Resource mobilisation strategies for universal WASH access

Published on: 21/08/2024

This blog has been written by Abrham Kebede, resource mobilisation officer 

Resources are one of the key components to improve and build strong water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. As part of the Conrad N. Hilton Renewal Grant, IRC has been supporting three woredas (districts) in Amhara - Dera, Farta and North Mecha - to develop resource mobilisation strategies. This initiative follows on from the development and implementation of the woreda WASH master plans.

Why resource mobilisation?

The impact of inadequate WASH facilities is profound, contributing to the spread of disease, increased school absenteeism, and a significant economic burden on families. As a lack of resources is one of the main challenges in service delivery, resource mobilisation is crucial for effective WASH interventions, implementing long-term WASH master plans and ensuring sustainable outcomes. It involves harnessing the financial, human, and material resources of various stakeholders, including governments, development partners, non-government organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), the private sector, and local communities.

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The launching of the resource mobilisation strategies in Adama Town

Key strategies for effective resource mobilisation

While developing the resource mobilisation strategy, the three woredas considered the following:

1. Mobilising additional resources for all life cycle costs (new construction, operation and maintenance, major maintenance, direct and indirect support) from taxes, tariffs, and transfers through master plan marketing and by strengthening strategic partnerships with government agencies, development partners, NGOs, CBOs, private sector and community groups to leverage expertise, networks, and resources.
2. Empowering local communities with the skills and knowledge to manage and maintain WASH facilities effectively. Provide training on hygiene practices, sanitation technologies, water conservation, context-specific tariff adjustments, roles and responsibilities, and basic WASH services.
3. Developing fundraising proposals and sustainable financing models tailored to local contexts.
4. Implementing public private partnership models for the development and management of WASH facilities.
5. Raising awareness of the importance of WASH issues among stakeholders, policymakers and the public, and highlighting the economic and social benefits of investing in WASH infrastructure.
6. Increasing efficiency, for example, preventive maintenance to reduce investments in major maintenance (CapManEx).
7. Using repayable finance, for example, loans from banks and microfinance institutions
8. Implementing robust monitoring systems to track progress, measure impact, and ensure accountability and using data-driven insights to refine strategies and allocate resources efficiently.

The process

The three woredas developed long-term WASH master plans during 2018-2019, aiming for universal, safe, equitable, and sustainable WASH services by 2030, with support from the Sustainable WASH Project (SWP). The estimated total budget required for full WASH coverage over 12 years (2019-2030) is one billion birr for Dera, 1.2 billion birr for Farta, and 1.6 billion birr for North Mecha.

In 2019, IRC WASH conducted a WASH budget and expenditure tracking exercise in each woreda to evaluate their progress against the long-term WASH master plan. The funding gap revealed that budget allocations were significantly lower than anticipated in the master plan: only 26.9% for Dera, 40.6% for Farta, and 20.72% for North Mecha.

Given the significant WASH financing gap, IRC WASH, in consultation with the three SWP woredas, the two zones (South Gonder and North Gojjam), the Regional Water and Energy Bureau and NGOs, has proposed to support the woredas in mobilising resources. This support includes technical assistance to develop a resource mobilisation strategy (RMS) and coaching and follow-up support to pilot the implementation.

To develop a resource mobilisation strategy, the three woredas formed a team to participate in the strategy development process. IRC WASH provided training to the teams on the process and methods for the development of a resource mobilisation strategy. Then the team conducted consultative meetings with woreda WASH actors to get input for the draft strategy document. Subsequently, the teams shared a draft document with the people who participated in the second phase of woreda-level consultative meetings and received feedback. The final version was endorsed in the presence of woreda, zone and regional WASH sector leadership.

By adopting these resource mobilisation strategies, we can accelerate progress towards achieving universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2030. Each contribution, whether financial, technical, material or labour plays a crucial role in transforming lives and building resilient communities in the three woredas.

As Endalkachew Wondie, Farta Woreda’s resource mobilisation team coordinator said, ”based on the resource mobilisation strategy which dictates the involvement of private sector, the woreda approached Gashaw, a businessman in Debre Tabor town, to support water scheme maintenance. Gashaw supported the maintenance of one water scheme in Semena Kebele.’’ Farta Woreda is sharing the strategy document with NGOs such as the Organisation for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA) to show the gaps. 

Play your role

The resource mobilisation strategies highlight the necessity for diverse stakeholder involvement to attain universal WASH access in the three woredas. Therefore, we invite you to join the movement to prioritise WASH initiatives in the three woredas and contribute to their success by advocating for WASH financing, policy reforms, encouraging local and international NGOs and donors to provide financial support. Together, we can ensure that every individual in the three woredas has access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and the dignity they are entitled to.