Partnerships - Lessons Learned Partnerships - Lessons Learned Steen Bjerggaard IWA WOPs Coordinator Global WOPs Alliance Foundation Meeting Nairobi, January 2009

Main Objectives of a WOP Introduce good governance and strengthen company capacities to achieve:  Sound financial mechanisms & transparency  Strong management and operational capacities  Clear and distinct regulations of the water services  Sustainable operations WOPs CONCEPT

WOPs at various levels Simple Partnerships: Exchange of knowledge and resources Study visits, Training programmes and Workshops PIP and WSP Formal Partnerships: Technical Assistance Programmes Corporate Development Programmes Collaboration Agreement, Associations and Joint Stock Companies, etc WOPs CONCEPT

A WOP could cover issues such as: Corporate Development Organisational changes and Human Resources Development Management Information System (MIS) Financial Performance (Bookkeeping. Assets Management, Billing & Collection) Operational Performance (Metering and Energy Efficiency programmes, NRW, etc.) Environmental Performance Project Management Public Information and Awareness.

IWA’s role and WOPs Workplan Role: Support the Global WOPs Alliance Support water operators and their networks Workplan: 1.Define a IWA platform for the work 2.Establish a knowledge base on WOPs 3.Coordinate work in the regions 4.Facilitate a number of WOPs 5.Disseminate the progress and results WORKPLAN

Establish knowledge base The IWA Self Assessment Format – a web based Questionnaire The WaterLinks website – a collaboration between USAID (ECO-Asia), ADB and IWA Benchmarking activities and Workshops (WOP-Africa, WOP-LAC) Events, Conferences, Workshops etc. Guiding papers at the web 2. Knowledge base

Partnering with Regional Networks Africa: –AfWA + IWA-ESAR  WOP-Africa East Asia & the Pacific –WaterLinks Network –SEAWUN South Asia –SAWUN LAC Region –AIDIS Middle East –ACWUA Europe –Key players –EUREAU The Bonn Network –Water Safety Plans 3. Coordinate work

Capacity building around the Baltic Sea - a Nordic example Public Water Utilities Consultants Contractors Specialists Universities Financiers Owners Customers and Media WOPs CONCEPT

Contributions of a WOP Enhancing company overall performance Engaging own staff in know-how transfer Creating mutual benefits for the partners Improving quality and reliability of services Providing best possible service without subsidies Facilitating financing and implementation of investment projects Assisting to fulfil financier’s obligations

Obstacles in WOP Lack of political support Lack of financing (Competition required) Deficient definition of the project/contract Insufficient or late information activity Focusing on technical problems in stead of finances, quality and service level

The way forward è Use existing networks, Internet information, etc. è Work Water Operator to Water Operator è Start with basic collaboration, e.g. on WSP è Secure involved and supportive Politicians (Owners) è Provide early and directed information to your customers about your projects è Establish long-term collaboration to secure a sustainable development è Keep close contacts with Financiers

Thank you!