Updates from the UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI

Contact us: watergovernance@siwi.org

News in this issue
Enabling environment framework linked to core water governance functions
High-level workshops support governments gaining awareness on potential integrity risks in the water sector
Regional alumni workshop on water integrity provides tools for water resources management
Social audit manual to help communities relate to water institutions in El Salvador
Tajikistan water supply companies raise transparency and improve cooperation with consumers
Administrative positioning of the regulatory body for tariff setting of water supply and sewerage services in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Enabling Environment Framework Linked to Core Water Governance Functions
As part of the ongoing UNICEF efforts to enhance WASH governance programming, the Accountability for Sustainability Program has developed a framework to unpack the concept of Enabling Environment, linking structural and institutional factors to core water governance facilities. The briefing note, originally developed in December 2015, was revised in March 2016.

High-level workshops support governments gaining awareness on potential integrity risks in the water sector
To alert governmental agencies with regards to potential integrity risks in the water sector and in order to build a collective national response addressing the risks, WGF, IUCN-ROWA and GWP-Med, in association with the national partners conducted high-level workshops in Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia. The high-level workshops were part of the MENA-Water Integrity Capacity Building programme and involved senior level decision and policy-makers from across the water sector institutions. Potential integrity risks were high-lighted andpolicy and institutional strengthening options were proposed and discussed. Learn more about it here.

Regional alumni workshop on water integrity provides tools for water resources management
The second regional alumni workshop of the Capacity Building Programme on Water Integrity for the Middle East and North Africa was held on 8-11 February, targeting participants from the national trainings for operational staff. Time was invested in further enhancing the water integrity action plans of the alumni, and provide them with the necessary integrity tools to achieve better water resources management – each and every one within ones area of influence. Read more about the workshop here.

Social Audit Manual to help communities relate to water institutions in El Salvador
On 20 January 2016, UNDP launched a social audit manual for “Promoting Good Governance in the Torola River Basin of El Salvador”. The manual, which has been developed as part of the GoAL WaSH project will help communities that want to exert control over their water institutions. Learn more here.

Tajikistan water supply companies raise transparency and improve cooperation with consumers
The UNDP GoAL WaSH programme has supported the establishment of Public Advisory Councils in water supply companies in Tajikistan, implemented together with the Consumers Union of Tajikistan. The aim of the Public Advisory Councils is to protect the rights and interests of consumers and encourage their participation in decision-making processes. Read more here.

Administrative positioning of the regulatory body for tariff setting of water supply and sewerage services in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The GoAL WaSH programme has in cooperation with the state, entity, cantonal and local authorities, prepared a study on establishing a regulatory framework for tariff setting for water supply and sewerage services in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study includes an analysis of the legislative and institutional framework, as well as of the current practice for tariff setting and approval in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The document concludes with guidelines, principles and proposals for the establishment of a regulatory framework in this area. The report is available for download here.

Director's Note

Marianne Kjellén, Director, WGF

This year, the very human side of development is in focus: namely that of work - and the people that produce development or services. The theme of this year’s World Water Day Campaign is “Water and Jobs”. It recognizes that most jobs somehow relate to water, but also that millions of people who work in water are often not protected by basic labour rights.

In collaboration with ILO and University of East Anglia, WGF has conducted a meta-study of Women’s informal and unpaid work in water: Globally women spend more than 40 billion hours yearly carrying water to their homes, walking an average of 30 minutes per trip. The informal and unpaid provision of water put women’s and girls' health and security at risk. Yet, water fetching is often not recognised in economic and political discussions about work in the water sector.

Further, one of the more fundamental services to society; the removal of our wastes, for disposal or productive recycling and reuse of water, energy and nutrients, can sometimes even be looked down upon. The uplifting of the status of the work in sanitation is critical, and may partly be achieved by assuring better pay - at least for professional waste management services.

Further issues relating to the concepts of work, jobs and employment and their different qualities is delved upon by the 2015 Human Development Report. Whereas work is the means for unleashing human potential, exploitative work robs people of their dignity. Likewise, hazardous work, without safety measures, labour rights, or social protection is not conducive to human development.

Better water, better jobs is the tweet of the World Water Day Campaign, reminding us that it is the people who matter, and it is what people decide to do or not that determines how our water sectors work, or not. Water governance relates to the structures and relations that should be supporting behaviours to manage water resources and water and sanitation services in an equitable, efficient and sustainable manner.

Let us this year, put particular emphasis on the conditions under which all the work to ensure cleanliness and water in our homes and institutions is carried out: Men's or women's work - it should be decent!