Fostering Knowledge Exchange for Capacity Development among Public Water Utilities
Aqua Publica Europea – The European Association of Public Water Operators
(
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
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#SDGAction50591
Description
Like water, knowledge is a common good.
Recognizing the power of peer learning, the UN has been calling for operators to support one another since 2006. Aqua Publica Europea (APE) and its members are actively involved in this global challenge and have been sharing their knowledge with peers, through the UN-led Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), since 2011. Dozens of APE members have participated as mentors to their counterparts in developing countries.
Building on its active membership within this global movement, APE launched ‘Water Erasmus’ in 2017: an initiative that fosters knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning among public water operators, members of APE. The objective of the initiative is to develop and strengthen the capacity of public water operators to address common environmental and societal challenges, as well as to promote a shared culture of water management based on the values of efficiency, affordability, innovation and the strong involvement of elected officials and citizens in strategic decision-making.
The initiative is based on an ‘on-demand’ approach: following a request for support from an operator, one or more exchanges (online and/or in person) are organized with other operators that have best practices and experience to share on the challenge. Since the launch of the project, more than 30 exchanges have been organized on a wide range of issues, from digitalization to energy efficiency and nature-based solutions. The value of the initiative has been recognized by European Institutions.
Aqua Publica Europea commits to opening participation in Water Erasmus knowledge exchanges to utilities from developing countries that are not members of APE, free of charge. To identify and connect potential beneficiaries, Aqua Publica Europea will work in collaboration with the Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance – the UN Habitat initiative that promotes capacity development among water utilities worldwide – of which APE is a member.
The effective work of local water utilities is crucial for the achievement of the SDGs. APE members and their peers in developing countries contribute through their work to all the SDG6 targets, from universal and equitable access to water and sanitation to the protection of water-related ecosystems.
More specifically, our initiative is linked to SDG6.a. The action is expected to facilitate and support the capacity development of public operators in developing countries in all aspects of drinking water and sanitation management. Through the flexible, on-demand approach of the Water Erasmus initiative, knowledge exchanges – especially online – are easily accessible to public utilities worldwide and can represent a useful complement or introductory action to the more structured partnerships for capacity development promoted in the framework of GWOPA.
In particular, these exchanges should allow public water and sanitation utilities to learn from their peers – in a simple and quick way – about concrete management and technological solutions that have worked (or not) in other contexts and to assess the replicability/adaptability of these solutions to their own context.
The Global Water Operators' Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA)
Members of Aqua Publica Europea
More information on the Water Erasmus initiative: https://www.aquapublica.eu/context/water-erasmus
The value of the Water Erasmus initiative recognized by European Institutions: https://www.aquapublica.eu/article/news/eu-committee-regions-encourages…
List of Aqua Publica Europea members: https://www.aquapublica.eu/members
SDGS & Targets
Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
6.1
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.1.1
Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
6.2
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.2.1
Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
6.3
By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.3.1
Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated
6.3.2
Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
6.4
6.4.1
Change in water-use efficiency over time
6.4.2
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
6.5
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.5.1
Degree of integrated water resources management
6.5.2
Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation
6.6
6.6.1
Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time
6.a
6.a.1
Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan
6.b
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
6.b.1
Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management
SDG 14 targets covered
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Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network
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Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Global
Other beneficiaries
Public water utilities from developing countries
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Milo, Executive Director