PROJECT: UNDP-SIWI WATER GOVERNANCE FACILITYIntegrity

WGF contributes to the global knowledge base on water integrity through the development of tools and approaches, and through documentation and adaptation of global best practices. This knowledge is translated into actual pro-integrity changes on the ground by targeted capacity building of water stakeholders across the world.

• In various global platforms and networks, WGF advocate and highlight the importance and requirement to invest in good governance and in water integrity and accountability in particular. To place good water governance high on the global water policy agenda.
• We initiate, feed and stimulate public debate. We advocate for clear roles and responsibilities between national stakeholders.  WGF facilitates public discussion towards finding agreements on sharing roles and responsibilities.  We support the drafting of national policies and strategies formalising the assignments.  We develop guidelines and tools in support of dissemination and implementation of policies and strategies.
• We develop and propose institutional arrangements, regulations and accountability mechanisms, for different stakeholders who are impacting water but also  impacted by water.
• We build capacity and support institutions in mapping and addressing corruption risks.
• We support institutions to improve transparency, and accountability in their mandate enforcement, in programme implementation and in water organisation’s operations through knowledge, fact-based advocacy and capacity development.
• We promote values and facilitate practices of transparency, stakeholder participation, enforcing anti-corruption measures, by research, knowledge production, global advocacy, and by training.
• We implement comprehensive capacity building at all levels to scan and address accountability weaknesses in the water sector.

Accountability Mapping is important to make targeted interventions possible. Additionally, it enables the monitoring of such interventions over time.  Mapping accountability is a participative process that assesses the status and gaps of accountability relations amongst stakeholders.

Through accountability diagnosis, often combined with capacity building, it is possible to identify institutional arrangements and delivery processes that need to be improved and draft an action plan. The interventions can thereafter be monitored so that progress can be assessed.

Through technical advice and development of assessment frameworks, WGF facilitates and supports nationally owned Accountability Mapping and Water Integrity Risks Assessments at country level, to inform water integrity activities. Together with the Water Integrity Network (WIN) and the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre, WGF has developed a User’s Guide on Assessing Water Governance.

At the policy level, WGF participates in various global platforms and networks to advocate for the need to place accountability and integrity high on the global water policy agenda.

SIWI is one of the founding members of the Water Integrity Network (WIN), a network with the mission to increase integrity levels and reduce corruption in the water sector through a pro-poor and pro-equity focus. For the past decade, WGF and WIN have cooperated on various  activities, including at World Water Week in Stockholm and the World Water Forum. WGF is one of the Forum Partners of the Water Integrity Forum in the Netherlands.

WGF advocates for good water governance and proactive investments in anti -corruption measures. This is often done through the UNDP country offices and through the Regional Capacity Building programme in Africa and the MENA region, WGF helps countries design national policies that create an enabling environment to strengthen integrity. It must be easy for public, private and civil society sector representatives to resist corruption; those who fail to do so should be held to account.  Citizen should be able to participate in decision-making processes.