In 2019 alone, WaterWorX (WWX) helped provide access to clean water for 630.000 people and improve sanitation facilities for 30.000 people. WWX forecast is that by the end of phase I, WWX WOPs will have reached over one million people in our programme areas.WaterWorX (WWX) Annual Report 2019 shares stories that celebrate the progress made in 2019 and highlights the remarkable things learned this year on WWX journey of continuous improvement. The WWX programme held a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of Phase 1 of the programme (2017-2021) between June and November of 2019. It is based on the assessment of 20 WOP’s, the review of WWX’s enabling environment activities, global-level advocacy, knowledge management and programme coordination. It also included elements of the review of the Theory of Change (ToC) and the monitoring framework of the programme. The assessments are done against the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability.
The MTR found that most WOPs perform moderately well to very good across the four evaluation criteria, indicating that the WOP component of the programme is, overall, performing well. Specifically, it found that all WOPs are highly relevant to the needs of the mentee utilities, with planned activities and outputs – including operational investments - overall relevant to addressing those needs. However, there is no clear link between utilities’ improved financial performance with the potential to attract investment. At least 3 utilities that perform poorly have access to large-scale investment funds whilst some of the better performing ones, struggle to access finance. This premise has been taken up in the Investment Working Group. The MTR also found that WOPs are effective in rolling-out activities and delivering expected outputs (e.g. training on asset management) – but that outcomes related to procedures are facing more difficulties. To track these better, the programme coordination helped WOPs define these more adequately.
The annual report provides an overview of latest information, status and trends regarding the WWX programme and its challenges. In a world with so many competing priorities, WWX remains resolutely focused on tackling three essentials: building capacity to create sustainable utilities, increasing access to water and sanitation and channelling investments in water. These are essential first steps to making sure that ‘no one is left behind’ in reaching SDG 6 – as well as when it comes to enjoying the multiple benefits and opportunities that water provides.
Installing taps and toilets is essential, but WWX does so much more. To make lasting change happen – we work with our partners to create sustainable utilities and practices, actively encouraging collaboration so that all voices can be heard and ideas spread. The WWX strategy provides an ambitious framework for enabling enhanced attention to internal and external knowledge sharing. WWX has made progress in capitalising its experiences and its documented knowledge base to support further promotion and replication of the innovative approaches.
