As part of building our understanding and possibilities for cross-learning on decentralised governance in South Asia, we will be capturing good practices and reflections from various countries in this region.
Published on: 29/10/2024
Introduction by Ruchika Shiva, Director – IRC South Asia Regional Programme to a guest blog by Indira Adhikari (WASH Program Manager, NARMIN):
Functional institutions are key to the delivery of sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in communities. Institutional arrangements, the capacity within institutions, coordination and communication (across departments and levels) are factors that determine the strength of the WASH system in a context. Any weakness therein leads to wastage of (limited) resources and hampers delivery of sustainable services to all in the communities.
The institutional arrangements depend on the type of governance model - centralised or decentralised, and the level of devolution. An understanding of this is key in a systems approach - to engage with key institutions/ministries/departments that are responsible for water and sanitation services, and those institutions that provide support.
As part of building our understanding and possibilities for cross-learning on decentralised governance in South Asia, we will be capturing good practices and reflections from various countries in this region. The following write-up is by Indira Adhikari discussing the role of the National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (NARMIN) in strengthening the WASH system in Nepal.
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Guest blog by Indira Adhikari (WASH Program Manager, NARMIN)
Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental right guaranteed under Nepal's Constitution of 2015. The provision of safe and sustainable WASH services can make a significant contribution to improved health, nutrition, and education in families and communities. Apart from WASH services that focus on infrastructure delivery, more focus should be on strengthening WASH governance at all levels (local, provincial, and federal).
The National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (NARMIN), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Supply, the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management, Provincial Ministries, and development partners, is dedicated to strengthening the WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) sector at the local government level. This effort encompasses policy formulation, capacity enhancement, and institutional support for local governments, all aimed at achieving the shared objective of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.
As the umbrella organisation representing 460 rural municipalities (RMs) across the country, NARMIN also supports the development of the Functional Assignment (Unbundling Report), which delineates the specific roles and responsibilities of federal, provincial, and local governments. While making local governments solely responsible for WASH service delivery, the Constitution of Nepal, additionally, provides the distinct and shared rights of the three tiers of government.
NARMIN collaborates with various stakeholders and development partners to enhance governance within the WASH sector in rural municipalities. Notably, our partnership with UNICEF, since 2021, under the Accelerating the Federalization of WASH Sector Governance in Rural Municipalities programme, has focused on improving and accelerating WASH system governance at the local level. This initiative concentrates on the following key areas:
These initiatives are aimed at enabling rural municipalities to deliver effective WASH services, while ensuring inclusion and leaving no one behind. Furthermore, the project is geared to achieve greater intergovernmental collaboration in WASH.
Though this project began in 30 RMs, it has already spread to 35 more RMs, covering all seven provinces of the country. The primary focus of the project is on strengthening WASH governance, which includes policy interventions, institutional structure, monitoring systems, and capacity building in the WASH sector.
NARMIN has developed a draft model WASH Act applicable to RMs, distributed to all 460 RMs in the country. Additionally, NARMIN has disseminated applicable WASH standards, guidelines, and directives to the RMs. Over 80 RMs have endorsed these policies through their assemblies and are currently implementing them. NARMIN continues to support, advocate, and boost efforts for local government issues.
NARMIN has organised WASH interaction programmes at the provincial level to foster coordination, collaboration, and coexistence among the three tiers of government, as mandated by the constitution. These initiatives aim to enhance the shared objectives of the WASH sector policies and plans across the country.
WASH plans, which serve as critical benchmarks for WASH governance and provide comprehensive roadmaps for achieving Sustainable Development Goal targets, are currently being developed by most local governments. Both federal and provincial governments have allocated conditional budgets for this purpose as well, and NARMIN is advocating for the inclusion of these plans in the annual planning and budgeting of local governments.
To enhance WASH standards across all the programmes implemented, as well as some beyond the programme RMs, each municipality has appointed a WASH focal person responsible for overseeing and implementing WASH-related activities and initiatives.
Due to various constraints, this role has often been assigned as an additional responsibility to current staff members rather than hiring new dedicated personnel. Several RMs have created dedicated WASH units to manage these responsibilities better. However, not all RMs have followed this model due to limited office space, infrastructure constraints and financial management issues.
Consequently, RMs have integrated WASH responsibilities into their existing organisational structures. While this approach allows them to address WASH needs without overextending their physical and financial capacities, it limits the effectiveness and focus that a dedicated WASH unit could provide.
Effective implementation and regulation of the programme requires robust monitoring mechanisms. The Federal Ministry of Water Supply of Nepal has established an integrated data collection and information mechanism, which serves as a benchmark for WASH governance and system strengthening. This system is also a useful tool to develop NWASH plans and includes information on WASH and healthcare facilities across the country. It also provides a roadmap for WASH budget allocation from both federal and provincial governments to RMs. Around 560 local governments (out of 753) have been covered by this system. It is the common effort of the Federal Ministry of Water Supply, the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management, NARMIN, the Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN) and the development partners. NARMIN itself has prepared a monitoring Mechanism Framework that is also applicable to local government.
NARMIN is committed to addressing capacity gaps in local governments. To strengthen WASH systems at the local level, various activities have been undertaken to address technological and methodological gaps in service delivery. Training and orientation sessions have been conducted for members of thematic committees, WASH sector staff, and technical training for WASH focal persons in RMs.
Achieving water quality standards is a target of SDG 6. To this end, technical training on water quality testing mechanisms at the local level has been provided. Some RMs have established water quality labs and are operating smoothly.
The capacity building programmes for local governments have supported various key activities, including planning processes, budget allocation for WASH initiatives, policy interventions, construction and implementation of WASH infrastructure, establishment of monitoring mechanisms, regulatory systems, and overall system strengthening of local government in the WASH sector.
Since 2021, NARMIN has meticulously prepared and distributed an annual working calendar tailored to local governments. This comprehensive roadmap serves as a strategic guide, enabling local governments to efficiently plan and achieve their objectives. By providing clear timelines and actionable goals, the calendar has become an indispensable tool in the effective administration and governance of local municipalities. The initiative has significantly enhanced the capacity of local governments to meet their targets and deliver improved services to their communities.
The comprehensive approach adopted—ranging from policy interventions to capacity development—ensures that RMs are better equipped to provide inclusive and efficient WASH services. The creation of WASH plans aligned with SDG 6, coupled with improved intergovernmental collaboration, paves the way for sustainable progress in the sector.
While constraints such as limited infrastructure and financial resources pose challenges, the integration of WASH responsibilities into existing organisational structures has proven to be a practical solution. Nonetheless, continuous support and advocacy are crucial to further enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.
The collaboration with UNICEF represents a significant step forward in ensuring access to safe water and sanitation in Nepal. By focusing on legislative frameworks, institutional structures, data management, and capacity building, the project addresses key challenges in the WASH sector.
Ultimately, the alignment of common goals and targets among stakeholders not only empowers local governments but also advances the broader objectives of health, education, and poverty reduction in Nepal. By fostering a robust governance framework for water, sanitation, and hygiene, the project is laying a solid foundation for sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for all citizens.
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