1. Decentralisation 1 Corinne Waelti, seecon international gmbh

2. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Copy it, adapt it, use it – but acknowledge the source! Copyright Included in the SSWM Toolbox are materials from various organisations and sources. Those materials are open source. Following the open- source concept for capacity building and non-profit use, copying and adapting is allowed provided proper acknowledgement of the source is made (see below). The publication of these materials in the SSWM Toolbox does not alter any existing copyrights. Material published in the SSWM Toolbox for the first time follows the same open-source concept, with all rights remaining with the original authors or producing organisations. To view an official copy of the the Creative Commons Attribution Works 3.0 Unported License we build upon, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0. This agreement officially states that: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 You are free to: Share - to copy, distribute and transmit this document Remix - to adapt this document. We would appreciate receiving a copy of any changes that you have made to improve this document. Under the following conditions: Attribution: You must always give the original authors or publishing agencies credit for the document or picture you are using. Disclaimer The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or supporting partner organisations. Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation and the implementation and combination of the measures described. An in-depth analysis of respective advantages and disadvantages and the suitability of the measure is necessary in every single case. We do not assume any responsibility for and make no warranty with respect to the results that may be obtained from the use of the information provided. Copyright & Disclaimer

3. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Contents 1. Introduction 2. Implementation 3. Outcomes 4. Case Examples 5. References 3

4. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info What is Decentralisation and Why is It Needed? What? Decentralisation occurs when a central government cedes powers to actors or institutions at lower levels. 4 1. Introduction Why? Increased popular participation Increased accountability and efficiency Needs and preferences of the community can be identified better Improved equity and justice

5. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Decentralising Water and Sanitation Management 5 2. Implementation Several aspects need to be considered in order to successfully implement a decentralisation process: 1.Central government should work together with local democratic institutions 2.Sufficient and appropriate transfer of power 3.Support equity and justice 4.Establish fair and accessible justification 5.Support local civic education 6.Give it time 7.Monitor and develop 8.Document the process 9.Find places for local meetings 10.Inform the public 11.Avoid corruption Source: RIBOT (2002)

6. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Possible Problems with Implementing Decentralisation 6 2. Implementation Lacking capacity and resources of the local government Insufficient transfer of power Corruption and elite capture Missing transparency Source: MASOUD (n.y.)

7. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Benefits of Decentralisation 7 3. Outcomes Equity Greater retention and fairer distribution Efficiency Accounting for costs in decision making Higher accountability Reduced transaction costs Services are matched to needs Mobilisation of local knowledge Improved coordination Providing local communities with resources can contribute to development

8. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Measuring the Success of Decentralisation 8 3. Outcomes There are several difficulties in measuring if a decentralisation act has been successful: Data before and after decentralisation is needed in order to make comparisons Separating outcomes from other impacts is difficult Outcomes cannot be aggregated: How can the success of decentralisation be evaluated if there are positive as well as negative outcomes?

9. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info Examples for Successful and Unsuccessful Implementation 9 4. Case Examples A success story Successes: -Government is more responsive to the needs of the poor (more spending on social services, education and training) -Fairer allocation of government funding -Higher accountability due to more active involvement of small groups and higher bottom-up pressure possibility Example from South Africa, Source: DE JONG (2009) Example from Bolivia, Source: FAGUET (2003) Lacking responsibilities Problems: -Poor government at local level which cannot manage the increased responsibilities -Lack of human resources Possible Solutions: -Empowering residents with: -Increased access to information -Knowledge of rights (law), economics, finance, etc.

10. Decentralisation Find this presentation and more on: www.sswm.info.www.sswm.info 10 5. References DE, I. (2009): Can Decentralisation Improve Rural Water Supply Services? Economic and Political Weekly (EPW). FAGUET, J.P. (2003): Decentralisation and Local Government in Bolivia: An Overview from the Bottom Up. London: Crisis States Programme. URL: sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/decentralisation/bolivia.pdf [Accessed: 27.08.2012]sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/decentralisation/bolivia.pdf JONG, D. de (2009): South Africa: Municipal Failures Put Decentralisation at Risk. Den Haag: International Water and Sanitation Center (IRC). URL: http://www.source.irc.nl/page/50704 [Accessed: 27.08.2012].http://www.source.irc.nl/page/50704 MASOUD, A. (n.y.): Auditing Poverty – The Cartoons. URL: http://www.srds.co.uk/uapp2/kipanya.htm [Accessed: 27.08.2012].http://www.srds.co.uk/uapp2/kipanya.htm RIBOT, J. (2002): Democratic Decentralisation of Natural Resources. Institutionalising Popular Participation. World Resources Institute (WRI). URL: pdf.wri.org/ddnr_full_revised.pdf [Accessed: 06.08.2012].pdf.wri.org/ddnr_full_revised.pdf

11. Decentralisation 11 Linking up Sustainable Sanitation, Water Management & Agriculture SSWM is an initiative supported by: Created by: