Lesson Learned
Posted on September 30, 2019 by Karina de Souza
Authoring Organizations: | Pacific Institute |
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Consulting Organizations: |
2030 Water Resources Group
Anheuser-Busch InBev Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) PVH Corp |
Universal: | No |
Applicable Phases: | Prepare, Scale & Exit |
Last Updated | Oct 3, 2024 |
Consider a balance of different funding sources when initiating and maintaining projects. Admittedly, without confirmed funding, it may be difficult to convince partners to come on board. However, the type and distribution of funding can impact the longer-term sustainability and success of any partnership, as it may incentivize some partners to stay engaged.
A dynamic partnership with multiple contributing partners can contain risks. A project plan with very strict funding criteria may prove too inflexible to adapt to project challenges. Instead, seek funding sources from different partners to allow planning for independent maintenance funding post-project. This blend of funding sources will allow for the following:
In Zambia, the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) was initially planned and designed with only lead partner involvement. Eventually the partnership grew to include 25 partners. Initially, when local partners were engaged to participate, the distribution of funding to partners was a challenge.
As the partnership developed, partners formed a secretariat for LuWSI by the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) in response to the need for future management of funds without GIZ. NWASCO was able to resource the day-to-day running of the LuWSI secretariat. Many projects come with funding specific to the project and don’t usually consider a proportion of the budget for the secretariat administration and operations. However, LuWSI is now looking to become a legal entity which will make it eligible to receive independent funding so it will not need to be hosted by one partner alone. It will be LuSWI’s role to plan for responsible and independent funding of the project and partnership for the longer term.
Lusaka Water Security Initiative (Project)
To strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration to safeguard Lusaka's water resources while enhancing the sustainable and timely access to water and sanitation for all." Cooperation is crucial if the complex issue of water security is to be addressed sustainably. Water security is … Learn More
This lesson learned reflects the beliefs and experiences of the author, not necessarily the Pacific Institute, CEO Water Mandate, or UN Global Compact.