does it take to align growth with values? What tensions arise when grassroots meet the complexity of sustaining an organization? And how can we move from speaking about communities to building truly reciprocal partnerships with them?This episode is a reflection on imperfect action, shared learning and what it means to live a life anchored in engagement.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction of Johanna Kühner / SuperCoop
04:25 – Vision and Impact of SuperCoop
07:52 – Understanding Community
11:12 – Ownership and Decision-Making
16:46 – Understanding Scaling
22:52 – Game: Enterprise, Impact or Community?
Background
The podcast is part of the Leuphana Social Innovation Community at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. We want to connect social innovations, social entrepreneurs in an innovation community setting, where we learn from each other, make knowledge and innovative ideas tangible and visible.
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Contact
Charlotte von Wulffen
Charlotte.wulffen@leuphana.de
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