VANCOUVER, May 11, 2017 /CNW/ - In Gujarat, India, where 70 per cent of the population faces high water stress, Enactus Ryerson University students created Project Pura, which empowers local waterpreners to manufacture and sell ceramic water filters, while simultaneously providing a water sanitation education and entrepreneurship program to drive industry growth.

Enactus Ryerson University has been named the 2017 Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge National Champion by this country's largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud program supporter Scotiabank. The national competition took place at the 2017 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Vancouver.

In only four months, Enactus Ryerson has filtered 142,620L of water and has increased over 31,000 individuals' access to clean drinkable water.

"Congratulations to the Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge winners and all the teams from across the country, who presented projects brought to life by their talent, creativity and belief in the importance of making the world more sustainable," said Terri Williams, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Scotiabank. "We believe in supporting organizations that help young people reach their infinite potential. The Enactus students who took part in this Challenge inspire us all to think about sustainable solutions that could make a real impact on communities here in Canada, and around the world."

The Scotiabank EcoLiving Green Challenge is a national competition empowering post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach others viable solutions to relevant environmental issues. Since 2010, 67,864 students have helped conserve 35,604,157 litres of water, diverted 174,907,630 pounds of waste and introduced 9,488 organizations to green business practices.

"Enactus Ryerson is dedicated to sustainability and enabling environmental progress," says Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. "We are inspired by the creativity of our students, who will undoubtedly continue to empower others to become more environmentally responsible."

The 2017 Enactus Canada National Exposition welcomed 1,500 delegates, including the country's brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs, to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition and education.

For competition results during the event, please follow @Enactus_Canada on Twitter. All event results will also be published on enactus.ca/events/national-exposition.

ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, the country's largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,734 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 280 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.

ABOUT SCOTIABANK: At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their full potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2016, Scotiabank contributed more than $70 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 88,000 employees and assets of $887 billion (as at January 31, 2017), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

SOURCE Scotiabank