CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THOSE BASED ON THE WEFE NEXUS APPROACH CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WITH INTEGRITY “Cooperation is critical to achieving all water-related goals and targets.” This is the first sentence in the latest UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) of March 2023 . The importance of partnerships was also a refrain of the UN 2023 Water Conference. We’ve been hearing for years that water sector stakeholders need to stop working in silos, especially with rising threats from climate change. This is not new. Especially not for those of us managing WRM and IWRM programmes, or developing basin management plans and watershed initiatives, or setting up multi-stakeholder initiatives bringing together public, private, and civil society organisations, like the numerous initiatives already highlighted in the WWDR. The calls for partnerships are indeed crucial. The fact that they are repeated hints at a deeper issue: effective cooperation is far from easy. No one has the secret sauce, especially for multi-stakeholder or cross-sector partners. Indeed, the WWDR summarises rightly that: “each party invariably comes with its own knowledge, perceptions, interests, positions and objectives, such that disagreements on priorities and strategies are commonplace. While partnerships and cooperation, at all levels, overwhelmingly deliver positive outcomes, in rare occasions, they can institutionalize exclusion, distort resource allocations and encourage fragmentation.” What can we do about these challenges? How do we make our own partnerships work better for water resilience? We believe integrity is one key ingredient of the secret sauce. And it deserves more attention for three main reasons: Integrity is a way to build trust and develop common ground among different partners Where governance structures are fractured, complex, or vulnerable to capture by more powerful partners, integrity can contribute to more balanced decision-making and limit accountability gaps There are high integrity risks in water and natural resource management that need to be taken into account directly for partnerships to be effective, serve the public interest, and secure funding. Integrity can be operationalised in partnerships through the principles of Transparency, Accountability, Participation, and Anti-corruption. There are guidelines to do this in practice for water stewardship initiatives for example, where public and private interests can clash. Other crucial partnerships where integrity is essential are cross-sector partnerships for water resilience, for example those under the WEFE nexus approach. CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION: THE EXAMPLE OF THE WATER – ENERGY – FOOD – ECOSYSTEMS NEXUS It is likely that, as climate change threats continue to impact water and therefore lives, livelihoods and energy security, the calls for collaboration beyond the water sector will grow. The Water Energy Food Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach (or Water Energy Food (WEF) Nexus) is a primary decision-making framework for cross-sector collaboration. Its purpose is to balance the different interests that compete for scarce natural resources, prevent and resolve conflicts over their use and exploitation, and secure their long-term availability (Aboelnga et al., 2018). The WEFE Nexus approach is relevant for partners working in water resource management because it can enable a more integrated and complete appreciation of risks, prevent maladaptation , ensure sufficient leverage for change, and open doors to funding. It is still very much a theoretical framework however. In practice, there are many challenges, and also integrity risks. INTEGRITY GUIDELINES FOR THE WEFE NEXUS: STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP “The natural resource sectors, including water, energy, food, land and ecosystems, are highly vulnerable to corruption as a result of the significant revenues associated with their exploitation and commercialisation (OECD, n.d.). Corruption in the natural resource sectors is especially high given the role played by governments in the allocation of exploitation rights to private companies. Economic interests and powerful groups on water, energy and food resources can influence decision-making processes to their benefit and away from public interest. Discretionary powers, opaque decision-making processes, and lack of transparency in lobbying activities further exacerbate the risk of corruption affecting the sustainable governance of water, energy, food, and ecosystems.” – A Guideline to Strengthening Integrity in the Governance of the WEFE Nexus Approach With support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), and in partnership with stakeholders of the Nexus Regional Dialogues and the Bonn Water Network, WIN has been exploring WEFE Nexus growing pains with a focus on integrity. Embedding integrity within WEFE Nexus governance and management structures requires the adoption and implementation of measures that support transparency, participation, accountability and anti-corruption. In new guidelines, we defined ways to strengthen WEFE Nexus initiatives with integrity, in four main governance areas: Institutions: which centres on the integrity elements necessary for a good governance of the WEFE Nexus institutions and structures. Information: which refers to all the necessary measures to support a transparent and evidence-based decision-making process. This includes the production, collection and sharing of good quality data; building capacities of people, institutions and organisations; and ensuring transparency and easy access to all information. Investment: which outlines elements to ensure access to long-term funding for WEFE Nexus projects, and the necessary control mechanisms to ensure that funds are not mismanaged or lost to corruption. Implementation : which details the controls, monitoring and reporting mechanisms to guide activities within the project cycle. It centres on inclusive participation within the planning, decision-making and implementation processes. The guidelines can also support practitioners to abide by the WEF Nexus Principles . Download the guidelines:

Investments in water and sanitation translate into effective services to citizens through public procurement. The open contracting approach shines a light on how investment reaches citizens and whether it responds to their needs. Guest post by Umrbek Allakulov, Georg Neumann, Open Contracting Partnership Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) helps transform procurement from an overlooked, underfunded paper-based chore to a digital, data-driven government service that can be an engine for innovation, sustainability and economic inclusion. The latest Water Integrity Global Outlook  highlights how the global water and sanitation sectors are notoriously opaque and vulnerable to corruption. There are many factors at play: fragmented decision-making, technical complexities, natural monopolies, and weak regulatory oversight. Complex financial structures, involving multiple actors and funding sources, further obscure accountability and enable corruption. Yet water and sanitation investments must triple to address the urgent need for more projects, particularly as climate change-induced weather events add costs and require more resilient infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable access.  A crucial question is how to translate that finance into more effective projects and investments on the ground and prevent leakages against governance risks. We need to know where the money is being spent, on what, when, and with whom.  It’s at the level of national and local governments where, through the often technical and invisible process of public procurement, investments in water and sanitation projects translate into a critical public service to citizens. Think of water pipes, sewage treatment plants, pumping stations, chemicals for water purification, construction and maintenance of infrastructure - all of which must go through public procurement processes to keep systems running smoothly.  At the same time, with calls for resources to adapt and mitigate climate change, we need to ensure the billions that will be committed are spent where they are needed most. Yet, the report highlights that “Procurement is the site of the greatest corruption in public expenditure.” How can the sector ensure the scarce financial resources are put into most effective use through public procurement?  To do so, projects need to be implemented with an open contracting approach  at its core.  Projects should be planned with (and not just for) local decision-makers and communities . They must be powered by open, transparent, comprehensive real-time data on public contracts – from the spending all the way to the implementation . This is critical to identify red flags early to ensure projects are delivered effectively.  And they need to embed local feedback, monitoring and advocacy channels throughout the project development process to learn, adapt, and create systemic change. The following two projects provide an insight into how this can be done successfully: Enabling local accountability through open data on public contracts In Buenos Aires’ informal settlements, known as ‘Villas’, streets had no names, and there were no sewers, storm drains, or clean drinking water systems. Civil society organizations, particularly the Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ), and residents used access to information and open data as tools to advocate for improved access to public infrastructure services in the villas.  In one example, residents started asking questions about the construction taking place in their villa, including the new water infrastructure. They identified that the work was being carried out shoddily. Residents could then use the official data available on the public works project and their own experience to raise the problems in official forums such as the Participatory Management Council, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the contract.  Building more resilient communities Together with Indian civic tech collective CivicDataLab, OCP is implementing open contracting strategies to improve natural disaster preparedness, response, and relief that will better protect vulnerable residents. Typically, decisions for funding allocations are based on a “first-come, first-served” approach that prioritizes those who ask for funding first.  With OCP support, CivicDataLab worked with Assam authorities to better protect vulnerable communities from extreme weather events by implementing open contracting strategies for better flood-related procurement. Core to the approach was developing a sophisticated data model  to determine the most critical areas of the state needing investment – rating each district for flood proneness, preparedness and losses and combining procurement data with dozens of other datasets. The project required working with Assam’s Finance Department to structure and standardize data on all flood-related procurement from the last five years. Now, an estimated 6.5 million people benefit from improved flood-related spending.  Results from open contracting in other contexts have delivered far-rippling effects, carrying important lessons for the water and sanitation sectors. For example, Prozorro helped reduce healthcare spending by over 18% in Ukraine . Similarly, the  Colombian government achieved savings of estimated 10–15%  in the provision of school meals by implementing an open contracting approach. Implementing these savings and increasing cost-efficiency could be a game changer for the underinvested water and sanitation sectors.  It’s time to dive into open contracting to improve integrity and transparency in water and sanitation sector finance! Disclaimer: At WIN we value honest and open discussion. We are a multi-stakeholder network and our site brings together perspectives from across the board. Not all views expressed here reflect official policies .

Una conversación basada en la publicación Panorama Mundial de la Integridad del Agua 2024 (WIGO 2024) con expertos de América Latina Read this article in English here La integridad es un pilar fundamental para garantizar que los servicios de agua y saneamiento sean accesibles, equitativos y sostenibles. En un contexto donde la corrupción y las fallas de integridad siguen siendo desafíos significativos, contar con herramientas innovadoras que permitan evaluar y mejorar la integridad del sector es clave para su fortalecimiento. En el año 2024, la Red de Integridad de Agua (WIN, Water Integrity Network) genero la publicación Panorama Mundial de la Integridad del Agua 2024 (WIGO 2024) con un enfoque en las finanzas. El objetivo de este informe es proporcionar una visión global sobre los riesgos de corrupción en la financiación del sector, y mostrar soluciones para reducir la brecha de la financiación y mejorar la gestión financiera en el sector del agua y saneamiento. Aquí, las empresas prestadoras tienen un papel importante que jugar. Este es un resumen de la charla sobre integridad financiera, organizada en colaboración con Red de Agua, UNAM y Centro Regional de Seguridad Hídrica bajo los auspicios de UNESCO , 26 de marzo de 2025, en la que se abordaron aspectos importantes sobre la importancia de la integridad financiera en las empresas prestadoras de agua y saneamiento en América Latina. Invitados especiales: Marcello Basani, Especialista Líder de Agua y Saneamiento, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) Patricia Hernández, Directora Ejecutiva, Asociación Nacional de Entidades de Agua y Saneamiento (ANEAS) Marcelo Rogora, Director de Integridad y Buenas Prácticas, Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA) Rolando Taquichiri Kussy, Jefe Unidad de Planificación (SeLA Oruro) Eduardo Bohórquez, Director Ejecutivo, Transparencia Mexicana Moderador: Jorge Alberto Arriaga Medina, Coordinador Ejecutivo, Red de Agua, UNAM y Centro Regional de Seguridad Hídrica bajo los auspicios de UNESCO Ver grabación "La promoción de la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas no debe percibirse como una amenaza, sino como una oportunidad para optimizar la gestión y mejorar los servicios."  -Marcello Basani, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) _____ Desafíos y oportunidades para las empresas prestadoras de agua y saneamiento en América Latina Las empresas prestadoras de servicios de agua y saneamiento en América Latina operan en entornos complejos que presentan tanto retos como oportunidades para fortalecer la integridad y mejorar la prestación de los servicios. Fortalezas Compromiso con la integridad: Varias empresas cuentan con unidades especializadas en integridad, lo que demuestra una creciente voluntad institucional para combatir la corrupción. Cobertura relativamente alta: La región presenta mayores tasas de acceso a agua y saneamiento en comparación con Asia y África. Marco legal sólido: Existen medidas legislativas firmes que garantizan el acceso al agua y saneamiento como un derechos humanos. Sociedad civil activa: Organizaciones de la sociedad civil desempeñan un papel clave en la vigilancia y promoción de la transparencia en el sector. Retos persistentes Desigualdades sociales: La brecha en el acceso a servicios de agua y saneamiento sigue siendo un desafío, especialmente en comunidades rurales y zonas marginales. Inestabilidad institucional: La alta rotación de personal y los nombramientos políticos afectan la continuidad y eficiencia de las empresas prestadoras. Abuso de declaraciones de emergencia: Situaciones como sequías, inundaciones o crisis sanitarias (COVID-19) han sido utilizadas para evadir procesos de contratación transparente. Debilidad en el sistema judicial: La impunidad y la falta de independencia del poder judicial dificultan la sanción de actos de corrupción en el sector. Impacto del cambio climático: Eventos extremos como sequías prolongadas e inundaciones agravan la crisis hídrica y ponen a prueba la resiliencia del sistema. Riesgos para defensores ambientales: El aumento de las amenazas contra activistas y comunidades que defienden el agua y el medio ambiente pone en riesgo los esfuerzos por una gestión más justa y sostenible. _____ Hablemos de integridad Uno de los enfoques más destacados en esta charla fue la necesidad de entender la integridad no solo como un mecanismo de control y sanción, sino como una herramienta clave para fortalecer el sector del agua y saneamiento. "Las empresas prestadoras deben entender la integridad como una herramienta para mejorar, no como mecanismo de castigo. Si bien en algunos casos es necesario llegar a las sanciones, no se trata de castigar por castigar mismo, sino demostrar de que este no es el camino correcto." - Marcelo Rogora, Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA)   Más allá de castigar la corrupción, las empresas prestadoras deben fomentar una cultura de integridad a través de incentivos y herramientas que promuevan buenas prácticas. Esto implica, por ejemplo: Sensibilización y capacitación en integridad para todos los actores del sector. Uso de tecnologías digitales que faciliten la supervisión y mejorar la transparencia y publicación de datos de calidad. Espacios de participación ciudadana que fortalezcan la rendición de cuentas. Al adoptar este enfoque, la integridad se convierte en un pilar de mejora continua y de credibilidad, asegurando que los recursos se gestionen con eficiencia y en beneficio de la empresa y la sociedad. La transparencia y la rendición de cuentas son esenciales para la confianza pública Los ciudadanos dependen de que los servicios de agua y saneamiento sean administrados de manera justa y eficiente. La falta de transparencia de la información puede erosionar la credibilidad y confianza en las empresas prestadoras y dificultar la participación ciudadana en la supervisión de los servicios. Esto puede ocurrir con mayor intensidad en periodos de emergencia como sequias o inundaciones. Eduardo Bohórquez (Transparencia México): Sin acceso a la información pública, es difícil detectar y prevenir actos de corrupción que afectan la gestión de los recursos hídricos. Además, la rendición de cuentas no debe ser solo un ejercicio formal, sino una práctica efectiva que permita a la ciudadanía y a otros actores supervisar cómo se toman las decisiones y cómo se manejan los fondos. Los datos abiertos y los sistemas de monitoreo en tiempo real pueden ser aliados clave para una gestión más eficiente y transparente del agua. Marcello Basani (BID): En situaciones de emergencia, la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas suelen estar en riesgo. Las normas y los procedimientos habituales, como las prácticas de adquisiciones tienden a flexibilizarse para responder con mayor rapidez. Un ejemplo claro es la contratación directa que, si no se gestiona adecuadamente, puede abrir la puerta a riesgos de corrupción. Por eso, contar con datos transparentes y de calidad sobre lo que se hace es fundamental. Pero esto nos lleva a una pregunta clave: ¿Quién verifica la calidad de esos datos? ¿Es responsabilidad de la ciudadanía o del ente regulador? ¿Y qué sucede en aquellos contextos donde no existe un regulador independiente o eficaz? Estas preguntas no solo son pertinentes, sino que pueden aportar reflexiones valiosas al debate sobre la integridad financiera. La participación ciudadana fortalece la eficiencia de las empresas prestadoras La participación ciudadana en la toma de decisiones, la verificación de datos de calidad y en la supervisión de los servicios es clave para mejorar la integridad financiera en la gestión del agua. Los usuarios deben tener una mayor participación en decisiones relacionadas con las tarifas, presupuestos, planificación y supervisión. Patricia Hernández (ANEAS): Involucrar a la sociedad en la toma de decisiones no solo permite responder mejor a las necesidades reales de las comunidades, sino que también fomenta la confianza en las instituciones encargadas de la gestión del agua y saneamiento. La integridad en el financiamiento del agua garantiza la sostenibilidad del sector Para atraer inversiones y garantizar la sostenibilidad del sector, es fundamental que los fondos destinados al agua y saneamiento sean manejados con integridad y eficiencia. Para ello se necesitan datos de buena calidad, indicadores claros, una buena regulación y el apoyo del agente regulador.   Marcello Basani (BID):  Sin información confiable y actualizada, es difícil tomar decisiones estratégicas que realmente respondan a las necesidades de la población y a los desafíos del sector. La recolección, sistematización y verificación adecuada de datos permiten identificar riesgos de corrupción, mejorar la planificación de inversiones y evaluar el impacto de los proyectos . La transparencia en la gestión de la información no solo fortalece la confianza pública, sino que también atrae inversiones , ya que las instituciones financieras y donantes requieren garantías de que los recursos serán utilizados de manera eficiente.   Al adoptar este enfoque, la integridad se convierte en un pilar de mejora continua, asegurando que los recursos se gestionen con eficiencia y en beneficio de la sociedad. La integridad debe entenderse no como una medida draconiana, o que sea únicamente para castigar, sino que sea una oportunidad para mejorar. - Rolando Taquichiri Kussy, SeLA Oruro _____ Buenas prácticas de integridad en la gestión del agua y saneamiento en América Latina   Marcello Basani (BID):  La integridad es un pilar fundamental en el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID), por lo que la hemos integrado como un eje transversal en todos los proyectos de infraestructura.  En colaboración con la Oficina de Integridad Institucional, hemos observado que la inversión en infraestructura debe ir acompañada de políticas sólidas de integridad . Sin estos mecanismos, los riesgos de corrupción pueden socavar los beneficios de los proyectos de agua y saneamiento. Como medida de mitigación, realizamos un análisis de riesgo y activamos acciones de monitoreo y respuesta, asegurando así que los recursos sean utilizados de manera eficiente y transparente. Marcelo Rogora (AySA):  En Argentina, se ha puesto en marcha una iniciativa conjunta entre el sector público y al sector privado para potencializar la integridad dentro de las organizaciones. Se trata del Registro de Integridad y Transparencia para Empresas y Entidades (RITE) , creado por la oficina Anti-corrupción de Argentina. El RITE promueve la adopción de programas de integridad adecuados y accesibles al público en general, fomentando así una cultura organizacional basada en la ética y transparencia. En este contexto, AySA se ha adherido al RITE como parte de su compromiso para fortalecer su área de integridad y reforzar la confianza en la gestión del agua. Este modelo permite a las empresas prestadoras adherirse a estándares éticos y ser evaluadas en función de su compromiso con la transparencia, generando un impacto positivo tanto en su operación interna como en su relación con el público. Rolando Taquichiri Kussy (SeLA Oruro): En Bolivia, el Servicio Local de Acueductos y Alcantarillado (SELA Oruro) ha venido desarrollando estrategias para mejorar su integridad financiera y promover una gestión más transparente y eficiente. Entrelas acciones destacadas se encuentra la implementación de la caja de herramientas de integridad, la realización de auditorías periódicas y la promoción de la participación ciudadana en la toma de decisiones. Así mismo, SELA Oruro ha trabajado en la actualización, aprobación y socialización de su código de ética, con un enfoque particular en el personal operativo y administrativo. Además, la entidad ha invertido en la capacitación de sus funcionarios y en el fortalecimiento de los mecanismos de denuncia, asegurando que cualquier irregularidad pueda ser detectada y abordada de manera oportuna y eficaz. Un enfoque de integridad es importante para las empresas de agua y saneamiento, aunque esta requiere de tiempo, es un trabajo del día y día cuyos efectos se ven en el mediano y largo plazo. - Rolando Taquichiri Kussy, SeLA Oruro Medidas para fortalecer la integridad financiera en las empresas prestadoras de agua y saneamiento Las empresas prestadoras de agua y saneamiento juegan un papel fundamental en liderar los esfuerzos en pro de la integridad para reducir el impacto negativo de la corrupción. Esto requiere adoptar medidas para la integridad, como:   Transparencia en el uso de recursos : Publicar todo los que se hace e implementar procesos claros que permitan hacer seguimiento a la asignación de fondos. Esto incluye la adopción de contratación abierta y el desarrollo de normas de gobierno corporativo que prevengan conflictos de interés. Promover la rendición de cuentas: Explicar de manera clara y efectiva hacia dónde van los recursos. Mayor participación ciudadana:  Fomentar el diálogo con la sociedad civil e involucrar a los ciudadanos en la toma de decisiones sobre tarifas, presupuestos, planificación y supervisión de los servicios. Monitoreo efectivo de riesgos de integridad : Identificar y evaluar riesgos en el ciclo presupuestario, especialmente en situaciones de emergencia, donde las contrataciones directas pueden generar vulnerabilidades a la corrupción. Colaboración con organismos anticorrupción:  Trabajar en conjunto con oficinas anticorrupción y agencias reguladoras para fortalecer mecanismos de supervisión y garantizar el cumplimiento de normas de integridad.  Cultura de integridad dentro de las empresas:  Impulsar un liderazgo comprometido con la transparencia e implementar programas de capacitación en integridad en todos los niveles de la organización, incluyendo alta gerencia, sindicatos, proveedores y operadores.   Estas acciones no solo fortalecen la confianza pública en los servicios de agua y saneamiento, sino que también aseguran que los recursos sean utilizados de manera eficiente y en beneficio de toda la comunidad. Ver grabación

La Water Integrity Network (WIN)  y el Centro de Investigación en Teoría Urbana y Territorial URBES-LAB , en cooperación con la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (INCITU-PUCP)   desarrollaron el curso en línea “ Asentamientos Humanos en Lima: Corrupción, Integridad y Acceso al Agua y Saneamiento », con el apoyo de TU Berlín , DAAD  y SMUS .  El contenido de este blog es el resultado de discusiones, talleres y visitas de campo que se realizaron en forma virtual y presencial, en colaboración con académicos, profesionales del sector del agua y saneamiento y miembros de la sociedad civil entre septiembre 2023 y julio 2024.   Fase 1: Planeación y desarrollo del contenido del curso  --- Tiempo y espacio    El curso en línea fue desarrollado con base a la siguiente pregunta: ¿ Cómo afecta la corrupción y fallas integridad la provisión de los servicios de agua y saneamientos en asentamientos humanos y como estos problemas se manifiestan en el espacio urbano?     Para dar respuesta a esta pregunta, adoptamos una perspectiva histórica y multiescalar:   Perspectiva histórica:  Retroceder en el tiempo fue importante para comprender que la exclusión de los asentamientos humanos de los servicios de agua y saneamiento es un problema histórico con raíces en periodos de migración masiva, especulación de tierras y las luchas históricas por asegurar una oferta de vivienda digna.    Perspectiva multiescalar:   Examinar los problemas desde diferentes escalas (ciudad, el barrio y la vivienda) permitió identificar actos de corrupción y fallas de integridad, así como los beneficios de mejorar las prácticas de integridad y rendición de cuentas a estas escalas.   --- Diversidad de enfoques y métodos   Un aspecto fundamental del curso fue su desarrolló por un equipo disciplinario de geógrafos, abogados, sociólogos, arquitectos y diseñadores gráficos, los cuales representaban a diferentes sectores  (academia, ONG, empresa pública). Desde el inicio sabíamos que trabajar con personas de diferentes disciplinas y perspectivas sería un reto, pero el intercambio constante genero relaciones de confianza y creatividad. Además, fue crucial incluir al equipo de diseño desde el principio, ya que era la primera vez que participaban en un proyecto de esta naturaleza.    Los siguientes métodos  fueron utilizados en el desarrollo del curso:   Reuniones y webinars:  Se organizaron una serie de reuniones quincenales para ajustar los contenidos de los módulos y discutir como ilustrarlo, en colaboración con el equipo de diseño. También se organizó un webinar en septiembre 2023 con las compañías de agua y saneamiento de Buenos Aires, Lima y Medellín para analizar los retos que enfrentan las empresas de agua y saneamiento en América Latina en la prestación de servicios en asentamientos humanos y como la integridad puede mejorar la prestación del servicio.   Taller presencial:  En marzo 2024, se organizó un taller con académicos de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Católica del Perú (PCUP) y miembros de la sociedad civil ( Lima Cómo Vamos  y Sanima ) para consolidar el material del curso y discutir los restos y las ventajas de los cursos virtuales como material pedagógico.   Visitas de campo:   Se realizaron dos visitas de campo a asentamientos informales en San Juan de Lurigancho y Pamplina, acompañados por la comunidad local y entidades involucradas, para conocer las realidades de los residentes y sus luchas para asegurar el acceso al agua y saneamiento. arriba - taller para el desarrollo del curso; abajo izquierda - visita a Pamplona con la ONG Sanima; abajo derecha - visita a San Juan de Lurigancho Fase 2: Diseño del curso El diseñado del curso tiene una gran influencia en el aprendizaje de los participantes. Desde el principio, para el equipo fue muy claro que queríamos ir más allá de los formatos tradicionales de enseñanza como las videoconferencias y evaluaciones automatizadas. Optamos por una estructura sencilla, con contenidos breves y objetivos claros, y nos apoyamos fuertemente en un diseño visual que facilitara la comprensión de la narrativa del curso. Fue fundamental exponer al participante a las realidades de Lima, su historia, geografía, clima, condición política y cultural. Además, se priorizó un aprendizaje experimental mediante la interacción de las realidades de los residentes de asentamientos humanos a través de entrevistas que fueron luego convertidas en formato video. Para el diseño, trabajamos con equipo que no solo tuviera habilidades necesarias, sino también empatía con el tema. Contamos con un profesional en geografía y una experta en comunicación visual, lo cual enriqueció el proceso. Estructura del curso El curso fue estructurado en los siguientes cuatro módulos. Cada módulo contiene una serie de tres videos cortos (de 3 a 4 minutos). Estos videos incluyen fotografías históricas, cartografía de la ciudad, iconografías, noticias, y entrevistas que sumergen a los participantes en las realidades cotidianas de los residentes de asentamientos humanos. Además, se incluyeron ejercicios interactivos, quizzes, foros, definiciones clave y lecturas complementarias. Fase 3: Implementación del curso Antes de iniciar el desarrollo y diseño del curso, fue esencial familiarizarnos con la plataforma donde se ofrecerían los contenidos: Cap-Net . Esta plataforma especializada en el sector de agua y saneamiento, ofrece cursos sin ningún costo para el participante. Para fomentar un aprendizaje activo, utilizamos el programa H5P , que nos permitió diseñar contenido interactivo como videos, juegos de memoria, tarjetas (flashcards), y ejercicios de arrastrar y soltar. Este programa también facilitó una mejor interacción en los foros de discusión a través de formulación de preguntas. Flashcards para discutir la pregunta ¿Quién puede estar involucrado en actos de corrupción? Este curso se ofrece de forma gratuita por un periodo específico (aproximadamente 9 meses al año). Ademes, utilizamos plataformas como YouTube para difundir los videos con subtítulos en inglés, lo que amplía el alcance del curso a audiencia más amplia.  Reflexiones Es clave diseñar una estructura del curso con objetivos de aprendizaje claros y definidos. Un cronograma de actividades y una asignación clara de responsabilidades son esenciales para el desarrollo eficiente. Es fundamental permitir que a todas las partes interesadas expresen sus opiniones, ya que varias instituciones están involucradas en el desarrollo de contenido. Involucrar al equipo de diseño al inicio del proyecto es esencial, no solo al final para “decorar” el curso. Aunque lleva mucho tiempo, esta experiencia es sumamente gratificante. ¿Quieres saber más? Si deseas inscribirte en el curso, puedes acceder directamente al enlace de inscripción   aquí .

FREE ONLINE COURSE Introductory level. Self-paced (4 modules, about 16 hours). We're sorry, this course is currently full. Please sign up for notifications about a next session here. An exploration of how integrity can support the implementation of CWIS projects, with a focus on regulation for CWIS and how regulation and integrity complement each other in the realisation of the human right to sanitation. Citywide Inclusive Sanitation is a framework to ensure everyone in the city has access to adequate and affordable improved sanitation services over time through appropriate systems, both sewered and non-sewered. It is a response to investment policies that have prioritised the construction and extension of sewered systems (for example, pipes, water treatment plants, and in-house connections) but left large parts of the population unserved, especially in newer or informal settlements. This has serious consequences on public health and the environment, as well as on the development of the city.  Improving existing sanitation options, including non-sewered sanitation, is key to increasing coverage. This approach requires more attention, resources and an enabling environment. Course outline: Module 1: Basic concepts: Integrity and CWIS Module 2: Integrity and regulation  Module 3: Integrity risks along the sanitation value chain Module 4: Supporting integrity and regulation in CWIS programmes Who is this course for? Regulators, specialists, and professionals from the sanitation sector Academics and policy makers involved in sanitation projects Objectives By the end of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of how integrity supports the implementation of CWIS projects and how robust regulatory frameworks can ensure inclusive, equitable sanitation, fulfilling the human right to sanitation. They will be able to: Understand the basic concepts of integrity, regulation, and CWIS Analyse how integrity helps to achieve better regulation in CWIS programmes Understand and respond to integrity risks along the sanitation value chain Examine how transparency, accountability, participation, and anti-corruption play out in practice through case studies from different parts of the world. Certification Upon course completion  Language In English

FREE ONLINE COURSE Introductory level. Self-paced (3 modules, about 16 hours). Open. Register here. An introduction to corruption and integrity in the water and sanitation sectors, with input on critical vulnerabilities. Participants learn about the links between integrity, good governance and sustainability of water and sanitation services and learn about four principles of integrity (Transparency, Accountability, Participation, Anti-corruption) to strengthen water and sanitation programmes. The course also includes an introduction to key integrity tools that practitioners can use to assess and address major integrity risks. Course outline: Module 1: Introducing key concepts of integrity and corruption Module 2: Integrity as a cornerstone of good water governance Module 3: Integrity tools and approaches: getting down to work Who is this course for? This course is a good fit for people who are seeking a firm understanding of good governance principles and who need a quick overview of different tools and approaches to handle integrity risks. Members of civil society,  international organisations, private sector, and youth movements. Decision and policy makers, regulators, and high-level professionals and managers active in governmental bodies. Students, professors and researchers active in the fields of water governance, water service delivery, sanitation, sustainable water management, Integrated Water Resources Management, and human rights-based approaches. Language English Course created by the Water Integrity Network (WIN), SIWI, and Cap-Net UNDP for the Water Integrity Learning Group.

FREE ONLINE COURSE Introductory level. Self-paced (3 modules, about 12 hours). Open now. Register here for the course in English . Regístrese aquí para el curso en español . An exploration of the overlooked corruption and water integrity failures contributing to poor service in informal settlements, and what to do about them. This course highlights the importance of rethinking approaches to service in low-income areas and outlines the responsibilities of sector stakeholders, in line with the human rights to water and sanitation. Participants learn to identify integrity failures in the water and sanitation sectors and to explore how these issues might affect their work in cities or peri-urban settings. The course draws on case studies from Peru, South Africa, Kenya, and more to introduce ways to strengthen integrity and reduce opportunities for corruption through transparency, accountability and participation. Course outline: Module 1: Informal settlements overview Module 2: Manifestations of integrity failures Module 3: Strengthening integrity Who is this course for? Political leaders, civil society members, human rights advocates, regulators, and water utility staff. Students and researchers in social and technical disciplines. Urban planners, engineers, and architects. Language: English or Spanish

Identifying red flags in planning processes for water infrastructure, from undue influence, inadequate consultation or feasibility studies, to misuse of budgets. WHEN TO USE IT To improve planning processes by identifying red flags in early-stage decision-making and planning processes for water and sanitation infrastructure. To monitor infrastructure planning and hold authorities accountable. HOW IT WORKS FIIP is a data framework, with indicators and data standards for integrity. It covers early phases of infrastructure projects (Strategic planning, Screening and appraisal including feasibility studies, and Budgeting and approval). It evaluates 7 risk areas: from undue influence in decision-making, to misaligned priorites, or manipulated budget processes. HOW IT WAS DEVELOPED FIIP was developed with CoST – Infrastructure Transparency Initiative with support from the Inter-American Development Bank. It has been piloted in Latin America where it helped highlight possible areas of improvement for procuring entities related to: feasibility studies, use and correlation of data on service levels to aid decision-making, and compliance with procedures. Find out more about results and lessons learned from the pilot: HOW TO USE IT We are currently piloting the framework further and open to collaboration with procuring and implementing agencies. Download Methodology Guide:

FREE ONLINE COURSE Introductory level. Self-paced course in Spanish (3 modules, about 12 hours). Open. Register here. An examination of how water and sanitation utilities in Latin America can effectively manage the integrity risks that jeopardise their work and impact. This course provides an overview of practical strategies and tools to promote ethical and transparent management within utilities and thus improve performance and service delivery. Participants explore different integrity dilemmas that may arise in their daily work and the ways to deal with them. They learn directly from the experiences of peers in Latin America and other regions to improve integrity practices. Course outline: Module 1: Integrity risks in water and sanitation utilities Module 2: Strategies and tools to initiate and strengthen integrity processes Module 3: The integrity dilemmas water and sanitation service providers face Who is this course for? Decision-makers in water and sanitation utilities in Latin America who want to initiate or strengthen integrity processes in their organization. Water and sanitation professionals interested in applying integrity management processes within utility companies. Language Spanish

An examination of water governance and regulatory challenges in England and Wales related to financialisation in the water and sanitation sectors. Most water companies in England and Wales have transitioned to ownership by private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, and pension funds. This shift has allowed for complex financial practices and financial extraction. Regulation has been relatively slow to respond. This working paper takes the integrity perspective and looks at transparency, power dynamics, and capacity issues driving the situation. The England and Wales water sector faces an intractable set of problems. Huge investment is needed at a time when interest rates and inflation have increased and some firms are under financial pressure of high debts. People are struggling to pay bills with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and public trust in the water companies is at an all-time low. The situation in the water sector in England and Wales is described by economist Dieter Helm as one of “spectacular regulatory failure”, none of which was inevitable (Plimmer, 2023c). It is unclear how this can all be reconciled within the current structure. Share your feedback here. WORKING PAPER By: Kate Bayliss (SOAS) and Mary Galvin (Water Integrity Network) Published: September 2024 DOWNLOAD (pdf)

Just as the world is aligning around a core set of ideas about how to tackle water and sanitation, the Gates foundation has decided to bet the farm on technology. Not only is this pivot wrongheaded, the way it has been implemented is less than respectful of its partners. Over the past decade there has been an emerging consensus that the solution to the water and sanitation crisis lies in the spheres of politics, governance, economics and planning and not solely (or even mostly) technology. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has been a major contributor to this movement, notably through its support of City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). Why then, just as the movement the foundation is part of is gaining traction, has it turned back on itself – doubling down on its commitment to technology and signalling its intention to abandon its more systems-focused work? --- A shift in strategy that ignores best practice and leaves the poor behind Back in February we started to hear rumours about a dismaying message being circulated to the BMGF sanitation grantees. Announcing the departure of longstanding head of the programme, Brian Arbogast, it also signalled a strategic pivot - refocusing the foundation's sanitation portfolio on bringing to market technologies developed in their “reinventing the toilet” work. Nothing particularly wrong with that. But. Since dipping their toes in the water and sanitation world back in 2007, the foundation has come to wield an outsize influence on the sector. In this way it has brought welcome investment to a much-neglected area.Thanks to the Gates Foundation’s efforts, "non-sewered" sanitation is now seen as a viable, environmentally friendly option in many parts of the world, rather than just a temporary step towards sewer systems. The reinvented toilets that BMGF grantees have been working on are an important part of this shift. That said, the pivot has a deeply negative downside in that, even as they double down on technical innovation, the foundation is walking away from work related to sanitation systems , work they played a major role in championing – particularly City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). The timing of this decision is also surprising. The world is just coming to accept that, while technology has an important role to play in water and sanitation, water and sanitation are not fundamentally technological sectors. Just then, the foundation decides to focus on technology and bringing technology to market. A market that is, at best, embryonic (indeed an important part of CWIS is market development!). The world is littered with infrastructure that fails to work within a matter of years. This is largely due to institutional and governance failures, as well as lack of participation and inadequate capacity building. Technology alone has been tried before. Now, the strategic move will have severe negative consequences for the organisations that have relied on Gates funding to drive crucial systems work forward. Most worryingly, it will have grave consequences for the recipients of the work, particularly the poorest and most marginalised communities. --- Undermining past progress and future governance work The message announcing the changes made the point that “ innovative technology development and delivery is what originally drew the foundation to the sector ”. This is partly, but only partly true. A decade ago, for the first “landscaping” studies of the foundation, it was clear that technology development was not the only (or main) challenge facing the sector. Indeed, some of the foundation’s biggest early bets (including their generous funding of IRC) were based on “systems” work. What is more, even since the "reinventing the toilet" work started, the foundation has steadily done more and more work on the system side of things (including CWIS), precisely because the demands and markets for the reinvented toilets did not, of themselves, exist. It would appear that part of the thinking is that the foundation can focus on the technical work and others will fund the "softer" stuff. This sends a disturbing message – that one of the biggest and most powerful funders of the sector sees governance and the tough, system, capacity strengthening, and institutional work as being of secondary importance. What does this mean for sanitation policy down the line? --- Abrupt rupture with partners There’s a second part of the decision that is also disturbing: the way it is being implemented. Despite the message announcing the change committing to a “respectful and thoughtful transition” with existing grantees, word on the street is that this is not quite how things are going in practice. Nor did the decision itself come out of dialogue with partners - more like a bolt from the blue. Organisations, like ours, that rely on philanthropy to do our work have no right to expect unending flows. Our donors have a right to change their strategies. Of course. That said, there is a growing body of accepted good practice as to how philanthropies can do this. One that acknowledges the power of their money over their recipients and that puts genuine value behind concepts like dialogue and partnership. Part of that includes communicating strategy shifts clearly and well in advance. This was, sadly, not the case this time. We believe a major organisation like the Gates Foundation can, and should, do better. In the end, it’s the foundation’s money and how they spend it is unarguably their business! Even if how they plan to spend it will undermine the progress they, and the sector, have been making over the last decade. The impact for the 1.5 billion people who still do not have access to a decent sanitation service is dramatic. By Barbara Schreiner, Executive Director, Water Integrity Network Patrick Moriarty, CEO, IRC With: Cántaro Azul DORP End Water Poverty Redes del Agua Latinoamérica Zobair Hasan, Chief REM, DORP Herbert Kashililah, Chair, Shahidi Wa Maji Timothy Kpeh, United Youth, Liberia Sareen Malik, Executive Secretary, ANEW Jane Nabunnya, Country Director, IRC Uganda Dr. Fermín Reygadas Robles Gil, Director General, Cántaro Azul Nathalie Seguin, Global Coordinator, End Water Poverty Photo: Everett Bartels  on Unsplash   Disclaimer: At WIN we value honest and open discussion. We are a multi-stakeholder network and our site brings together perspectives from across the board. Not all views expressed here reflect official policies .

An integrity talk between water and sanitation regulators from Eastern and Southern Africa and Latin America Regulation plays a critical role in ensuring that water and sanitation services are delivered to all in a manner that is equitable, efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. Water and sanitation sector regulators hold service providers accountable and coordinate interactions between policymakers, service providers, and users. They also face a broad range of integrity and corruption-related risks, both internal to their organisations or in the entities that they regulate. A response requires regulation for integrity and regulation with integrity. Regulating for integrity means establishing regulations that ensure honesty, transparency, accountability, participation, and ethical behaviour in regulated entities . Regulating with integrity focuses on how regulatory bodies themselves operate , ensuring they embody the same standards of transparency and accountability that they promote. This is a summary of an Integrity Talk, organised with the Eastern and Southern Africa Water and Sanitation Regulators Association (ESAWAS) on October 23, 2024, looking at these emerging aspects of regulation with a focus on Eastern and Southern Africa and Latin America. With special guests: Robert Gakubia, Supervisory Board Member of WIN and former CEO of WASREB (Kenya) Yvonne Magawa, Executive Secretary of ESAWAS Chola Mbilima, Senior Financial and Commercial Inspector of NWASCO (Zambia) Diego Polanía, former Executive Director CRA (Colombia) José Miguel Kobashikawa Maekawa (Director of Audit Authority, SUNASS (Peru) Moderated by Kelly Acuña, Water Integrity Network (WIN). --- Key takeaways for water and sanitation sector regulators Water and sanitation sector regulators set the tone for integrity : The commitment of regulatory bodies to accountability, transparency and ethical practices directly impacts sector-wide integrity. When regulators lead by example, service providers are more likely to align with integrity standards, fostering trust across the sector. Clear accountability frameworks build public trust : Effective regulatory frameworks require clear responsibilities and well-defined accountability mechanisms: from clear and monitored performance objectives, to enforced measures addressing deviations or ensuring compliance. User engagement ensures equitable service delivery : Involving users in decision-making processes contributes to fairer, more effective services in response to genuine needs. --- A culture of integrity for the sector, for trust and sustainability Robert Gakubia: Accountability frameworks are essential to aligning the interests of service providers with the public good. For example, through clear performance objectives and rigorous monitoring, water and sanitation sector regulators can ensure that the resources dedicated to water and sanitation are used effectively and equitably, rather than lost to inefficiencies or misuse. Beyond these measures, integrity requires proactive engagement and collaboration with both service providers and the communities they serve. By actively engaging communities in the regulatory process, regulators can ensure that the needs of the public are directly represented and addressed. This engagement is key to maintaining accountability, as it encourages providers to act in ways that genuinely reflect community interests and discourages behaviour that could undermine public confidence in the system. Yvonne Magawa : Regulating for integrity in water and sanitation means that we are not just telling providers what to do but ensuring they are equipped and motivated to do so in ways that build public trust. This approach also requires a commitment to engaging users in the regulatory process, providing them with channels for participation and feedback. Ultimately, regulating for integrity fosters a culture of honesty and responsibility that protects essential services from corruption and mismanagement, ensuring they reach those most in need. Regulating with integrity, on the other hand, focuses on how regulatory bodies operate within their own organizations, ensuring they embody the same standards of transparency and accountability they promote. By fostering integrity, we create an environment where water and sanitation service providers and communities alike can rely on the regulatory system. This trust hinges on regulators having the independence and authority to implement and enforce integrity measures that safeguard against corruption and ensure service quality. For instance, by enforcing policies that require clear documentation, transparent data management, and public reporting, regulators can help build an ecosystem where transparency is the norm. “Regulators serve as the foundation upon which trust in the sector is built” -Yvonne Magawa (ESAWAS) José Kobashikawa: Water and sanitation sector egulators must prioritise transparency in our own decision-making processes and ensure accountability to stakeholders, including service providers, policymakers, and the public. It’s all about creating a regulatory culture where integrity is central, not just in policy but in every aspect of operations. This includes clear accountability for regulatory decisions and robust safeguards against conflicts of interest, which not only enhances trust but also ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of the public. Diego Polanía: Regulators must set an example by upholding the highest standards internally, which in turn reinforces their credibility when enforcing integrity in the water and sanitation sectors. “If we, as regulators, do not model integrity, it undermines our authority and the very standards we seek to uphold” –Diego Polanía (CRA) Chola Mbilima: It is important that regulatory frameworks not only address present needs but are adaptable to future challenges. As water and sanitation demands grow, so too must the systems that ensure their equitable and ethical delivery. Regulators have a responsibility to stay ahead of sector changes, developing flexible integrity frameworks that continue to uphold ethical standards even as the sector evolves. --- Examples of regulation for integrity – Kenya, Peru, and Colombia Robert Gakubia: In Kenya, the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has established performance-monitoring systems to hold service providers accountable. Clear performance indicators and public reporting requirements have improved transparency, enabling both the public and regulatory bodies to monitor service quality and resource use. These frameworks align provider incentives with public interests, showing that integrity measures are about compliance and creating value for communities. José Kobashikawa: In Peru, the national sanitation regulator (SUNASS), addresses water affordability and accessibility through community engagement and strict anti-corruption measures. Involving local communities in decision-making has been key to SUNASS’s success. By integrating public consultations and transparency in data sharing, SUNASS has been able to tailor services more effectively to meet community needs while reinforcing trust. “We actively listen to communities, which helps in identifying and addressing integrity risks early on. Meaningful engagement fosters public ownership and reduces risks of corruption” –José Kobashikawa Diego Polanía: The Water and Basic Sanitation Regulatory Commission of Colombia (CRA) has incorporated financial and operational audits. These audits are designed to detect mismanagement and to build a framework for continuous improvement. However, audits do more than ensuring compliance with the law, they also identify areas for improvement to strengthen management. --- Challenges for integrity-focused regulation, and how to address them Chola Mbilima: One of our major challenges is limited resources of regulatory bodies. Many regulators operate with constrained budgets and staff shortages, making it difficult to maintain rigorous oversight. This can hinder implementation and enforcement of integrity measures, especially in regions where the demand for water and sanitation services is rapidly increasing. Partnerships with local and international organisations can alleviate some of these constraints with technical support and expertise, but challenges remain. Yvonne Magawa: Another significant challenge is the resistance to change among service providers and, in some cases, within regulatory organisations themselves. Integrating accountability and transparency measures requires a shift in practices and culture, which can be met with reluctance or even opposition. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity here for education and capacity-building, for example, by providing training sessions on integrity and ethics. This can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among service providers. Building these skills helps create a culture where all parties are invested in upholding integrity. Robert Gakubia: It is difficult to combat corruption, particularly in regions with a history of governance issues. While this challenge can seem overwhelming, it also presents a critical opportunity for transparency initiatives and community engagement. By establishing mechanisms that allow the public to report issues and access information, regulators can create an environment where corruption is more easily detected and addressed. The public is an invaluable ally in maintaining accountability and accessible reporting channels empower communities to take an active role in ensuring integrity. Diego Polanía: There are many regulators that have implemented adequate internal processes that strength transparency and prevent malpractices. The challenge is that these processes are not visible to the public. Regulators can do more to make information easily accessible to the public by creating platforms and spaces to showcase what regulators are doing and generate trust (e.g, updated websites, periodical reports, public consultations, etc.).