F. Ronald Denham, ChairWater & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group,

October 2012

Searching for sustainable impact in Rotary WASH programs

Fewer than 30% of hand pumps still function after fiveyears (UNICEF study)

Many biosand filters no longer effective after six months (UNC study) Uganda National Development Plan states functionality of rural water

systems in western region is less than 50% A large number of Rotary water projects described as “rehabilitation”

implies failure of original investment

Background

Many humanitarian undertakings fail to deliver on their promise:

“Of 2000 wells drilled in this country during the past five years, fewer than 1000 still operate.” (Director of Water, Government of Ghana)

Major water kiosk initiative in Abidjan a failure – none of the kiosks still function

Piped water systems destroyed by theft of valves, connectors, etc.

Background

sus.tain’abil’i.ty - nouncontinuity of service over a period of time; permanent beneficial change

Many other anecdotes imply millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of hours wasted in non-sustainable WASH initiatives:

Many possible causes of failure:No sense of “community ownership” Failure to build on, complement, local culture and values. Community cannot afford on-going costTechnology inappropriateConstruction quality compromisedOver-extraction, failure to re-charge water tableInadequate training , lack of trained peopleNo systematic monitoring of process, and feedback

Background

Many of these causes stem from a limited vision of the project as an end in itself, not as an integral part of a broader, holistic program:

Provide a water well for community in El SalvadorProvide water tanks for 160 houses in BrazilProvide five boreholes to community in Burkina FasoProvide a pipeline for village in KenyaProvide reinforced concrete cistern

Background

Envisage the typical Rotary WASH project

ActivityInputs

• International partner R.C. decides to do a WASH project

• Contacts Host club

• Request Matching Grant

• Agreement with local NGO/CBO

• Invite local community input

Output

Results

The focus is on the activity

• Dig well

• Supply filter

• Construct latrine

• Install RWH

• Drill borehole

• Build dams

ActivityInputsOutput

Results

Hoping for these outputs or results:

• Safe, clean water

• Functioning latrine

• Saving the rainwater

• Local access to water

• Dam completed

• Sanitation facility

ActivityInputsOutput

Results

But the community is expecting much more, a program

having a significant impact on their life and livelihood:

Socioeconomic

goals - visionInputs Activity Outcomes Impacts

Project

Program

Output

Results

It implies a broader scope:

Project

• Community development• Financial management• Behaviour change• Training, skill development• Capacity building• Commercial channels• Local authorities• NGOs• etc.

Integrate with complementaryfunctions

And an extended time horizon:

Project • Vision for community• Feedback• Mid-course correction• Adapt to change• Integrated learnings• Life cycle costing• Valid business case• Appropriate metrics • Community development

• Financial management• Behaviour change• Training, skill development• Capacity building• Commercial channels• Local authorities• NGOs• etc.

Extend time horizon

Integrate with complementaryfunctions

To develop an integrated, holistic program having real impact on the people and their community:

Project • Vision for community• Feedback• Mid-course correction• Adapt to change• Integrated learnings• Life cycle costing• Valid business case• Appropriate metrics • Community development

• Financial management• Behaviour change• Training, skill development• Capacity building• Commercial channels• Local authorities• NGOs• etc.

Integrated Program!

Extend time horizon

Integrate with complementaryfunctions

A sustainable program implies a more rigorous start-up:

Activity OutcomesInputs

• The community• Baseline data• Collaborators/partners:

- Host & International RCs - TRF

- NGOs - Local authority - Outside funders

• Skills/know-how - Technology - Facilitation

• Regulations, policies• Environmental Issues• Gender issues

Output

ResultsImpacts

And much more emphasis on “software”:

Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs

• Create teams• Build capacity• Needs assessment • Identify appropriate technologies• Life-cycle costing/affordability• Design/plan project• Build, construct, implement• Identify business opportunities• Design monitoring systems

Output

Results

The outputs are the means to deliver sustainability

Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs

• Functioning system• Appropriate tariff structure• Management structure & processes• Valid quality & performance measures• Adequate flow of funds • WASH people trained, empowered and

accept responsibility• Viable business enterprise

Output

Results

The focus of the program should be tangible outcomes over time:

Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs

• Community of people capable of making change for the better

• Women create economic value• Better attendance at schools

especially girls• Business and commercial activity• Better health, less disease • Feedback on performance• Advocacy for change

Output

Results

The community should have the capacity to sustain growth and improvement in life and livelihood:

Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs

• A basis for other programs (education, health, etc.)

• Reduction of poverty• Food security• Less conflict• Enhanced economic value

Output

Results

Entire community moves up the ladder of self-improvement and sustainability

Programs are more than just “Big Projects” - there are fundamental differences:

Outcomes, community impact

5 – 10 years

Long-term commitment

Major international agencies,

Private sector investment

Professional, full-time, train and leverage volunteers

“Owns” the program

Empowered

Delegation to field to permit flexibility, responsiveness

Accountable for achieving outcomes

Programs

Focus

Management

Duration

Funding

CommunityInvolvement

Decision making & control

We will soon eradicate Polio.

The world sees Rotary as a leading humanitarian organization. “What’s next?”. Small projects will never sustain Rotary’s image. Significant, global programs in the Areas of Focus will build on that

image and strengthen the Rotary brand. “Think Programs” should become our new mantra.

Conclusions

Wasrag is here to support that mission