Regional Exchange Forum

MENA 2024

Background

Humanitarian, development and peace (HDP) actors are still struggling to address basic needs and vulnerabilities in relation to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Emerging evidence shows that WASH resilience, sustainability and peace can only be reached through collaboration and coordination both within the WASH sector and at inter-sectoral level.  

To trigger and guide HDP collaboration and coordination the Triple Nexus in WASH – Initiative  of the „WASH Road Map“ has developed the Joint Operational Framework: WASH Resilience, Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding” (JOF). Stakeholder exchange and especially the inclusion of the perspectives of practitioners who are implementing WASH services in the HDP nexus are a key aspect to accelerate the operationalisation of the HDP nexus. Therefore, WASH practitioners from the MENA region were invited to participate in the Regional Exchange on “Building WASH Resilience, Conflict Sensitivity and Peace” to discuss the challenges they face and based on evidence, how HDP nexus coordination and programming can help to overcome them.

Rational

One of the core elements of the WASH Triple Nexus is to promote collaboration and coherence among the WASH sector practitioners and policy makers at all levels, from regional to community. Therefore, the event facilitated 1) an effective peer-to-peer learning exchange and 2) developed five practice-to-policy recommendations to improve WASH service provision in contexts prone to protracted and recurrent crises in the MENA region.  

In the first two days WASH practitioners and relevant experts identified common challenges and best practice in relation to the HDP nexus based on case studies and context presentations. Based on the results the participants developed and prioritised practice-to-policy recommendations in workshop sessions. The recommendations were finally presented to a roundtable of policy- and decision makers and WASH sector/cluster coordinators from the region, held in the afternoon of the third day of the forum. The policy recommendations were met with strong interest from the roundtable participants, who provided advice on how to operationalise these recommendations. 

The following event report summarises the results of the Regional Exchange Forum, presents the policy recommendations and consolidates the feedback. Widely disseminated throughout the region, these recommendations can inform relevant policy processes. 

DOWNLOAD EVENT REPORT

Key Data

 

Title Regional Exchange Forum MENA – Building WASH Resilience, Conflict Sensitivity and Peace 
Type
Hybrid Event with in-person and online participation
Date 8– 10 October 2024
Region
MENA Region
Language English
Location
  • In-Person: GaziantepTürkiye
  • Online via Zoom
Elements

Day 1-3: Practitioner Learning Exchange and Workshop to develop “Practice to Policy Recommendations” based on case-Study and context-Presentations
Day 3: High-Level Roundtable to discuss policy recommendations from the practitioners and how to operationalise them
Participants

Learning Exchange and Workshop: H-D-P WASH practitioners and experts, and from other relevant domains like Disaster Risk Reduction & Management (DRM) 
High Level Roundtable:WASH sector/cluster coordinators, decision- and policy makers, from all constituencies: Government, External Support Agencies (UN, Donors, Banks), CSO,  Research & Learning, Private Sector and Utilities

Event Structure


Application

 

Application (full event)

1) Nexus hubs: Organisations can apply on behalf of “nexus hubs”. “Nexus hubs” are multi-stakeholder teams, comprising different actors and constituencies collaborating in programmes/projects at the district level. Nexus hubs can apply with a single application to be filled by a main applicant. These nexus hubs can be composed of up to 4 persons and ideally represent at least one real local actor (Gov, CSOs, local business or utility etc). 
2) Individual Organisations / Individuals: Individual applications via the same form will also be included in the selection process.  

Please note:  

  • As the travel and visa regulations in the region are currently very restrictive, we offer participation both in person and online. Please inform yourself about the regulations and procedures that apply to you and make an informed decision whether you would like to attend the event in person or online. We do not cover any risks or costs associated with a failed visa application.
  • We strive for diversity, an equal representation of male and female participants, and a balanced mix of actor groups.  
  • We encourage real local actors to apply and participate in this training.  
  • We try to make the training as accessible as possible to people with special needs. Please indicate special requirements in the online application form.  

There is no formal process to apply for the high-level roundtable. Relevant actors are identified and addressed directly through the event organisers, UNICEF, national WASH Cluster or coordination platforms or SWA. However, interested actors can express interest to contributing to the Regional Forum via email to triple.nexus [at] washnet.de  

Case study requirements The event aims at identifying common challenges and promising solutions in operationalising the Triple Nexus in WASH at the practitioner level. Only teams or individuals who submit a relevant case study potentially to be presented at the event are eligible to participate. Case studies can therefore be experiences from projects in which cross-sector collaboration takes place or collective outcomes are to be achieved (e.g. strengthening resilience incl. crisis prevention, mitigation, transition in and out of crisis, inclusion of vulnerable groups, sustainability, or conflict sensitivity and peace building). Case studies should include information on the context and its relevance for the H-D-P Nexus.

Please apply until 4 September, 2024

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

Timeline

 


Event Organisation : 

Arno Coerver 

Malteser International 

Arno.coerver [at] malteser-international.org 

Coordination of H-L-Roundtable: 

Johannes Rueck 

German WASH Network Coordinator 

johannes.rueck@washnet.de 


Lead convener

Local Host MENA Region


Supported by

 


A Contribution to the “Triple Nexus in WASH – Initiative” of the WASH Road Map

Asia 2022

Event Report

The Regional Exchange Forum for the Asia region was held from 29 November to 1 December 2022 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Forum consisted of a “practitioner stream”, feeding its results into a “high level roundtable event”. The practitioner stream was hosted and facilitated by Malteser International, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office. The event culminated in a high-level roundtable, whose preparation was strongly supported by the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia and the Asian Development Bank.

The results of the Regional Exchanges were used to revise the draft Joint Operational Framework, which is expected to be published in Q1 2023.  The policy recommendations formulated by the practitioners were met with strong interest from the policy makers during the high-level round table. Widely disseminated throughout the region, these recommendations can inform relevant policy processes.

The following event report presents the 5 key recommendations and consolidates the feedback provided by the High-Level Roundtable.

DOWNLOAD EVENT REPORT

Background

Humanitarian, development and peace (HDP) actors are struggling to address key needs in relation to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Whilst HDP actors are often still working in silos, emerging evidence shows that WASH resilience, sustainability and peace can only be reached through collaboration and coordination both within the WASH sector and at inter-sectoral level.

To trigger and guide HDP collaboration and coordination the Triple Nexus in WASH – Initiative 3.5[1] of the „WASH Roadmap 2020-25“, co-chaired by Global WASH Cluster, UNICEF, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) and the German WASH Network is currently developing and soon publishing a “Joint Operational Framework: WASH Resilience, Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding” (JOF). Stakeholder consultation and especially the inclusion of the perspectives of those persons who are implementing WASH services in the HDP nexus are a key aspect of the development and the operationalisation of the JOF. Therefore, WASH practitioners from Asia will be invited to participate in the Regional Exchange on “Building WASH Resilience and Sustainability” to discuss the challenges they face and how operationalising the JOF can help to overcome them.

Rational

One of the core elements of the WASH Triple Nexus is to promote coherence among the WASH sector practitioners and policy makers at all levels from regional to community. Therefore, the event will facilitate 1) an effective peer-to-peer learning exchange and 2) it aims to develop and consolidate practice to policy recommendations to improve WASH service provision in contexts prone to protracted and recurrent crises:

In the first two days WASH practitioners and relevant experts will identify common challenges and best practice in relation to the HDP nexus based on case studies and context presentations. Based on the results participants will develop and prioritise practice-to-policy recommendations in workshop session. Designated spokespersons will present the recommendations to a roundtable of policy- and decision makers and WASH sector/cluster coordinators from the region, which will be held in the afternoon of the third day of the forum. The roundtable participants will provide feedback and validate the policy recommendations, which will be consolidated and published in the follow up of the event. The meeting outcomes will be showcased at upcoming global events and fora.


Key Data

 

Event Regional Exchange Forum Asia – Building WASH Resilience and Sustainability
Date 29 November – 1 December 2022
Location Kathmandu, Nepal
Region South Asia
Language
English
Participants

Learning Exchange and Workshop (Day 1-3, in-person): H-D-P WASH practitioners and experts, and from other relevant domains like Disaster Risk Reduction & Management (DRM), Climate Change Adaption (CCA) & Climate Resilience
High Level Roundtable (Day 3, half-day, hybrid): WASH sector/cluster coordinators, decision- and policy makers, from all constituencies: Government, External Support Agencies (UN, Donors, Banks), CSO, Research & Learning, Private Sector and Utilities.
Costs Participation is offered free of charge. For the in-person event local accommodation (up to three nights) and catering will be covered on all three days. Travel costs are to be covered by the sending organisation. In addition there is a limited budget available to assist in (co-)financing travel costs up to a pre-defined limit for those organisations not able to fully cover travel expenses their own. In case you need support please indicate this accordingly in the registration form.

Event Structure


Application & Call for Inputs

 

Application (in-person event)

Nexus hubs: Organisations can apply on behalf of “nexus hubs”. “Nexus hubs” are multi-stakeholder teams, comprising different actors and constituencies collaborating in programmes/projects at the district level. Nexus hubs can apply with a single application to be filled by a main applicant. These nexus hubs can be composed of up to 4 persons and ideally represent at least one real local actor (Gov, CSOs, local business or utility etc).
Individual Organisations / Individuals: Individual applications via the same form will also be included in the selection process.
Case study requirements The event aims at identifying common challenges and promising solutions in operationalising the Triple Nexus in WASH at the practitioner level. Only teams or individuals who submit a relevant case study potentially to be presented at the event are eligible to participate. Case studies can therefore be experiences from projects in which cross-sector collaboration takes place or collective outcomes are to be achieved (e.g. strengthening resilience incl. crisis prevention, mitigation, transition in and out of crisis, inclusion of vulnerable groups, sustainability, or conflict sensitivity and peace building). Case studies should include information on the context and its relevance for the H-D-P Nexus.
High-level Roundtable (hybrid) The high-level roundtable is organised as a hybrid event and will be streamed to a broader online community. Information on the registration process will be provided here in due time. There is no formal process to propose a speaker or contribution to the high-level roundtable event. Relevant roundtable panelist are identified and addressed directly through the event organisers, UNICEF, WASH Cluster or national coordination platforms or SWA.

Please apply until 3 November, 2022

Application closed

Please note:

  • We strive for diversity, an equal representation of male and female participants, and a balanced mix of actor groups.
  • We encourage real local actors to apply and participate in this training.
  • We try to make the training as accessible as possible to people with special needs. Please indicate special requirements in the online application form.

[1] This initiative contributes to the Humanitarian WASH Roadmap 2020-2025 (Initiative 3.5). The initiative is led by the German WASH Network, Global WASH Cluster, Sanitation and Water for All and UNICEF and represents a partner consortium including ACF, GWN/Arche Nova, GWN/WHH, IFRC, IMC, IOM, PAH, Save the Children, Solidarités International and UNHCR.


Regional Host Asia

In collaboration with


Supported by

 


A Contribution to the “Triple Nexus in WASH – Initiative”


ESA 2021-22

Regional Exchange Forum – Eastern and Southern Africa

Under the Humanitarian WASH Roadmap Initiative 3.5, co-chaired by Global WASH Cluster, UNICEF, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) and the German WASH Network, a “Joint Operational Framework: WASH Resilience, Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding” (JOF) is currently being developed. As stakeholder consultation is a key aspect of this process, WASH practitioners from the ES-Africa Region were invited to participate in the Regional Exchange on “Building WASH Resilience and Sustainability” to discuss the challenges they face and develop relevant policy recommendations to improve WASH service provision in contexts prone to protracted and recurrent crises.

The Regional Exchange Forum “Building WASH Resilience and Sustainability” consisted of a “practitioner stream”, feeding its results into a “high level roundtable event”. The practitioner stream was hosted and facilitated by Sign of Hope (German WASH Network member) with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office. The practitioner stream was a consultative process, involving 35 practitioners from five countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan) via four preparatory meetings. Based on case studies and context presentations, the practitioners identified common challenges and good practices in relation to the HDP nexus. The participants of the practitioner stream developed five prioritized practice-to-policy recommendations. These were presented by designated spokespersons of the practitioner stream to a roundtable of 11 policy and decision makers from the region at a final event, held online on 2 March 2022. This high-level event was convened by the German WASH Network and strongly supported by UNICEF and its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO). The report presents the 5 key recommendations and consolidates the feedback provided by the High-Level Roundtable.

DOWNLOAD EVENT REPORT

Agenda

13:00 – 13:05 – Introduction

  • Thilo Panzerbieter – Chair of the German WASH Network, Co-Lead of the Triple Nexus in WASH Initiative

13:05 – 13:10 – Welcome remarks

  • Sareen Malik – Vice Chair of Steering Committee of SWA, Executive Secretary of the African Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (ANEW)

13:10 – 13:20 – WASH triple nexus: what’s it all about?

  • Tim Grieve – Independent Consultant, German WASH Network

13:20 – 14:20 – Challenges and solutions: Case studies from East and Southern Africa

  • Representatives of the practitioner stream “Nexus Hubs” from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda

14:20 – 14:45 Break

14:45 – 15:00 – Practice to policy: Key findings of the WASH triple nexus practitioner stream

  • Representatives of the practitioner stream

15:00 – 16:15 – Operationalise the WASH triple nexus: High-level Round Table 

  • Dr. Callist Tindimugaya – Commissioner, Directorate of Water Resources Management, Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda
  • Sareen Malik – Vice Chair of Steering Committee of SWA, Executive Secretary of the African Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (ANEW)
  • Neil Cole – Executive Secretary, Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI)
  • Eng. Peter Njaggah Director Licensing, Standards & Advocacy, Water Services Regulatory Board Kenya (WASREB)
  • Steven Mudhuviwa – Programme Manager Regional Open WASH Program (R-WASH), UNICEF
  • David Githiri Njoroge – Senior Technical Coordinator for Uganda, UNHCR
  • Barbara Schreiner – Executive Director, Water Integrity Network
  • Damien Blanc – Regional WASH and Shelter & Settlements Coordinator, ECHO Nairobi
  • Tadesse Kebebew – University of Geneva, Geneva Water Hub
  • Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha – Managing Director, National Water & Sewerage Corporation, Uganda, Vice President of the Executive Board of African Water Association (AfWA) (tbc)

Facilitator: Sam Godfrey – Regional Advisor WASH, focal point Climate, Energy and Environment UNICEF, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO)

16:15 – 16:25 – Final words

  • Dr. José Schulz Head of Division of Humanitarian Assistance – Operations, German Federal Foreign Office

16:25 – 16:30 – Closing


REGISTRATION CLOSED

Regional Host Africa (ESA)

 


Supported by

 


A Contribution to the “Triple Nexus in WASH – Initiative”

 

Contact

Contact

Overall Coordination: Johannes Rueck

German WASH Network Coordinator

Johannes.rueck [at] washnet.de


Regional Host Asia: Arno Coerver

Malteser International

arno.coerver [at] malteser-international.org

Regional Host ESA: Raphaela Betz

Sign of Hope

Betz [at] hoffnungszeichen.de