2015年-世界发展银行全球_Support_to_National_Capacity_Development___Framework_for_Improving_Water_and_Sanitation_Services_in_Bangladesh_30页_1mb

Summary of World Bank Technical Assistance for Union Parishad Capacity Development in Bangladesh

Core Content

This document summarizes the World Bank's technical assistance (TA) project P131960, aimed at supporting the National Capacity Development Framework for Improving Water and Sanitation Services (WSS) in Bangladesh. The project focused on enhancing peer-to-peer learning among Union Parishads (UPs), improving horizontal accountability in service delivery, and strengthening the long-term capacity of local government institutions to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable WSS services.

Main Objectives

• Strengthen peer-to-peer learning processes among Union Parishads.
• Improve horizontal accountability communication and monitoring systems.
• Enhance the capacity of local government to deliver quality WSS services.
• Support policy development based on local practices and data.

Key Information

Context

• Bangladesh has made significant progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7 targets for water and sanitation.
• 85% of the population has access to improved water supply, and 57% to improved sanitation.
• Despite progress, quality of services remains a major concern:
  • 40% of latrines are classified as unimproved.
  • 20% of water sources are contaminated with arsenic at the source.
  • 12% of water is contaminated at the point of use.
• The rural population is served by over 4,500 Union Parishads, the lowest tier of local government.

Background

• The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives leads the WSS sector in Bangladesh.
• The National Capacity Development Framework for UPs was developed with support from the Swiss Development Cooperation and the World Bank's Water and Sanitation Program (WSP).
• The Framework includes:
  • Supply-driven training for core functions.
  • Demand-driven training for elective functions.
  • Peer learning (horizontal learning) for sharing and replicating good practices.
• The Horizontal Learning Program (HLP) was initially a pilot, later scaled up to 32 UPs by 2011, and became part of the National Capacity Building Framework in 2012.

Process

• The project emphasized peer-to-peer learning rather than top-down capacity building.
• Activities included:
  • Identifying and documenting good practices.
  • Sharing practices through workshops and fact sheets.
  • Replicating practices using local budgets.
  • Monitoring progress through peer reviews and validation.
• A horizontal accountability system was developed to improve communication and monitoring between local governments and their citizens, as well as between the central government and local institutions.

Results

• Client capacity increased: UPs were empowered to identify, replicate, and advocate for good practices.
• Policy / strategy informed: Several national policies and strategies were revised or developed based on the collation of good practices, including:
  • The Arsenic Mitigation Implementation Plan (IPAM 2009).
  • The Union Development Coordination Committee (UDCC) Meetings.
  • The Holding Tax policy.
  • The 100% Sanitation initiative.
• Knowledge deepened: Open data platforms, geospatial tools, and crowd-sourcing initiatives were established to improve transparency and knowledge sharing.

Outputs

The project generated a variety of outputs, including:

• CapDev Framework for UPs (signed by 8 donors, 2 Divisions, and 3 training institutes).
• Core curriculum for UP capacity building.
• Scale-up of the Horizontal Learning Program (from 383 UPs in 37 upazillas in FY11 to 660 UPs in 68 upazillas in FY15).
• 22 good practice fact sheets in English and Bangla.
• Union Parishad Handbook on Improving Rural Infrastructure Services.
• Open data platforms for WASH sector data and geospatial information.
• Union Parishad Help Line (UPHL) for two-way information sharing.
• Water and Sanitation Hackathon Report.
• Mapping of Hard to Reach Areas for WSS services.
• Policy notes on arsenic screening, open budgets, and disability-inclusive investments.

Intermediate Outcomes

• Client Capacity Increased:
  • Institutionalization of the Horizontal Learning Center (HLC) within NILG.
  • Establishment of five HLP hubs in specific districts.
  • Increased exposure and adoption of good practices by UPs.
• Policy / Strategy Informed:
  • Integration of good practices into national curricula.
  • Development of policy guidelines for WSS services.
  • Implementation of 100% Sanitation and Arsenic Screening as national priorities.
• Knowledge Deepened:
  • Establishment of GEODASH, a geospatial data sharing platform.
  • Development of an open data tool for WSS.
  • Promotion of crowd-sourced mapping using OpenStreetMap.
  • Creation of open knowledge systems for sharing and replicating practices.

Lessons Learned

• Peer learning is more effective than traditional top-down training.
• Local ownership and participation are crucial for the sustainability of good practices.
• The integration of good practices into policy and strategy enhances their impact.
• Open data platforms and geospatial tools are essential for transparency and accountability.
• The project has laid the groundwork for horizontal accountability systems and capacity development frameworks that can be sustained beyond the TA period.

Conclusion

The World Bank's technical assistance project P131960 has played a vital role in enhancing the capacity of Union Parishads to deliver quality water and sanitation services. By promoting peer learning, improving horizontal accountability, and supporting the development of open data systems, the project has contributed to the institutionalization of best practices and the formulation of national policies that reflect local needs and experiences. The project's exit strategy is based on the establishment of local implementing agencies to continue the peer learning process, ensuring that the benefits of the initiative are sustained at the grassroots level.