Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) are a well-known and proven approach for capacity building and performance strengthening through long-term partnerships. The impact of a WOP can be multiplied when accompanied by necessary investments, and in turn, investments have a better chance to achieve their development goals when accompanied by WOPs. This session will therefore discuss the potential of WOPs to support not only the mobilization of needed finance, but also the added value of WOPs in maximizing the impact of utility investments. Insights from investors and WOPs funders will help to understand their expectations of WOPs and discuss how WOPs might be better embedded in the project cycle of investments.

WOPs that support performance improvements, for example reducing NRW or boosting HR management, improve a utility's cash flows and ultimately improve their creditworthiness. The session will also feature WOPs from different countries where mentors have supported mentee utilities in defining long-term investment plans, preparing projects documents, fine-tuning concept notes, and supporting utilities in in the dialogue with potential financiers and applying to grants and donor funds.