Should we invest in knowledge sharing between WOPs? The answer is clear: Yes, and the WaterWorx Programme tells you why!
WWX organized 4-half-day webinars to present and reflect on the results of the WOPs implemented throughout Africa, Asia and South America
To increase access to sustainable water services for 10 million by 2030. This is the ultimate goal of the WaterWorX (WWX) Programme, launched in 2017, which consists of Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) between Dutch and local water utilities co-funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS).
Last week, the Programme held a MoV Marathon – 30 minute online sessions, one for each of the 27 thematic Outputs (MoVs refers to Means of Verification/deliverables for these Outputs) that has been prioritized by one or more WOPs; to present, share and reflect on progress in achieving these Outputs and emerging results (improved operational performance). The webinars aim to facilitate interaction between project managers, short-term experts, and utility partner representatives of the 25+ WOPs in the 4 half-day sessions.
These sessions highlight the importance of the principles that guide WOPs: not-for-profit, peer-to-peer support, in order to learn from each other and jointly help in the achievement of SDG6.
According to Reint-Jan de Blois, Senior Project Officer VEI, “peer-to-peer learning is fueling the development and refinement of content (Sharepoint platform) and interaction between Community of Practice (COP) members (through Whatsapp and Yammer apps)” in the following 8 thematic areas:
1: Leadership (utility management, organizational development) inclusion,
2: Long-term water supply and investment plans (incl. strategic/business and investment planning)
3: Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction
4: Asset management
5: Low income customer (pro-poor service delivery)
6: Water quality and safety
7: Billing and customer care
8: Project management
Presented examples include:
• A Climate Resilient Water Supply Plan 2020-2050 that was prepared in the Nakuru County – VEI WOP with support from Acacia (training material and templates published on the CoP Sharepoint site) and RIVM (Water Safety Planning) – guiding the prioritization of sustainable investment options.
• An Inclusion (incl. gender) assessment and action plan for Cagayan de Oro Water District (Philippines).
• A Pre-feasibility Study for large scale infrastructure investment (Mwanza – VEI WOP) stimulating other WoPs (e.g. Homa Bay – Dunea WOP) to initiate similar scoping studies.
• A Pre-feasibility Study for energy efficiency improvements (SOMAGEP – WWn WOP) stimulating other WoPs (e.g. Zambia SWSC – VEI) to explore a solar power -for boreholes- business case with impact investors through Aqua for All.
These and future webinars -within the context of the Community of Practice- aim to exploit the benefit of a multi-annual WWX programme (2017-2030) that is based on a common footing (result chain logic) while recognizing diversity and replicability of demonstrated results and approaches in WOP-specific settings.
