FAQ
What is ESW?
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) is an international 501c3 nonprofit network. ESW supports over 1,750 engineers & problem solvers who work to enact measurable, positive change in our communities. ESW has about 50 collegiate chapters across the US and Canada. ESW has completed over 300 chapter-led projects in 12 countries and 23 US states & Canadian provinces since its founding in 2002.
What is ESW's vision & mission?
We strive to empower students to tackle sustainability challenges. We work towards a sustainable world supported by a network of passionate engineers.
Our goals are as follows:
Design and implement hands-on sustainability projects across the globe.
Educate students and practicing engineers on sustainability best practices.
Unite those passionate about sustainability in a productive international network.
What kinds of projects does ESW pursue?
ESW will support any project that seeks to address one or more UNSDG targets. Our projects should be measurable, realistic, and timely.
Some past projects include:
Check out more projects in our ESW project database here.
What are the benefits of joining ESW's network?
ESW Conferences
ESW hosts annual sustainability conferences.
Build Day
Build Day unites neighborhoods for a day of action to literally build more sustainable communities.
We distribute project grants to our chapters to support ongoing initiatives.
We host a jobs board curated to the interests of our students
Sustainability Network
Membership grants access to our growing global network of engineers & problem solvers.
How can I become a member of ESW?
Click the "Join ESW" tab to learn more!
Do I have to be an engineer to join?
Nope! Anyone can join ESW regardless of background and level of experience. We believe that you do not have to be an engineer in order to engineer change. We welcome students and professionals of all backgrounds to join us in building a more sustainable world. Even if that doesn't sound like you, we have never barred anyone from membership. If you want to join, you are welcome to do so!
What's the difference between ESW and EWB?
EWB (Engineers without Borders) is another great organization with a mission very similar to our own. ESW tends to focus more on domestic education and technology at the collegiate level, while EWB tends to focus more on international volunteering and infrastructure at the professional level. ESW is led almost exclusively by students and recent graduates, so we tend to be much more independent, open to learning by doing, and open to pursuing totally new ideas and technologies. Recently, ESW has been tackling more international infrastructure projects, too. There's no shortage of work to be done, so we strongly encourage collaboration between organizations who share our values!