Support Decentralization and Networking for RWSS in Peru

Timeframe: Jul 2007 – Jul 2008

Implemented by WSP

Partners: WB Operations, water sector institutions, SDC, sector coordination group

Desired Project Outcome:

Improve and more sustainable RWSS services through strengthened institutional capacity at national, regional, and local levels and supporting the sector decentralization process. It is expected to have validated experiences on decentralization and improvement of service delivery to the poorest rural families, contributing to create the basis for a new “Social Agreement” to fight rural poverty.

Project Description:

WSP will continue supporting the sector agreement processes on central and regional levels, acting as facilitator and promoting its experiences. The following key issues and actions will be implemented for the present year:
1. Support to the validation of the National Sector Plan and elaboration of the Regional Sector Plans (Cusco and Cajamarca), coordinating with the National Directorate of Sanitation and the Regional Consultation Committees, through workshops and seminars, to promote the ownership of the goals towards the MDGs.
2. Strengthening of the regional and local governments capacities to improve the rural water and sanitation services; in Cusco, through the support provided for the systematization and lessons learned of the SANBASUR Project (Cusco) on its closing and transfer to the Regional Government phases; in Cajamarca, with the implementation of the IV phase of the PROPILAS Project. A study will be carried out to explore the service delivery in rural disperse zone, which is estimated in more than two million of inhabitants. These experiences will be transferred to DNS. On the other side, it is expected to prepare a document or Manual that summarizes the main lessons learned in rural water and sanitation. 3. Technical assistance to the MVCS’ DNS on the implementation of the pilots of the Sector Information System, on the rural area of the Cajamarca and Lambayeque regions, using training and monitoring activities; and the systematization and dissemination, coordinating with the Sector Committee. To provide TA to DNS in designing a strategy for the rural disperse population. Two studies will be carried out (i) inventory of water sources for rural communities and risk prevention in regional basin and (ii) Study on training and accreditation of human resources for the provision of water and sanitation services in rural area.
4. The sector institutions will be supported on the promotion of Health and Hygiene Education from the schools, through the dissemination of the Cusco experience, including contents on water culture and health and hygiene promotion on school programs. One new pilot will be implemented in Region of Ayacucho
5. Strengthening of the Sector Committee at central and regional level. Support to the establishment of the Sub Committee of “Education in Health and Hygiene”. Active participation in strengthen of “Grupo de Agua”.

Assumptions:

1. The sector authorities of the new government are receptive and respond quickly to regional demands.
2. The new management of the DNS is demanding WSP to continue supporting the Sector Information System (SIS) proposal.
3. The authorities and Regional Governments participate actively on the review and validation of the Sector Plan and promoting inter-sectoral agreement.

Indicators of Outcome:

1. 1 SIS regional implementation unit operating - Jun 08
2. 2 regional governments implement sector strategies - Jun 08.
3. 2 regional governments have incorporated the regional program the Promotion of Health and Hygiene and Water Culture - Jul 08.
4. SANBASUR’s experiences and lessons are disseminated at regional and national level – Jun 08.
5. Water sector has a Manual that summarizes the experiences, lessons and intervention methodologies in rural water and sanitation.

Project Milestones:

1. The authorities of the new Regional Government (Ayacucho) has established a agreement with WSP Nov 07
2. The Regional Sector Agreement Committees have adopted plans and commitments to promote and monitor the MDGs on the sector – Feb. 08.
3.  Sector Committee has validated the report with the Rural Water and Sanitation Manual (April 08)

You can access the description of the programme through the database of WSP activities.