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Shared Principles for Universal WASH

IRC, WaterAid and Water for People's shared principles for driving the systemic change necessary for Universal Access by 2030

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Children washing hands

Quick Guide: IRC's Approach

Delivering good water, sanitation and hygiene services not just to a few people for a while but to everyone forever requires a fundamental shift in the way we all think and work together.

Quick guide to IRC's Approach

Changing the whole system

To deliver services that last, the whole system of individuals, organisations, technologies and the institutions that link them needs to work more effectively.

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sector learning

Working together for change

Real-life change requires change by individuals and organisations. Learning alliances are helping make this happen, by engaging people in joint and  collective learning, planning and action.

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collective learning

Service delivery requirements

Despite decades of investment, universal, sustainable services are not a reality; in too many cases, services do not even meet the most basic requirements. This needs to change.

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rural water supply services in Ghana chart

News and information

See 153 articles
Water purification plant in Latin America

Are you a systems thinking genius or novice?

In order to reach the Sustainable Development Goals for water and sanitation we need a systems...

IRC and DGIS staff celebrate signing of new 5 year partnership

Dutch government renews partnership with IRC in support of the Sustainable Development Goal for water and sanitation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributes 4.8 million euros to fund IRC's programmatic aims.

Handpump mechanics, Baluku Ramathan and Balyebuga Steven, working in Kabarole district, Uganda

IRC's Annual Report 2016

The 2012-16 business plan was the last of its kind. It will be replaced by a broad strategic...

IRC newsletter amplify

Introducing Amplify, IRC’s new newsletter on all things systems in WASH

Amplify will provide a monthly update on IRC's WASH systems agenda: stories, analysis and resources...


Blogs

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Why was Matt Damon playing a World Banker in Washington DC?

The critical decisions facing SWA, the Sanitation and Water for All partnership.

Matt Damon at SWA High-level Meeting
Patrick Moriarty
Published on: 14/07/2017

Shouted at by water users and shouting for support

The challenges of small town water supply and the need for systemic change: the case of Gazer town.

Ethiopia
Ato Mantegabtot Negash, the manager of the Gazer Town Water Utility
Marieke Adank
Published on: 03/07/2017

Resources

See 172 resources

IRC annual report 2016

2017
This report marks the end of IRC's 2012-2016...

Exit strategy : what exit strategy?

2017
Similar to multinationals, IRC as an...

IRC strategy framework 2017-30 : building WASH systems to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals

2017
This document presents IRC's overarching...

Taking a systems approach in the WASH sector

2017
Podcast featuring Patrick Moriarty and Stef Smits...

Using knowledge for improving water, sanitation and hygiene services in West and Central Africa

2016
Paper underlining the importance of learning for...

IRC Monitoring report 2015

2016
Detailed information about IRC's progress made in...


Videos

It's about the systems stupid

We rely on complex systems, but we are "systems blind". Patrick Moriarty at TedXDenHelder, talking about the need to wake up and open our eyes and realize that in reality, strong systems are the most sustainable solution.

Working for change in Uganda

In Uganda, IRC is supporting local and national government to ensure that people get better water, sanitation and hygiene services. We believe that government needs to be empowered to create systems that make these services sustainable. We are working with WaterAid and Water For People in an alliance called WASH Agenda for Change to make this happen.