This document discusses organizational changes WaterAid is making to improve the sustainability of its rural water programming. It launched a Sustainability Framework in 2011 and is using tools like workshops, analysis of project sites, and monitoring to help staff and partners systematically consider sustainability. In Mali, WaterAid is working with local governments and partners to conduct analysis of project sites, identify good models like one in Dandougou Fakala, and develop plans to address challenges like preventative maintenance and cost-sharing. The process has highlighted the need for aligned internal systems and dedicated champions to drive changes, while performance monitoring and critique will also be important to make sustainability an organic part of WaterAid's work.

1. Organisational change for improved programming
WaterAid/ Marco Betti
Richard Carter, Head of Technical Support, WaterAid
Stephen Jones, PhD Cand, Royal Holloway, Uni of London
www.wateraid.org

2. Prior experience: Equity and Inclusion
Programme principles
E&I first – collaborative,
lengthy, dedicated lead
Sustainability Framework
launched 2011
Systematic & strategic…
…organic & opportunistic
www.wateraid.org

3. Internal change for external influence
Sustainability Framework
Tools & commitments
www.wateraid.org

4. The Framework
Water user
organise, train
committee
External Conventional manages
intervention community
management
Water supply
design, construct
assets
Water user
committee
External support (to
External limited ability both “hard” and
intervention to maintain
“soft” infrastructure
Community
Water supply management
technology plus
www.wateraid.org

5. Sustainable rural water services
2. Full user 9. Management and
Community-based,
D E S IG N &I M P L E M E N T A T I O N
participation. monitoring systems.
externally-
3. Technology fit supportedO&M
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
for purpose and system in place.
chosen by users. 10. Technical
 WUC functioning assistance to WUCs
4. Capital contri-  Revenues collected and users.
1. Establish bution by users. and recorded
need, demand 5. High quality of  Upkeep and
and relevant maintenance tasks 11. Recurrent cost
implementation.
service level. sharing.
being undertaken
6. Appropriate  Strong links between
tariff structure. user community and 12. Support to
support organisation supply chains and
7. Environmental
in place service providers.
aspects properly
 Environmental
addressed.
monitoring
8. Monitoring 13. Support around
system in place externalities.
www.wateraid.org

6. Other tools and commitments
WaterPoint Mapper
Post-implementation
monitoring at 1, 3, 5,
10 years
Minimum
commitments
Sector & project
sustainability analyses
www.wateraid.org

7. West Africa workshop
Preparation Workshop Workshop
Sector and
Deepening Peer review
Project
Understanding Prioritise
Analysis
Repeat
Implement Informed
analysis – all
plans design
rural partners
Mali Back in-country Workshop
www.wateraid.org

8. One Country Programme
Example: Mali
www.wateraid.org

9. WaterAid
in Mali Local budget
support
+
Capacity-
development
=
Model approach
for state and
other actors
WASH Technical Unit (3 communes)
or local NGO partner (13 communes)
• Coordinator + field agent
• (Deputy Mayor for WASH)
• (Local civil servants)

10. How to mainstream sustainability?
Sustainability Framework
Tools & commitments
(WaterAid 2011)

11. 1) Initial sector analysis + one commune case
3) Field research by each of
study, used for discussion and development of initial
4) Workshop to and workshop16 rural partners(May
with key areas(Sept-
2) Desk reviewin West Africa identifyall partners in Mali
action plan review and regional workshop for
to2011)in 2012-13 budget andOct 2011):
action
discuss the Framework (Dec 2011).
how to address knowledge
gaps identified in the regional Sustainability analysis of
• workshop (Aug 2011).
each commune: “traffic-
light” rating for each
Sustainability Framework
Tools & commitments
element of framework.
• Case studies of 4 villages
in each commune.
Also:
• Functionality surveys and
GPS mapping.
• Beginning life-cycle costs
analysis (5 communes).
(Nov 2011)
(WaterAid 2011)

12. Overall trends from commune-level analysis
Initial demand, participation
and contribution
Monitoring, especially
environmental aspects
Tariffs & revenues (from users)
Sharing recurrent costs (with
others)
Preventative maintenance &
support to supply chains
Support around externalities

13. Some initial findings
One very good commune-level model to build on:
 Clear costs analysis + cost-sharing mechanisms +
support to local mechanics = functionality ~ 100% in
Dandougou Fakala commune.
 Direct Support costs for this model of a local govt
WASH Technical Unit are ~ 2-3 USD pppy (including
OpEx + some CapManEx)… in line with WASHCost
review but high compared to local/national budgets.
Other communes analysed so far:
 Functionality 80%+.
 DS costs ~ 0.5-1.5 USD pppy (higher population).

14. Challenges in the internal process
Who can/should drive the changes?
 … so far, by Learning Coordinator + PhD student
rather than Programmes or Policy teams.
 Reaching common understandings and commitment
among WA staff and partners takes time.
 Over-reliance on particular ‘champions’ in partners?
What internal structures and systems need to change?
 Internal planning/monitoring/reporting systems not
yet aligned to sustainability (although 2012-13 budget
and Post-Implementation Surveys will help).

15. What next for WaterAid in Mali?
1. Monitoring at different levels: Local monitoring +
Post-Implementation Surveys + national database.
2. Life-Cycle Costs Analysis: Analysis of data so far +
ongoing monitoring of costs and cost-sharing in each
commune.
3. Sustainability considered in local governments’
WASH development plans.
4. Preventative maintenance and supply chains:
detailed plans according to each commune’s context

16. Reflections overall from the process
- Framework not perfect but very helpful
- Appetite for engagement
- Pre-workshop analysis in West Africa was useful
- Performance monitoring and critique are vital
- Dedicated champion(s) – or the business of all?
- Strategic? Or organic and opportunistic?
www.wateraid.org