Leveraging resources for WASH : lessons from WASH SDG programme in Shashamane and Negelle Arsi woredas in Ethiopia

Leveraging resources for implementation of WASH activities is one of the main approaches of the WASH SDG programme. When designed, the programme had a plan to leverage resources from woredas to complement the available programme funding. The programme planned to leverage resources in cash, in kind or in labour from the woreda WASH sector offices (Water, Health, Education, and Finance), from microfinance institutions (MFIs) that can provide loans for sanitation to small and micro enterprises and households to build improved latrines, and from user communities in cash, in kind or in labour.  

53, 515 people living in the ten target kebeles of the two woredas benefited from safe water supply in phase I and 55,000 people are expected to benefit from phase II. The water supply component was successful in leveraging 43% in phase I, and 33% in phase II of the total project cost from government and the community.  

The main challenges during this process were inflation of the cost of construction materials, lack of coordination and delay in procurement processes in phase I, limited availability of loans for sanitation small and micro enterprises (SMEs), lack of ownership and awareness about deforestation and overgrazing, and overall unavailability of a specific conceptual framework for leveraging resources for WASH.  

The leveraging experience has opened new windows of opportunity for better collaboration and partnerships between NGOs and government. The experience could encourage other donors to invest in this sector to increase access to WASH services.