Call for contributions to the Global Report on the State of Water and Sanitation Utilities

The GWOPA Secretariat/ UN-Habitat – with the support of IRC and Water For People – is preparing a global report on the State of Water and Sanitation Utilities.  The Global Report will be published in early 2025 and will highlight the connections between the work of utilities and the local realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Water and sanitation utilities, along with other forms of service providers, deliver essential services that underpin the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals. The impacts of their work go far beyond SDGs 6.1 and 6.2, with their specific focus on water and sanitation, respectively, related to economy, health, climate resilience and other societal outcomes.

Presenting an overview of the state of water and sanitation utilities around the world, the report will illustrate the latest numbers, governance, financing mechanisms, capacity and performance of utilities, and the key challenges they are facing.  The report seeks to summarise the latest research findings and examples of utilities working to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. It will showcase the best financial, technical, ecological and social innovations from practice to demonstrate the possibilities for strengthening service providers.

GWOPA is inviting its members to suggest contributions to the report. You can either propose a case study focused on a specific utility or practice or share publications that you would like us to consider and use in preparing the report. Areas of specific interest include:

• utilities and service providers in low and middle-income country contexts
• evidence, examples and stories of how utilities impact on multiple Sustainable Development Goals
• cases related to climate mitigation/ adaptation, inclusive sanitation, regulation, and services for low-income households
• examples of local action and community participation
• innovations across all elements of the service delivery chain in water and sanitation

If the contribution can be used in the report, IRC/ Water For People may request a follow up interview with you to further develop the contribution. All contributions used will be acknowledged in the report, and a draft copy of the relevant report chapter will be provided before use.

If you would like to contribute, please reply by completing the following form https://forms.office.com/e/qapJSe2LbB, and if possible, before 2 August 2024, or contact John Butterworth, IRC at butterworth@ircwash.org.