Designing the Capacity- Building Framework for LVWATSAN Nairobi October 2006 Dr. Graham Alabaster, Programme Manager, Water, Sanitation & Infrastructure Branch, UN-HABITAT

Project Objectives Support pro-poor water and sanitation investments in the secondary urban centres in the Lake Victoria Region. Build institutional and human resource capacities at local and regional levels for the sustainability of improved water and sanitation services Facilitate the benefits of upstream water sector reforms to reach the local level in the participating urban centres Reduce the environmental impact of urbanisation in the Lake Victoria Basin

What challenges did we need to address in programme design? Ensuring a focus is maintained on serving the poorest and fully engaging them in the process Maximising the benefits from a true regional programme A rapid delivery mechanisms to meet the MDGs and go beyond Designing country level implementation arrangements that dovetail into regional/national structures (EAC) and existing initiatives Ensuring sustainability: Technical; institutional; environmental, particularly at the local level Recognizing that WATSAN needs to be linked to wider development issues Designing a capacity-building programme that is responsive and demand driven and supports/sustains physical interventions effectively

Response Poverty mapping & stakeholder engagement Customized MOU ’ s with sustainability clauses “ Modern mixes ” approach to sustainable technology Multi-faceted region-wide capacity-building interventions Local economic development Pro-poor governance approaches Gender and marginalised groups (HIV/AIDS) Utility management Urban catchment management Advocacy and communication

LVWATSAN Programme of Implementation (15 towns) Assessment & Project design: baseline survey undertaken and MDG monitoring framework developed Immediate interventions (rehabilitate existing infrastructure and extend coverage to the poor) Capacity-building interventions (region-wide) Long-term interventions Implementation programme in 3-4 years

Some key issues in designing LVWATSAN capacity-building component Policy Approaches Lack of integrated approaches (water sanitation, solid waste, drainage, housing & other infrastructure, urban planning) National policies (sector reforms) don’t cater for urban centres of all sizes The target population: do we know where the poor are and how they are best served? How do we integrate WATSAN planning with urban planning and environmental concerns? Financing Mechanisms Larger cities get more ODA, smaller towns have to rely on market- based approaches Low income (MDG target group) populations: how do we ensure livelihood opportunities are realised ?

Some key issues in designing LVWATSAN capacity-building component Technical Options How do we manage so called “modern mixes” of technology Opportunities for “ecological approaches” to water and sanitation are different and reuse needs to be considered Capacity to Implement & Sustain Investments Available capacity varies: usually available in large cities, not so much on smaller urban centres Conflicts between WATSAN utilities and local authorities Project/Programme Design Time-frame too long, does not fit in the “political window” New delivery approaches needed (rehabilitate and extend) Avoid duplication and focus on local structures (Paris Declaration)

Lake Victoria Region Water and Sanitation Initiative

What we want to achieve An improved livelihood for the MDG target group A well-balanced capacity-building component that supports and sustains the physical investments Refined institutional and governance structures An agreed position, as stakeholders in the programme, on the way ahead