annual report 2009 - water integrity network report 2009 from global advocacy to local action 09

Annual report 2009From global advocacy to local action

www.waterintegritynetwork.net

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Water Integrity Network, 2010

Water Integrity Network

The Water Integrity Network is an action-oriented coalition of organisations and individuals promoting water integrity to reduce and prevent corruption in the water sector. Its membership includes the public sector, the private sector and civil society, as well as leading knowledge-based organisations and networks in the water sector. WIN is funded by grants from the Governments of Germany (BMZ), The Netherlands (DGIS), Sweden (Sida) and Switzerland (SDC). The WIN Secretariat is hosted by Transparency International in Berlin, Germany.

www.waterintegritynetwork.net

Acknowledgements This Annual Report was written by the Water Integrity Network (WIN) staff, including Teun Bastemeijer, Priya Behrens-Shah, Maël Castellan, Sarah Kaufmann, Jenni Laxén, Alexandra Malmqvist, Erik Nielsen and Birke Otto. Additional sections were written by John Butterworth and Håkan Tropp. The report was edited by Stephanie Debere and designed by Jens Christiansen and Tania Dunster from Onehemisphere.se. WIN would like to thank its members, partners, donors and its International Steering Committee members for their continued support in 2009.

© 2010 Water Integrity Network. All rights reserved. Printed on 100% recycled paper. Cover image: Village man fetching water from a well and taking to his home in Maharashtra, India. © Vikram Raghuvanshi/Dreamstime Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of February 2010. Nevertheless, the Water Integrity Network cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts.

Annual report 2009From global advocacy to local action

image 1 Maintaining rice fields in Vietnam. © HowenSia/Istock image 2 Household cleaning water in India. © Sean Warren/Istock image 3 Buying black market water, Luena, Angola. Image courtesy of WEDC. © Wayne Conradie. image 4 Dam in Kazakhstan. © Kai Wegerich

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ACRONyMS 4

ForEWord 5

1. 2009: A YEAr oF TrANsITIoN – FroM globAl AdVoCACY To loCAl ACTIoN 6

2. rEAChINg ouT For WATEr INTEgrITY – WIN MEMbErs ANd PArTNErs 8

2.1. WIN membership 2009 9 2.2. WIN strategic partnerships 10

3. globAl AdVoCACY – rAIsINg AWArENEss 12

3.1. Advocacy toolkit 13 3.2. Mainstreaming anti-corruption at international events 13 3.3. Communication in action 14 3.4. Case information sheets 15 3.5. overview of WIN communications tools 16

4. dIAgNosINg CorruPTIoN ANd rAIsINg CAPACITIEs – dEVEloPINg INTEgrITY Tools ANd TrAININg 17

4.1. Water Integrity studies 18 4.2. Integrity pacts and the Integrity Pact Manual for the Water sector 19 4.3. Capacity development 20

5. rEgIoNAl ANd loCAl ProCEssEs – buIldINg WATEr INTEgrITY CoAlITIoNs oN ThE grouNd 21

5.1. small grants Fund 22 5.2. Country-based coalition building 24

6. sTrATEgIC dEVEloPMENT 26

6.1. Country-based initiatives strategy 27 6.2. Communications strategy 28

7. FINANCIAl rEPorT 29

7.1. WIN donor dialogues at stockholm World Water Week, 2009 30 7.2. budget 30

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AFd Agence Française du Développement

bAWIN Bangladesh Water Integrity Network

bMZ Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany

bWP Bangladesh Water Partnership

CIs Case Information Sheet

Cso Civil Society Organisation

dAI Development Alternatives, Inc.

usAId United States Agency for International Development

dANIdA Danish International Development Agency

dfId UK Department for International Development

dgIs Netherlands Directorate-General of Development Cooperation

FrI Farm Radio International

gCr Global Corruption Report

gWA Gender and Water Alliance

gWP The Global Water Partnership

IAdb Inter-American Development Bank

IP Integrity Pact

IrC The International Water and Sanitation Centre

IWA The International Water Association

IWrM Integrated Water Resources Management

Mdg United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals Mou Memorandum of Understanding

rAs-hoN Red de Agua y Saneamiento (Honduras)

sdC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

sida Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

sIWI Stockholm International Water Institute

slWP Sri Lanka Water Partnership

sgF Small Grants Fund

sNV Netherlands Development Organisation

TI Transparency International

TI-b Transparency International Bangladesh

uN United Nations

uNdP United Nations Development Programme

uWIN Uganda WIN

WArPo Water Resource Planning Organisation

WgF UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI

WIN Water Integrity Network

WssCC The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council


ACRONyMS

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TEuN bAsTEMEIjEr WIN director

The year 2009 has been an exciting one for WIN, as well as for me personally. Though we have little doubt that WIN is heading in the right direction for promoting integrity and transparency in water for the good of all, building it as an organisation and as an active network remains a challenge for the International Steering Committee, as well as WIN’s small secretariat in Berlin.

This is not just about the organisation and the wider network as such, but about making sure that they can collectively make a difference and contribute to promoting strategies and measures that help contain corruption and have a positive and lasting impact, in the spirit of the UN Millennium Declaration (for poverty reduction and a better world).

Through the very encouraging reactions of WIN’s financial and strategic partners, as well as individual and corporate members, it is clear that a widening group of stakeholders believes that WIN can meet the challenge of implementing its Strategic Framework for Action. During 2009, I hope WIN made it clear and visible that it is serious about this and can make progress, in spite of a considerable funding gap as compared with targets.

The solution to this capacity and financial issue is to keep strategic focus and work with others who can and are willing to help. During 2009, WIN engaged in excellent dialogues with other networks and members’ groups in regions and countries. Its small, motivated and relatively young team is looking forward to the continuation of this process, and is keen to make a difference through partnerships and in building coalitions for water integrity and transparency.

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Foreword

håkAN TroPP Chair of the WIN International steering Committee

Since the initiation of the Water Integrity Network (WIN), issues of anti-corruption and accountability have gained increasing recognition and higher visibility on water development agendas. A growing number of governments and organisations are now including anti-corruption in their strategies and programmes.

WIN has taken important steps from global to local action. The year saw the formation of WIN country coalitions, such as in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda. The unique niche and mandate of WIN puts it in a very good position to build bridges between water networks and organisations and transparency and accountability movements. The cooperation agreement between Transparency International (TI) and WIN was important for consolidating the partnership between these communities. WIN will continue to pursue global and local cooperation and coordination.

Water integrity work has so far focused on water supply and sanitation, but partnerships are now being built up in other areas, including irrigation, hydropower and integrated water resources management. With the growing awareness that adaptation to climate change must involve tackling water and governance issues, this will be another important area to engage in – without losing WIN’s focus on water integrity.

As a network, WIN also faces the challenges of growing expectations and demands. In response, it needs to strengthen its organisation and capacities to deliver where it matters most: positive change for poor people. This not only relates to building up the secretariat and global partnerships, but especially to governance issues and coalition building in countries and regions. In relation to this, the composition of the steering committee has changed during 2009 to better reflect the current stage of WIN’s development. The work to promote water integrity and accountability may not always provide instant gratification. I am therefore very grateful for the work done by tireless WIN members and partners and the support of our WINning donors, who have proven to be real partners in dialogue and the promotion of water integrity.


1. 2009: A Year of TransitionFrom global advocacy to local action

local women collecting water in udaipur, rajasthan, India. © www.onehemisphere.se

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1“Corruption in the water sector can raise the investment costs of achieving the Millennium development goals target for water and sanitation by almost $50 billion.”global Corruption report, 2008

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A YEAr oF TrANsITIoN

WIN’s main goal is to contribute to the achievement of the MDG by reducing corruption in the water sector, through a partnership approach. 2009 was a year of transition for WIN. Having succeeded in informing a wide group of international water networks and organisations about corruption in the water sector and in advocating for transparency, in 2009 WIN developed and implemented strategies at a local level. One of the main achievements throughout the year was an increasingly active presence at country level, with the formation of country coalitions and direct support to local members. Moreover, WIN being a network that works closely with its members and partners, it focused not only on maintaining existing strategic partnerships but also on strengthening them with the development of cooperation agreements.

Global advocacy remained a crucial pillar of WIN activities. In 2009, it raised awareness of the negative effects of corruption at World Water Week in Stockholm and at the World Water Forum in Istanbul. The importance of the water sector’s role in reducing the negative effects of climate change became increasingly clear at these events. WIN continued to advocate for transparent measures in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

2009 was also a year for developing tools to support the fight against corruption, at both local and global levels. These include the production of an Advocacy Guide toolkit, various studies and the documentation of good practices, the organisation of seminars and the finalisation of the pilot phase of the WIN Small Grants Fund programme. Some activities have given rise to a number of excellent water integrity promotion tools. As WIN is constantly evolving and learning, 2010 will bring a new set of tools for the global and local fight against corruption in the water sector.

The composition of the WIN International Steering Committee changed to reflect the evolving activities of WIN. WIN welcomed Mrs. Ania Grobicki, Mr. Ravi Narayanan and Mrs. Kathleen Shordt as new members to its international steering committee (ISC) whilst John Butterworth stepped down. The new members were co-opted in October 2009 by current ISC members Mr. Håkan Tropp (WIN Chair), Jack Moss, Donal O’Leary, Melody Diobodo Ogwezzy and Ramesh Kumar Sharma.

WhY doEs CorruPTIoN IN ThE WATEr sECTor NEEd To bE AddrEssEd?

Water is a thirst quencher, a crop grower and a power generator; it is fundamental to hygiene and a basic natural resource, vital for our daily existence and for human survival. Water is also a foundation for development. Without it, there can be no economic growth, no industry, no hydropower, no agriculture and no cities. Investing in water governance and infrastructure means investing in jobs, agriculture and food security, education, gender empowerment and environmental equity, as well as reducing infant mortality and improving health and a host of other factors commonly seen as pre-requisites of progress.

Too often, this investment is blocked by corruption. Corruption keeps the poor in poverty and makes the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG) impossible to achieve. To date, clean drinking water remains unobtainable for nearly 1.2 billion people around the world. This is not due to scarcity, but rather to a lack of good governance. In many countries up to 50 per cent or more of water goes unaccounted for due to unmonitored leakages from pipes and canals, unauthorised connections from the rich and illegal tapping by the poor. The water crisis is a governance crisis with corruption at its core.

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“droughT! because of the lack of water ground cracked commonly appear in the “high sertão” of the state of Alagoas, brazil. Temperatures reach up to 45° C during the long summer, in addition to no rain. © Pablo Alfredo de Luca

1Water Integrity Network, 2010

2. reaching out for water integrityWIN members and partners

Village children near ouidah, benin. © Peeter Viisimaa/Istock

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2“If you act alone, you will be targeted. Form groups first.”jasper Tumuhımbıse, Anti-Corruption Coalition uganda and WIN member

WIN membership, by category

WIN membership, by region

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2.1. WIN MEMbErshIP 2009

WIN is a membership-based organisation that welcomes both organisations and individuals from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, as members. WIN is committed to the principles of accountability, transparency, integrity, honesty, mutual support and knowledge exchange among members. These are characteristics to which all members should adhere by signing the Code of Conduct, which aims to unite the network.

The added value of being a WIN member consists of support from a global network that has drawn experience from a wide variety of countries and regions in terms of local action against corrupt practices, knowledge sharing, capacity development and learning through workshops and training for members; the possibilities of financial aid or fundraising support for water integrity action on the ground, and an improved knowledge and information base which members can use or contribute to.

WIN’s membership continued growing in 2009, reaching a total of 760 members in five continents. The biggest growth was in Africa, but the number of members in Latin America and South-East Asia also increased. Importantly, some large networks and organisations also joined WIN, increasing its global reach.

The majority of members in 2009 still comprised individuals; however there was growth in corporate membership, especially during and after international events such as the World Water Forum in Istanbul and World Water Week in Stockholm, and different country missions conducted by the WIN secretariat.

During 2009, WIN members were actively involved in its work through different activities, such as capacity-building workshops in cooperation with WIN partners in Berlin, The Hague and Pretoria; panels, seminars and workshops at different international and regional conferences, including the World Water Forum, World Water Week, the AGUA 2009 conference in Colombia and the IWA Development Congress in Mexico City (where WIN members were invited to speak on integrity issues), and through various scoping missions and members’ meetings organised in different countries, mostly in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

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In 2010, WIN will continue to work on developing communications with members and sharing information about water integrity issues and WIN activities around the world. One challenge will be to conduct a second membership survey, the first having taken place during summer 2008. This survey will lead to a reorganisation of the membership structure, dividing members into two categories (pending members and those who have signed WIN’s code of conduct), trying to harmonise the division between the five membership constituencies (Users of water services; Public sector services; The private sector; Knowledge, research and advocacy services; and Financiers and donors). A new membership database will also be created as a result of the survey, in order to facilitate information sharing and contact between members and ease the administrative process in handling membership issues.

<Individual

<Organisation headquarters

<Organisation representatives

<Undefined

41%

36%

16%

7%

<Africa

<Americas

<Asia

<Europe

<Oceania 1%

33%

20%

31%

15%

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Cap-Net

Cap-Net is the UNDP-funded network for capacity development in integrated water resources management. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between WIN and Cap-Net in 2009. In June 2009 WIN supported a few of its members to participate in Cap-Net’s training course in Pretoria, South Africa, for transparency, accountability and integrity in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). Since then, WIN and Cap-Net have been in constant communication about how to improve the coordination of capacity development initiatives. At the WIN seminar at Stockholm World Water Week, Cap-Net’s representative Kees Leendertse gave positive feedback on the training course and the great potential of a WIN/Cap-Net collaboration. Now, with the signing of this agreement, WIN looks forward to collaborating, capitalising on respective strengths, resources and experience, and developing a joint action plan for 2010 which will include a number of regional training sessions and a strategy for jointly attracting donor funding.

The International Water and sanitation Centre (IrC)

The IRC was founded to support knowledge sharing about access to and the maintenance of water and sanitation services in developing countries. The IRC is one of WIN’s founding members and a crucial partner for promoting integrity in the water and sanitation sector. In 2009, WIN and IRC worked closely together in researching and collecting news through which to inform the public about the disastrous effects of corruption in the water sector. Moreover, IRC-Uganda played a fundamental role in establishing UWIN (Uganda WIN). An MoU was recently signed between the IRC and WIN as a step to increase country-based and global collaboration in promoting integrity in the water sector.

2.2. WIN sTrATEgIC PArTNErshIPs

Many water sector organisations have recognised the importance of effective water governance, yet the broad and imprecise meaning of the term often leaves efforts for more effective governance uncoordinated among a diverse set of actors in the sector. Responding to the need for more clarification and effective coordination in water governance, WIN has created strong partnerships to promote anti-corruption activities. Rather than focusing on designing and establishing new programmes, WIN aims to support existing integrity initiatives, encourage other organisations to join these initiatives and advocate for the integration of anti-corruption measures into their agendas.

In 2009, WIN initiated or established new partnerships and consolidated existing ones, to build on the strength of these organisations to raise awareness and implement water integrity programmes.


WIN Young Professionals Network

WIN is currently exploring the development of a young Professionals Network. This network would focus on water integrity issues, to help support and stimulate the development of water integrity discourse and deeper studies in international academic and professional institutions, as well as raise awareness of water integrity issues among current and future professionals.

It is anticipated that this form of capacity development intervention, targeted chiefly at people under the age of 30, will be very important in the long-term fight against corruption, and will help develop a new generation of professionals who can actively and effectively manage water integrity issues. The network is expected to become active during 2010.

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The International Water Association (IWA)

The IWA is a global network that reaches more than 10,000 water professionals and covers all aspects of the water sector. This platform allows WIN to make direct contact with water professionals, in particular those located where water sector corruption occurs. IWA participated in several panels led by WIN at the World Water Forum and Stockholm World Water Week. At the first IWA Development Congress, WIN held a workshop on Water Integrity, Accountability and Transparency. A common objective of both WIN and IWA is to educate young Water Professionals on corruption issues, as young people will shape and determine the future of the water sector.

Transparency International (TI)

TI is a coalition-led global civil society movement with the goal of fighting corruption at all levels in all sectors and promoting transparency and integrity. Since the foundation of the Water Integrity Network in 2006, TI has been its host in Berlin, Germany. During World Water Week in Stockholm in August 2009, WIN and TI formalised their partnership by signing an agreement to reinforce their collaboration. The agreement was signed by WIN’s Chair Håkan Tropp and by TI’s Vice-Chair Akere Tabeng Muna. With this strengthened partnership, TI and WIN emphasise the importance of building strategic alliances for water integrity at global, regional and country levels. At the global level both organisations will continue to advocate jointly for the inclusion of water integrity in the global water agenda. At regional and local levels, WIN and TI promote and stimulate country-based initiatives by supporting local coalitions and programmes.

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global Water Partnership (gWP)

The GWP is a not-for-profit action network with more than 1,800 partner organisations around the world. Four main strategic goals were identified to address water-related challenges facing the world today: to promote water as a key part of sustainable national development; to address critical development challenges; to reinforce knowledge-sharing and communications, and to build a more effective network. GWP’s executive secretary has joined WIN’s International Steering Committee and the cooperation with WIN in the organisation’s new 2009-13 strategy.

The Water supply and sanitation Collaborative Council (WssCC)

The WSSCC supports WIN’s outreach model to promote water integrity and governance principles, as well as its values and objectives. WSSCC is keen to raise awareness of the importance of water integrity in the sanitation sector. In November 2009, in anticipation of the annual International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, Jon Lane (WSSCC Executive Director) and Teun Bastemeijer (Director of WIN) gave a joint interview discussing the most pressing corruption issues in the sanitation sector, for dissemination online and to members.

Farm radio International (FrI)

FRI is a Canadian charitable organisation that supports African radio broadcasters to strengthen small-scale farming and rural communities. In 2009, WIN and FRI teamed up to start developing Water Integrity Radio Resource Packages, which will be distributed in 2010. The packages will contain information about how to take action on water integrity issues and will be distributed to more than 325 African broadcasters, reaching some 35 million rural people in Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. global advocacyraising awareness

drinking water kept outside the house in Nepal. © ALiJA/Istock

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3“Preventing corruption from taking root is less costly and complicated than having to tackle the problems once they begin.”global Corruption report, 2008

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3.2. MAINsTrEAMINg ANTI-CorruPTIoN AT INTErNATIoNAl EVENTs

In 2009 WIN’s global-level advocacy and communications remained a key focus as a means of promoting and showing the value of water integrity and of positioning WIN as the leading international network fighting corruption in the water sector. International events were part of an important set of ways to mainstream anti-corruption in different policy circles and all water sub-sectors. Three international highlights were the World Water Forum 2009, World Water Week 2009 and the 1st IWA Development Congress.

World Water Forum 2009 in Istanbul

The WIN session Beyond Water Bribes: how to build a corruption-resistant water sector focused on water-related development issues in their broadest sense, including water supply, environmental sanitation, water resources management, hydropower and irrigation, and ethical issues throughout the water development chain, from the global level down to consumers. Panellists including a diverse range of respected speakers from the water sector argued that poor accountability and the lack of integrity in decision-making open the door to corruption in the sector. As a result, huge proportions of investment are lost or inappropriate technologies are put in place with higher overall costs.

3.1. AdVoCACY ToolkIT

There is an urgent need to campaign against corruption and build integrity in the water sector. WIN’s Advocacy Guide toolkit has been produced for everyone who wants to become more active in enhancing, enabling and enforcing water integrity, including WIN’s global partners and international water organisations (who are urged to incorporate water integrity into their agendas); local WIN members who promote integrity on the ground; and journalists, academics and concerned citizens who are exasperated by the corruption they witness in the water sector. The guide comprises five modules with various engaging, stimulating ideas and hands-on exercises for individuals and groups who want to get started in advocating for water integrity.

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WIN partners discussing water integrity at the World Water Forum. © WIN

The WIN Advocacy guide has been produced to support anyone who wants to fight corruption in the water sector.


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3.3. CoMMuNICATIoN IN ACTIoN

2009 saw the expansion and development of WIN’s communications and research work. Building a steady base with an active and outward-focused website, a comprehensive range of regular publications and a variety of multimedia projects, WIN sought to gain a key position as an information source at the global level, as well as to provide support and tools for local action.

Water Integrity – Visualised

The goal of Water Integrity – Visualised, a photographic project during the first half of 2009, was to offer a visual insight into the often abstract subject that is corruption in water. From more than 60 competition entries, six photographers were shortlisted, each with a range of powerful images. The winner, Australia’s Gregory Wait, was given the award during World Water Week 2009. The shortlisted and winning photographs are widely used by WIN and partners as a strong visual tool to increase the impact of their global and local action.


Winner: gregory Wait, Australia. The buriganga river flows through dhaka, capital of bangladesh. People wash and fish in this poisonous river. Thousands of tonnes of human sewage and industrial waste flow into the river daily, but the government is taking no action. © Gregory Wait

World Water Week 2009, stockholm

WIN members and partners, supported by the WIN Secretariat, used World Water Week as an opportunity to urge greater transparency in the water sector. At the WIN seminar Improving Integrity by Building Partnerships, WIN members and partners discussed measures such as local control, increased protection of whistleblowers and institutionalisation of accountability procedures as essential for effective water integrity. They also pressed international financial institutions and other donor communities to place an increased focus on integrity in development assistance and encouraged these institutions to monitor the water industry – both public and private – more closely. The seminar was organised in cooperation with WIN partners GWP, SIWI, WSSCC, UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI (WGF) and the IWA.

1st IWA development Congress 2009

As a part of the IWA’s 2009 Congress in Mexico, WIN organised a workshop on water integrity, accountability and transparency. Its focus was to highlight various strategies to promote water integrity by drawing on examples from around the world, through a keynote speech by Transparencia Mexicana (TI Mexico) and four presentations by RAS-HON (Honduras), IRC (The Netherlands), UN-HABITAT (Kenya) and ISAGEN (a Colombian member of the International Hydropower Association). In addition, the workshop was used as a platform to showcase and debate various approaches to combating corruption in the water sector, through a panel discussion chaired by WSP (Nicaragua).

Transparency International’s board Vice-Chair Akere T. Muna highlights the importance of water integrity at the high-level panel of the stockholm World Water Week 2009. © SIWI

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3.4. CAsE INForMATIoN shEETs

WIN’s Case Information Sheets (CIS) inform members and partners about water integrity by looking into specific country-based and/or project-based cases. Each CIS introduces a specific project, gives an explanation of the corruption problems linked to that country and project, proposes anti-corruption strategies and finally offers lessons learnt from that specific case. In 2009, the WIN released four new CIS. The first looked at improving transparency and accountability in a public water utility through citizen participation in Bolivia; the second presented the regulation of public utilities in Colombia; the third examined citizens’ efforts for better access to adequate water and sanitation services in Uganda, and the fourth introduced a Berlin-based initiative to prevent corruption in the management and distribution of water in the region.

The Colours of Corruption

During its annual attendance at World Water Week in Stockholm, WIN gave visitors in 2009 an opportunity to reflect on corruption in the water sector in an original and interactive way. It offered them a blank canvas and asked them to visualise the concept by painting their individual understanding of it. The result, a combination of nine canvases all divided into smaller squares, is used by WIN as an ongoing communications tool, for example, on its 2009 seasonal greetings card.

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The Colours of Corruption. © Pascall Venot


Case Information sheets explore specific case studies linked to water and corruption.

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3.5. oVErVIEW oF WIN CoMMuNICATIoNs Tools


TOOL

Website

Newsletter

digital library

Case Information sheets

Advocacy guide

The Colours of Corruption

The Voices of Corruption

Water Integrity – Visualised

Postcards

ROLE

With an average of 1870 visitors per month, the WIN website conveys the various aspects of WIN’s mission. It offers a platform for members to meet; information and advocacy tools for fighting corruption in the water sector, and an insight into WIN’s activities.

Bi-monthly newsletter that keeps members and partners up-to-date not only with news from the WIN secretariat but also with relevant events and water and corruption news.

The digital library is found on the WIN website and offers relevant documents giving a deeper understanding of corruption in the water sector.

Case Information Sheets (CIS) give detail about water integrity by looking into specific country-based and/or project-based cases.

The advocacy toolkit was created to help anyone who wants to be more active in the fight against corruption in the water sector. It was produced with the support of several of WIN’s key partners, including TI, and is available on the WIN website.

At World Water Week 2009, this was an invitation to visitors to visualise their understanding of corruption in the water sector. WIN uses the results as a powerful aid to portraying corruption.

During country missions, WIN staff members record small videos entitled The Voices of Corruption which are available on WIN’s website and on its youtube (www.youtube.com/WaterIntegrity) and blip.tv (waterintegrity.blip.tv) channels.

A photographic competition to make the abstract subject of corruption in water more palpable. The images are available on the WIN website.

Two postcards have been widely distributed at different events and meetings, highlighting corruption in the water sector.

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4. diagnosing corruption and raising capacitiesdeveloping integrity tools and training in water integrity

A fisherman examined his net casting it in the polluted waters of a river in shengiu County. After an hour, he caught ten fishes with blisters on their bodies. © Stephen Voss

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“In some countries corruption increases the cost of connecting a household to a water network by more than 30 per cent.”global Corruption report, 2008

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WIN has learned some preliminary lessons from piloting Water Integrity Studies during 2009. Firstly, national ownership of the process is critical. In order for Water Integrity Studies to be best designed and implemented and, most importantly, that the recommendations are meaningfully addressed, an enabling environment must be created by the government. A key component of this is the need for a champion to support a Water Integrity Study from its inception through to its implementation and follow-up. Secondly, a non-confrontational approach must be taken. Given the often sensitive nature of corruption, WIN promotes a balanced, unbiased approach when designing and conducting a Water Integrity Study. Thirdly, integrated multi-stakeholder engagement is fundamental. WIN employs a broad-based partnership approach with government, civil society and private sector actors to ensure greater ownership of the Water Integrity Study and the implementation of its recommendations.

4.1. WATEr INTEgrITY sTudIEs

One of WIN’s first major outputs was its collaboration with TI to produce the Global Corruption Report 2008: Corruption in the Water Sector. The report focused specifically on diagnosing the scale of corruption, as well as proposing anti-corruption action plans, in the water sector. One of its primary recommendations was to undertake Water Integrity Studies that would examine all key actors, institutions, policies and practices that influence and impact integrity in the water sector and its subsectors within a specific country. A Water Integrity Study is an evidence-based process, designed and conducted in close collaboration with various stakeholders, that measures and diagnoses corruption in the water sector. Its conclusions and recommendations can be used by governments and other stakeholders to develop time-bound action plans that can be monitored, to improve performance in the water sector.

The two primary components of a Water Integrity Study are a Risk/Opportunity Mapping Study and a comprehensive Water Integrity Baseline Survey of a specific water sub-sector. The first is a qualitative desk review that examines the overall institutional and organisational landscape, in order to identify institutional bottlenecks, analyse accountability relationships and incentive structures, and provide recommendations on how to improve transparency and accountability in the sector. The Water Integrity Baseline Study is an extensive quantitative study that examines the specific experiences and perceptions of different stakeholder groups via administered survey instruments. This study validates and substantiates the risks identified in the Risk/Opportunity Mapping Study. In addition, the baseline study is designed to be repeated at regular intervals to measure changes in corruption.


The global Corruption report on the water sector was published in 2008 by TI with WIN’s support.

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4.2. INTEgrITY PACTs ANd ThE INTEgrITY PACT MANuAl For ThE WATEr sECTor

Corruption in public contracting has become a serious impediment to the transparent and accountable use of state funds. Therefore, in order to better address corruption within public contracting processes, WIN, in direct collaboration with TI, has developed a manual specifically to assist government officials responsible for such processes.

The Integrity Pact (IP) is a tool developed during the 1990s by TI to help governments, businesses and civil society to better combat corruption in the field of public contracting. It consists of a process that includes an agreement between a government or a government agency and all bidders for a public sector contract.

The IP document sets out rights and obligations to the effect that: neither side will pay, offer, demand or accept bribes, nor that bidders will collude with competitors to obtain the contract, or bribe representatives of the authority while carrying it out. The IP further establishes a monitoring process and a procedure for determining the presence of violations, which carry sanctions as a consequence.

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The purpose of this new manual is to familiarise government officials in charge of public contracting (procurement) processes in the water sector with the IP and to provide them with tools and ideas for its application. With this manual, WIN seeks to assist those leaders and champions within their own governments across the world who are determined to fight against corruption in public contracting in the water sector. The pilot version of this IP manual will be field-tested in 2010, commencing in Uganda.


The IP Manual is a tool to help governments, businesses and civil society fight corruption in the field of public contracting.

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Two training workshops on Strengthening Transparency, Integrity and Accountability: Preventing Corruption in Water were undertaken by the IRC in The Hague in 2009. Following a pilot training workshop in March, a second was held in September. To emphasise follow-up and the intent that capacity development lead to action, this course was reinforced by a WIN-facilitated Action Planning Workshop for the WIN-funded participants, who came from Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Honduras and Nigeria, as well as other participants who wished to attend. With the facilitation of a consultant and the support of three WIN secretariat staff, the participants developed their action plans, drawing on the previous days’ lessons and on advice from the facilitators and other participants.

4.3. CAPACITY dEVEloPMENT

WIN convened a strategic workshop on capacity development for water integrity in Berlin in May 2009, gathering partners from the UNDP-WGF, TI, IBON, GTZ, Cinara, GWP, GWA and UN-Habitat, to deliberate on capacity development needs and solutions. The workshop’s outcome, beyond the elaboration of a capacity development strategy, was the formation of a task force consisting of representatives of GTZ, GWP, TI, SNV Asia and GWA.

A pilot training workshop on Promoting Integrity and Accountability in Water took place in Cape Town in June – jointly organised by Cap-Net, Water-Net and UNDP-WGF at SIWI. WIN funded the participation of three of its members from Liberia and Uganda. Kees Leendertse of Cap-Net joined the WIN seminar at Stockholm World Water Week to report on this initiative. Increased collaboration with Cap-Net eventually led to the signing of an MoU and the formalisation of the partnership.


5Capacity development and Corruption in the water sector Jon Butterworth, International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC)

Corruption can be prevented by strengthening systems of transparency, accountability and integrity. Many tools, guidelines and documented experiences in the water sector are now available - largely due to the activities of WIN members over the past couple of years. Capacity development in this area means encouraging organisations to be active and developing their ability to do so safely. This requires institutional development such as the adoption of codes of conduct, but also skills development through training. Short training courses of three days in preventing corruption were offered by the IRC, with the support of WIN, starting in 2009 for sector professionals. A key role that WIN plays in these efforts is to encourage the sharing of expertise and collaboration between governance-focused organisations like TI chapters and water-sector organisations and professionals.

5. regional and local processesbuilding water integrity coalitions on the ground

Women face problems with no property rights, no housing and lower literacy. “by becoming water pump mechanics we have more control, this helps change people’s attitudes.” sheela singh, Mahoba, India. © Marco Betti

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“National and local efforts by all stakeholders are crucial for anti-corruption reform to take hold and be effective – and for people around the world to feel its positive effects.”global Corruption report, 2008

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5.1. sMAll grANTs FuNd

The pilot phase of the WIN Small Grants Fund (SGF), implemented between March 2008 and August 2009, was successfully completed. It aimed to stimulate and support local action to fight corruption in the water sector, and was targeted at Civil Society Organisation (CSO) members of WIN working in developing and transition countries. After a competitive evaluation of more than 75 applications, 16 grants totalling €85,000 were awarded to CSOs in Africa, East Asia, South Asia and Latin America. Most activities lasted between three to 12 months and focused on enhancing capacity for oversight through raising awareness of citizens’ rights and increased transparency – providing public access to accurate information, mobilising partner groups and/or advocating for reform efforts.

WIN’s evaluation of the pilot phase has been made available. Findings suggest that success in implementation was closely tied to the involvement of a larger number of partners or groups, and to activities with a narrow focus in terms of a specific issue, geographical area and/or the operation of a particular institution, as compared to projects that attempted to tackle water corruption as a whole.

The impacts of the Small Grant Fund included:

» Mobilisation and cooperation

» Capacity development

» Policy enhancement

» Sustainability


Migrant workers in the city of bangalore, India collect water from the leakage of a pipe that carries water to various apartments. These workers lack drinking water facility and so they depend on the available water source. The picture conveys the impact of the failed (corrupted) public distribution system in providing drinking water. © Pattabi Raman

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A sMAll grANT FuNd ProjECT sri lanka

sri lanka Water Partnership (slWP): Corruption a Major Threat to Water security and livelihoods: small grant, €8,000

The SLWP project focused on riverine communities affected by illicit river sand mining. Such mining affects thirty per cent of Sri Lanka’s rivers, with far-reaching repercussions, causing river bank and infrastructure collapse due to subsidence, as well as an altered flow which may pose water security issues for downstream uses, particularly irrigation and fishing. The sand is highly valued by the construction industry, and its illicit mining occurs due to poor regulation, and a lack of effective institutional oversight and enforcement of national sand-mining permit schemes. These problems of poor governance and accountability are compounded by corrupt law enforcement staff, who often turn a blind eye to such activities.

To tackle this, project activities consisted of an integrated package including awareness programmes targeted at the district police, brochures, booklets, posters, video clips and a documentary on the issue. The project was carried out in close collaboration with government departments, the police and regulators. Officers from three provincial police forces are now aware of the corruption issues related to river sand mining, and the local regulator is in the process of developing guidelines for increased monitoring and better licensing arrangements. Most importantly, close relationships have been developed across various local agencies, with community-based organisations and affected communities.

As a result of local initiative and action by the SLWP, as well as substantial support from external collaborators (Cap-Net and NetWater), new national legislation was introduced on illegal river sand mining. Additionally there is strong momentum to gear up the training activities to national level in order to bring about increased behavioural change among law enforcement officers, and a proposal for further follow-up action has been developed.

river sand is highly valued in the construction industry, but illegal mining distorts the water’s flow and causes environmental degradation, threatening people’s water supply downstream. © WIN


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5.2. CouNTrY-bAsEd CoAlITIoN buIldINg

A key WIN approach to combating corruption is to forge coalitions that can effect change in ways that individuals or single organisations are unable to. If corruption in the water sector is to be tackled successfully, it will require the establishment and sustained functioning of coalitions composed of multiple key stakeholders.

WIN continued to perform a critical advocacy role at the global level during 2009, but it has now prioritised scaling-up strategic action and learning at the country level. This has specifically taken the form of catalysing the development of national water integrity coalitions in selected countries throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia. WIN developed a country engagement strategy in 2009, which will be revised during 2010 as additional lessons are learned.

During 2009, WIN conducted country-level scoping or follow-up missions in Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ghana, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda and Viet Nam to explore the feasibility of setting up WIN-facilitated country coalitions in various water sub-sectors. By the end of the year, coalitions had been formally established in Bangladesh and Uganda, with substantial work completed in Nigeria. It is anticipated that by the end of 2010 additional country coalitions will be operational.

The following offers a brief overview of WIN’s collaborative engagement in some of these countries.


WIN’s local action worldwide

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Nepal

The WIN Nepal initiative was started in 2009 and has held a series of workshops and meetings. Still at its initial stage, the coalition is being developed and is supported by the country’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Fund Development Board and by TI Nepal.

WIN Nepal Contact: Erik Nielsen WIN Secretariat Email: [email protected] www.waterintegritynetwork.net

West Africa

In November 2009, WIN secretariat staff visited Burkina Faso for a series of meetings with local and regional NGOs, embassies, technical and financial partners, and local water authorities. The meetings led to a workshop to explore West African initiatives. WIN staff also went to Benin to meet local stakeholders and authorities about launching a national coalition or action programme. This resulted in the formation of a local working group that will develop a short-term action plan.

WIN West Africa Contact: Maël Castellan WIN Secretariat Email: [email protected] www.waterintegritynetwork.net

Nigeria

Community Integrity Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in Delta State, has received financial support from the WIN secretariat in Berlin, Germany, to hold participatory meetings and a coordinated workshop with members and actors in the water sector in Edo, Enugu and Delta States of Nigeria. Among the objectives of these events are the development of tools and methodologies to increase transparency, integrity and accountability in the water sector, the formation of a national working group and the sharing of knowledge needed for action.

WIN Nigeria Contact: Ogwezzy Melody Diobodo Community Integrity Initiative Email: [email protected]

uganda

UWIN – the Uganda Water Integrity Network– is a multi-stakeholder network that brings together organisations and individuals from the water sector and the anti-corruption movement in Uganda. The coalition unites representatives from civil society, the private sector, government (the Ministry of Water and the Environment) and development partners.

Uganda WIN (UWIN) Contact: Cate Zziwa N. Nimanya Network for Water and Sanitation Uganda Email: [email protected] www.netwas.org

bangladesh

The Bangladesh Water Integrity Network (BAWIN) was launched by founding members Transparency International Bangladesh, Bangladesh Water Partnership, Nagorik Udyog (Citizens’ Initiative) and the Water Resource Planning Organisation.

WIN Bangladesh (BAWIN) Contact: Iftekhar Zaman Transparency International Bangladesh Email: [email protected] www.ti-bangladesh.org

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Water supply of Afghan refugees in Western Pakistan (near Quetta) is compromised by uncontrolled diverting of water from surrounding host villages, with no access to safe drinking water. Government neglect of populations versus UN-support to refugees. © Joost Butenop

6. strategic development

Collecting water and washing clothes at water point. Image courtesy of WEdC. © Rebecca Scott

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6“Tackling corruption in the water sector is not only a moral imperative that serves the interests of many, particularly the poor. It is also feasible. The time for action is now.” global Corruption report, 2008

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WIN’s country-based initiatives strategy involves:

» Scaling up strategic action and learning at the country level

» Highlighting the importance of building country-level water integrity coalitions

» Engaging on many levels, from grassroots to government, collaborating with different stakeholders

» Building relationships and trust among key constituencies, providing adequate and appropriate access to information, and ensuring a safe space for discussion, debate and deliberation

» Achieving equity and accountability in communication among stakeholders, involving equitable representation of multiple groups

» Giving stakeholders opportunities to debate and provide opinions on the relevance, viability and practicality of different approaches to water-related decision making

» Using WIN’s clear and distinct comparative advantage over other networks, as the only network in the world that focuses exclusively on combating corruption in the water sector.

6.1. CouNTrY-bAsEd INITIATIVEs sTrATEgY

WIN is now entering an important phase of development and growth. While it has been widely recognised and appreciated by partners and donors for its commitment to promoting water integrity, the present challenge is to translate this overarching success to on-the-ground action. WIN will continue to perform a critical advocacy role at the global level, but it will now prioritise scaling up strategic action and learning at the country level.

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WIN’s comparative advantage

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There are five main components to WIN’s approach to achieving these objectives:

» Advocating and communicating to raise awareness, stimulate water integrity action and share information

» Joint learning and the sharing of experience among network members and strategic partners, and sharing outcomes on WIN’s website

» Mobilising and facilitating coalitions of WIN members and strategic partners to maximise impact, particularly at country level

» Facilitating, encouraging and building capacity for the development of country-based water integrity surveys and action programmes

» Monitoring and reporting on progress.

The target audience for WIN’s communications includes the water sector community; public sector institutions and companies; civil society organisations; the private sector; donors; policy makers; international institutions, and the press and media.

6.2. CoMMuNICATIoNs sTrATEgY

Communication is a diverse and versatile way of promoting awareness of WIN’s activities and its core message. It also ties up with many, if not all, aspects of WIN’s work, thus a defined communication strategy is essential. WIN’s communication strategy was developed in 2009, and will be tested and adjusted to meet the interests of the various audiences that WIN is reaching out to. Four main objectives were defined:

1. To make the negative effects of corruption and the positive effects of enhanced water integrity known to a wider public.

2. To position WIN as the leading network for water integrity, transparency and accountability.

3. To show and share how to enhance water integrity through multi-stakeholder coalitions and partnerships.

4. To establish the desire in financial partners to fund WIN-associated water integrity programmes.


7An Indian girl carrying water to her home. © Nikhil Gangavane/Istock

7. Financial report

“No one would let us touch the village water point,” explains ram rati Malik from beli, Nepal. her ethnic group were excluded and so had to drink water from this pond. © Marco Betti

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“Poor people living in the slums often pay five to ten times more per litre of water than wealthy people living in the same city.”global Corruption report, 2008

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7.2. WIN budgET: FINANCIAl rEPorT

During 2009 WIN continued its work with the support of the following WINning donors and partners:

» The balance of funding provided for 2007-08 in partnership with the Dutch and the Swedish Development Cooperation Agencies (DGIS and SIDA). This funding was channelled through the Stockholm International Institute.

» Project funding from the German Development Cooperation Agency (BMZ)

» Bridge funding from SIDA for 2009

» New core funding from the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency (SDC) and DGIS in support of WIN’s Strategic Framework for Action 2009-15.

As some of the funding agreements were signed later than anticipated, a number of activities were delayed by about four months, as was staff recruitment. The total expenditure for 2009 was €626,282.

This is almost €300,000 less than the original target budget of €926,200 in the two-year annual plan 2009-10, but about €164,000 higher than the expenditure level for 2008.

Expenditure was distributed across funding sources as follows:

SIWI (DGIS/SIDA) €233,855 BMZ €106,225 SIDA €183,338 SDC €50,000 DGIS €52,864

Total expenditure for 2009 €626,2821

At the start of 2010, the cash balance (excluding interest) was as follows:

DGIS core funds €42,864 BMZ project funds €141,241

Total cash balance as per 1 january 2010 €184,105

WIN would like to thank its host organisation Transparency International and its donors for their continued cooperation and trust.

7.1. WIN doNor dIAloguEs AT ThE sToCkholM World WATEr WEEk 2009

Every year since its inception in 2006, WIN has used the opportunity of the Stockholm World Water Week to bring together donors and other funding agencies to discuss water integrity. In 2009, the donor meeting gave an update on current and planned WIN activities, to promote harmonisation with ongoing donor activities, as well as explore potential country-level synergies between WIN and various donor agencies. The meeting was attended by current WIN donors, as well as others interested in water integrity issues. Attendants included representatives of AFD, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BMZ, DAI/USAID, DANIDA, DGIS, DFID, GTZ, IADB and SDC. Participants engaged in a lively discussion on issues ranging from training for field staff on water integrity to measuring impact regarding a non-tangible issue such as integrity. Towards the end of the meeting, donors exchanged information on country engagements.

Water Integrity Network, 2010 1 Provisional figure prior to audit.

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drinking from a desert well in Algeria. © Roberto Caucino/Istock


1 WIN secretariat

c/o Transparency International Alt Moabit 96, 10559 Berlin, Germany

Phone: +49 30 3438 20413 Fax: +49 30 3470 3912 [email protected]

09In 2009, WIN was financially supported by The governments of germany (bMZ), The Netherlands (dgIs), sweden (sida), and switzerland (sdC)

annual report 2009 - water integrity network report 2009 from global advocacy to local action 09

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