“We help ensure the quality of projects implemented in Tajikistan”

SKAT supports the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) partners in quality assurance of water projects while strengthening synergies and peer learning.

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Lucien Blaser, as Advisor Water, Sanitation & Hygiene you are officially “backstopper” for the mandate of the the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)in Tajikistan. What does that mean?

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We support the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan in the implementation of their large water portfolio. The focus – whether in policy dialogue, project implementation, or knowledge management – is to ensure the quality of the projects implemented by SDC partners such as Aga Khan Foundation, Equidev, Helvetas or International Secretariat for Water (ISW). At the same time, we strengthen synergies and peer learning between partners implementing Swiss financed water projects.

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Can you give an example of what this work looked like during the year?

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In June 2024, we accompanied a monitoring visit of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) staff to their projects in the Tajik part of the Ferghana Valley. We gathered learnings for the long-term orientations of the water portfolio and provided recommendations on the implementation of the projects. We also facilitated a workshop on sanitation in schools and healthcare facilities to stimulate exchange among SDC projects working on the topic, structure common learnings and address challenges.