Charles B. Niwagaba and Priscillah Oluoch of IWA’s Inclusive Urban Sanitation Task Force discuss capacity building to support Citywide Inclusive Sanitation.
Charles B. Niwagaba, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, Makerere University, Uganda
Capacity building to improve efforts to achieve Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) should be developed based on a comprehensive needs assessment, and the selection of the right mix of people for training is essential. Training needs to target high-, mid- and low-level managers and staff. Without this range of experience and skills, the information flow chain will be broken.
Unfortunately, high-level staff often don’t have time to attend local training workshops and instead send less experienced members of staff. To improve capacity, we need training opportunities to catch all categories of employees. It is also important that the content of capacity development training is appealing, hands-on, and reflects the reality of the task to avoid trainees losing interest.
Capacity building of high- to low-level managers is not enough to realise meaningful sanitation improvements at community level. Capacity building needs to also include behaviour change and provide managers with the tools to promote behaviour change campaigns in the community. Such campaigns require a carrot and stick approach, and genuine enforcement is necessary.
Capacity building for non-technical key stakeholders, such as politicians, Mayors, councillors or other elected leaders should also be undertaken. Where possible, capacity training in the community would also be beneficial.
The Kampala Wejonje campaign is a good example. The Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda, worked very hard with stakeholders to support and build capacity to improve sanitation. The challenge, however, is that the project is funded externally, and it is not clear if the current momentum can be maintained.
Priscillah Oluoch, Head of Sanitation for Malindi Water and Sanitation Company (MAWASCO), Kenya
For a utility like ours, or similar utilities aiming to incorporate and institutionalise the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation framework, there are several key challenges in building the necessary capacity. The CWIS framework prioritises safe, equitable, and sustainable sanitation for all, emphasising that service provision must adapt to the entire city, including all its residents, with special attention to underserved and vulnerable communities. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort that is adaptive and innovative.
Securing adequate funding is often the primary barrier to enhancing sanitation infrastructure. Investments are needed not only for initial capital outlay, but also for ongoing operation and maintenance. Utilities must explore diverse funding sources, including government budgetary allocations, international aid, private investments, and possibly sanitation tariffs/levies that reflect the true cost of services while ensuring affordability.
Institutionalising CWIS requires supportive policies and regulations that encourage inclusive and sustainable sanitation solutions. This involves updating or creating regulations that facilitate non-sewered sanitation solutions, faecal sludge management, and resource recovery options. Engaging with policymakers to ensure that the legal and regulatory environment supports innovative and inclusive sanitation solutions is critical.
Developing and maintaining CWIS requires technical skills across different areas, including engineering, urban planning, environmental science, and public health. Building this capacity within utilities might involve specialised training, hiring practices, and partnerships with academic institutions and technical experts. There is a need to embrace a diversity of appropriate and innovative technical solutions and approaches, combining both on-site and sewered solutions, with consideration of resource recovery and re-use.
Successful implementation of CWIS relies on community acceptance and participation. This involves sustained outreach and education to change sanitation habits and encourage community involvement in planning and maintaining sanitation systems.
Effective planning and management of sanitation services require accurate data on sanitation needs, infrastructure, and service levels across different city areas. Developing robust mechanisms for data collection, management, and analysis is essential. This includes geographical information systems (GIS) and real time data reporting tools that can help in decision-making and in adjusting strategies as needed.
“Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort that is adaptive and innovative”
Solutions need to be scalable and adaptable to different parts of the city with varying demographic and geographical characteristics. This may involve piloting approaches in different areas, which can be expanded and adapted as they prove successful and as additional resources become available.
Ensuring that sanitation solutions are environmentally sustainable and contribute to resource conservation is crucial. This requires innovative approaches that not only address immediate sanitation needs but also contribute positively to the local and global environment. Addressing these challenges effectively calls for an integrated approach where financial resources, technical expertise, community engagement, and supportive policies are aligned. It also requires leadership that is committed to the principles of inclusivity and sustainability.
Market-based sanitation initiatives in places like Malindi, Kenya, can offer invaluable insights into sustainable development and community empowerment. One remarkable success story in this sector is the implementation of a decentralised waste management system in Malindi.
The project began with extensive community engagement to understand local needs, perceptions, and cultural practices related to sanitation. This step is crucial to ensuring the sustainability and acceptance of any sanitation intervention.
Thorough market analysis was conducted to identify existing sanitation products and services, as well as gaps and opportunities within the local market.
The project focused on empowering local entrepreneurs, particularly women and young people, to become key stakeholders in the sanitation value chain. Training programmes were provided to equip them with the necessary skills in waste collection, recycling, and the sale of sanitation products. Innovative sanitation products and services were introduced based on the specific needs and preferences of the community.
To ensure affordability and accessibility, the project explored various financial mechanisms such as microfinance, subsidies, or pay-as-you-go models.
Collaborating with local authorities and policymakers is essential for creating an enabling environment for market-based sanitation initiatives.
Continuous monitoring and evaluation are critical for measuring the impact of intervention, identifying challenges, and adapting strategies accordingly. This data-driven approach helps ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
By following these steps and leveraging the power of market-based approaches, communities in Malindi and beyond can achieve significant improvements in sanitation coverage, public health, and environmental sustainability. This success story demonstrates the transformative potential of empowering local communities and harnessing market forces for positive social change. •
More information
use.metropolis.org/case-studies/the-weyonje-app
For IWA’s Inclusive Urban Sanitation initiative, see: iwa-network.org/projects/inclusive-sanitation
