Facilitator Notes

Published on: 09/11/2011

Introduction

Governance is about the processes by which decisions are made and implemented. It is the result of interactions, relationships and networks between the different sectors (government, public sector, private sector and civil society) with the purpose of ensuring optimal services. It involves all the mechanisms, processes, institutions and relationships through which citizens and groups articulate their interests and exercise their rights and obligations.  It encompasses all the power relations between stakeholders to determine who gets what, when and how.

Governance operates at different levels, from the national level to households within a community. Governance shapes the way a service or set of services are planned, managed and regulated within a set of political social and economic systems to ensure sustainable services.  Many stakeholders are involved. At local level, stakeholders include local government (councillors and officials), community based organisations, NGOs, water services providers, community representatives, local associations, and possibly traditional leadership. Not least, stakeholders at local level include the users of services.

‘Water governance’ means rules and practices for decision-making about water policy and their implementation, i.e. the range of political, institutional, and administrative processes through which stakeholders articulate their interests, their concerns are considered, decisions are taken and implemented, and decision-makers are held accountable in the development and management of water resources and delivery of water services. (OECD)

Good governance achieves water, sanitation and hygiene services that are sustainable, in which stakeholders, including the most vulnerable in society, have a say in key decisions and where access is equitable and fair. Good governance involves constructive co-operation between the different stakeholders and addresses gender, transparency, accountability, capacity, sector learning and performance issues.

Purpose of this module

The purpose of this module is to ensure a common understanding about what governance, water governance, local governance and WASH governance is.  It aims to provide a conceptual approach to applying good governance practices to WASH governance and services provision.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module participants will:

• Understand the concepts and elements of governance, good governance and WASH governance
• Have a working knowledge of principles for good WASH governance
• Be familiar with the different components of a WASH service
• Have an understanding of how to apply concepts of good governance to strengthening WASH services provision within their locality

Preparation by participants

Participants should come to this session with answers to the WASH governance questions that were part of the preparation for Module 3 of the WASH training programme). 

Duration

This module is designed for one day comprising 6 hours of session time and 2 hours for lunch and tea breaks.

Module outline

Resources for the facilitator

• Presentation: Introduction and learning objectives
• Presentation: WASH governance 
• Background paper: WASH local goverance (J. de la Harpe)

Resources for participants

• 8 pager
• handouts

Further reading