In pursuit of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for SDGs, collaborative among WASH organizations has been implemented across the globe in form of Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) as a mutual recognition that access to WASH is a basic human right and hence directly supports the realization of SDG 6.
Drawing from the peer to peer learnings across the globe i.e.:- WOP-LAC partnership (FESAN and ADECOR in Guatemala), Safe Water Network with its Safe Water Enterprise Alliance (SWEA) advancing safe water enterprise models in India & Ghana, and the 2 EU- WOPs projects implemented in Uganda ("Eastern Umbrella, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water & WaterAid", and "South-western Umbrella, Vei &NWSC"); a joint session has been organized to reflect on how targeted peer to peer collaborations have shaped WASH service providers into more resilient, efficient, self sustaining and gender inclusive organizations towards ensuring reliable, equitable and affordable WASH services to communities in small towns, informal settlements and rural communities.
The session is intended to expound on the achievements from peer-to-peer collaboration, viz: building effective institutions and context-specific innovative solutions to persistent challenges e.g.: intermittent water supply, NRW, limited technical and management capacity, weak asset management and climate vulnerability. The session will bring together multi-stakeholders across the globe to discuss emerging challenges, research and innovation, the success and impact of peer-learning models and pathways for scaling up.
By showcasing success stories with practical examples drawn from peer collaborations, complements will also be drawn from a panel discussion intended to: identify enabling environments (policy, financing), barriers & promote the scale-up of collaborative frameworks for sustainable and resilient water and sanitation services.
The session aims to inspire WASH organizations to adopt and scale up these approaches while emphasizing the foundational role of water and sanitation in the realization of human rights.
The session will constitute 5 key sub sessions:-
● Session convener responsible for; planning, coordinating and reporting (Mr. Patrick Kayizzi - Session Chairperson, in collaboration with Ms. Valeria Suarez and Ms. Gadha Raj).
● A keynote address by Dr. Christopher Williams - CEO, Safe Water Network (5 mins).
● Case study presentations from the 3 partners (45 mins).
● Panel discussion/ Q&A with representation from the 3 partners (30 Mins).
● Closing remarks from Welsh Water, Ministry of Water Uganda Executive, WOP-LAC and Vei (5Mins).
The case study presentations and panel discussions will be moderated by Ms. Lungi Biyela (WaterAid UK).
Key Themes to include:
● HR capacity through peer to peer.
● Scaling up peer learning models.
● Utility governance and accountability frameworks.
● Inclusive and participatory service models in informal and rural settings.