IWRM-Kosovo Program enters into implementation
After a highly productive Program inception phase of 1 year having seen intense expert analysis and participatory program design, the contract for the implementation phase 1 (May 2020-April 2024) of the IWRM-K was signed on April 30, 2020 by the SDC.
The aim of IWRM-K is to improve the capacity and strengthen the role of the newly established Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, and especially the River Basin District Authority, as key institutions for river basin management. The Program is going to link technical capacity building and institutional development, whilst nurturing public awareness of environmental issues and enhancement of citizen engagement.
Kick-off if the new SDC flagship project in local governance in Moldova
The kick-off if the new SDC flagship project in local governance in Moldova, “Ma implic” (“I engage”), was done during a 2 days’ planning workshop. Challenges are high: weak municipalities unable to provide sustainable public services, reluctant government to further advance on the decentralization agenda and a disillusioned population. The project and it’s committed team are ready to reverse the dynamic and to have empowered people and strong municipalities!
Addressing discrimination and neglect in WASH: an uncomfortable conversation
The Swiss Water Partnership convened a session on “Addressing discrimination & neglect in WASH: an uncomfortable conversation” and Dr. Kerstin Danert from Skat moderated the session.
Skat at World Water Week (25-30 Aug) in Stockholm
Skat will be participating in the annual World Water Week conference in Stockholm (25-30 August). This year’s theme, “Water for Society – Including all,” is particularly relevant to the work we are leading: when it comes to access to safe, affordable drinking water it is rural people who are left behind.
If you are attending the conference, do join us at one of the sessions below. Skat will also be present at the Rural Water Supply Network booth (C10) and at the Swiss Water Partnership booth (B12).
Sessions
Safely managed drinking water services for rural populations
Date: Wednesday 28 August | 16:00-17:30 ; Room: M5
In rural sub-Saharan Africa, groundwater is central to meeting target SDG 6.1 for safely managed drinking water services. This session provides inspiring examples alongside challenges of managing, drilling for, and extracting groundwater, so that no one in the sub-continent is left behind from using a safe drinking water service. This session is co-convened by Skat, RWSN, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany and Water Mission. Dr. Kerstin Danert (Skat Foundation) will present a case study of Borehole Drilling – Planning, Contracting & Management.
More information: https://www.worldwaterweek.org/event/8349-safely-managed-drinking-water-services-for-rural-populations
Women and Youth: Living Apart Together
Date: Sunday 25 August | 14:00-15:30; Room: L8
Through a world café format, this interactive and participatory session highlights the potential losses facing the water sector due to the absence of active and meaningful participation of women and youth; generates discussions on how to unlock their potential; and suggests the way forward to further their economic empowerment. Meleesa Naughton (Skat Foundation) will present the RWSN Young Professionals Mentoring Programme.
More information: https://www.worldwaterweek.org/event/8576-women-and-youth-living-apart-together-23
Addressing discrimination and neglect in WASH: an uncomfortable conversation
Date: Thursday 29 August | 09:00-10:30; Room: M5
The overarching principle of “Leaving No One Behind” (LNOB) is at the core of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on water to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.
The event will draw together different perspectives on and past and current contributions to the issue of LNOB and discuss how practitioners can address discrimination and neglect in WASH. This session will be moderated by Dr Kerstin Danert (Skat Foundation).
More information: https://www.worldwaterweek.org/event/8468-addressing-discrimination-and-neglect-in-wash-an-uncomfortable-conversation
Sessions co-convened by RWSN
Skat Foundation is the host of the RWSN Secretariat. This year, RWSN has a strong presence at World Water Week and is co-convening 5 sessions with partners on issues of relevance to rural water services.
For more information, see https://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/collaborations/details/107
Exhibition
RWSN Exhibition Stand (C10)
You can come and talk to us at the RWSN exhibition stand, which are co-hosting with other RWSN Member Organisations: Simavi, Nazava and Water Mission. We have a number of events planned at the exhibition stand.
For more information, see https://www.worldwaterweek.org/event/8810-reaching-the-last-mile-water-mission-simavi-nazava-rwsn
Swiss Water Partnership Exhibition Stand (B12)
Skat will also be represented at the Swiss Water Partnership Exhibition Stand.
For more information, see https://www.worldwaterweek.org/event/8757-swiss-water-partnership
Young Professionals Exhibition Stand (D01)
RWSN is co-convening an event at the Young Professionals Exhibition Stand on Monday 26 August, from 1-3pm. Meleesa Naughton (Skat Foundation) will present the RWSN Young Professionals Mentoring Programme.
For more information, see https://www.worldwaterweek.org/event/8840-young-professionals-booth
Skat Position Papers linked to the public consultation on the dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation (2021-2024)
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Human Security Division (HSD) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), together with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), have invited cantons, political parties, umbrella associations and other stakeholders to comment on the draft Dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation 2021–24 (DE, FR, IT) in an public consultation process (DE, FR, IT).
Skat Consulting and Skat Foundation welcome this invitation and have submitted their position papers (see below). Both have endorsed the position paper of the Swiss Water Partnership Position Paper on Water, which has been published here on 15 August 2019.
Attachments:
Skat Consulting Position Paper
Skat Foundation Position Paper