Fernanda Brenner

Peruvian environmental engineer creating affordable water filtration systems for underserved communities.

Founding Ecofiltro

Fernanda Brenner (born 1985) is a Peruvian social entrepreneur who founded Ecofiltro in 2009 to provide affordable clean water solutions. A civil engineer by training, she noticed that 30% of rural Peruvians lacked access to safe drinking water. Her innovation combines traditional ceramic filtration with modern design to create low-cost water purifiers that reduce diarrheal diseases by 80%.

Product Innovation

Ecofiltro's ceramic filters are made using locally sourced materials and fired in solar kilns to reduce carbon footprint. Each filter lasts 2 years and costs just $20, making clean water accessible to low-income families. Brenner's company has distributed over 1 million filters in 18 countries, reaching 5 million people across Latin America and Africa.

Business Model

Innovative pricing strategy uses a 'pay-it-forward' model where urban customers subsidize rural installations. This approach ensures sustainability while maintaining affordability. Brenner also trains local communities to produce filters, creating jobs and fostering economic empowerment. The enterprise has won accolades including the 2015 Ashden Award and 2018 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.

Global Impact

Brenner's work addresses the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water access). Her filters have prevented an estimated 12,000 deaths annually from waterborne illnesses. She serves as a UNICEF advisor and advocates for decentralized water solutions through her TED Talk "How to make clean water affordable for everyone". Ecofiltro's model has inspired similar ventures in India and Southeast Asia.