Established in 2005 by a small but determined group of engineers, EWB-Atlanta is the only professional chapter of EWB-USA in Georgia. While the chapter primarily consists of engineering professionals, it also relies on contributions from individuals in a wide range of disciplines. EWB-Atlanta is currently involved in multiple domestic and international projects. For international projects, members travel to the community that has requested help, assess the sites, establish a community partnership, design the appropriate solution, and procure funding. EWB-Atlanta then manages and implements the project with hands-on help from the local population. EWB-Atlanta implements the construction of sustainable systems that developing communities can own and operate without external assistance, thereby allowing them to take an active role in breaking their own cycle of poverty. We strive to empower these communities by enhancing local, technical, managerial, educational, and entrepreneurial skills. We actively promote sustainable development in areas such as water supply and sanitation, food production and processing, housing and construction, energy, transportation and communication, income generation, and employment creation. These projects are initiated by, and completed with, participation from the host community working with our project teams. EWB-Atlanta contributes to meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through capacity building in community projects. Capacity building is defined in that context as "..the building (or strengthening) of human, institutional and infrastructure capacity to help societies develop secure, stable and sustainable economies, governments and other institutions through mentoring, training, education, physical projects, the infusion of financial and other resources, and most importantly, the motivation and inspiration of people to improve their lives" (Hatch, 2004).
