Local Initiatives in the Promotion of the Attainment of the Water and Sanitation
2012/03/01
Eleven national associations of local government gathered on 27 February 2012 at the SALGA (South African Association of Local Governments) offices in Tshwane, South Africa for the opening day of the 2nd Focal Point Network meeting.
Established as a key component of the two year European Commission funded project ‘Local Initiatives in the Promotion of the Attainment of the Water and Sanitation Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)’ the Focal Point Network aims to provide a platform for the exchange and dissemination of good practice within the water and sanitation sector at the local level. This project was coordinated by UCLGA (United Cities and Local Governments of Africa) in partnership with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.
The aim of the meeting was to facilitate the exchange of innovative good practices for improved service delivery at the local level, in the drive to achieve the water and sanitation MDGs. The project focuses on the following: Promoting Partnerships and Advocacy, Facilitating Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Enhancement and Accelerating Service Delivery.
With representation from Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi, Mali, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe the nominated focal points from each of the respective national associations of local governments took the opportunity to reflect on the projects progress to date. The meeting began with an overview of the key achievements of the project, including but not limited to:
• Scoping study outlining each countries progress in relation to the MDGs, key in-country stakeholders and local challenges in reference to basic service delivery for water and sanitation,
• Establishment of the focal point network,
• Country actions plans for water and sanitation where developed by the national associations,
• Piloting of the Municipal Assistant in two municipalities, and innovative asset management system ,
• Development of three good practice case studies of innovative service delivery at the local level,
• Global and regional advocacy at key water and sanitation events including; 3rd Africa Water Week, World Water Week, AfricaSan 3 and Local Climate Solutions for Africa 2011.
Focal points present acknowledged that the project had served to strengthen the capacity of their national associations in respect to water and sanitation. There was an overwhelming consensus at the close of the meeting that both the national associations, and their respective focal points, remain committed to driving the local water and sanitation agenda into the future. ICLEI Africa has committed to continue to advocate for the increased recognition of local governments within the sector and drive the local government agenda on the continent.
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