Investing in national and local capacity for water and sanitation supports global initiatives aimed at accelerating decent jobs creation, enhancing social protection, and promoting social justice.

Access to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. Meeting this need directly impacts health and well-being, which in turn affects people’s ability to engage in productive activities. The ILO supports global goals, such as SDG 6 and 8, and collaborates with the United Nations to “deliver as one” through its decent work agenda embedded in the SDG targets. The ILO works with its tripartite constituents on water and sanitation issues, identifying and implementing investment priorities to create decent job opportunities while ensuring safe water access for communities. The ILO's Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) assists member States in addressing unemployment and underemployment through public investment, typically in infrastructure development. By adopting an employment-focused approach, the programme builds capacities to implement inclusive water and sanitation infrastructure that has positive  economic, social and environmental impacts.

The following are examples of water and sanitation projects implemented in various countries where the programme provides technical support: 1) In Nargis, Myanmar, a post-crisis emergency response was implemented to support livelihood recovery. This involved a combination of access-improvement infrastructures and sanitation facilities in cyclone-affected areas.  2) In Gonaives, Haiti, watershed management initiatives were undertaken to support environmental protection while providing income support to vulnerable communities. These efforts aimed to build resilience against extreme weather events. 3) In Philippines, a post-crisis response focused on providing income support with an environmental objective. This included rehabilitating water facilities and implementing watershed management in affected communities, including livelihood development for indigenous tribal peoples. 4) In Jordan, adaptation works and peacebuilding initiatives were carries out through the construction of green community assets. 5) In Sudan, a special public works programme in the water sector addressed the adverse effects of drought in agricultural areas. 6) In Kebribeyah and Jigjiga (Ethiopia), socio-economic recovery efforts were directed towards flood-affected communities. Flood protection and  mitigation measures, along with water and sanitation interventions, were implemented through infrastructure projects. 7) In Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay, support was provided to improve local capacity for planning, building and managing water resources, particularly with indigenous and rural communities. 

These interventions successfully demonstrated the use of local resource-based approaches to optimize job creation content while enhancing community assets, protecting the environment and promoting gender equality and social inclusion. 

 The Water Action Agenda aims to address the global water crisis, accelerating progress during the second-half of the Water Action Decade (2018-2028) and second half of the 2030 Agenda. ILO’s contributions across the water domain underscore the need to scale up implementation and foster global discourse, supporting concerted action towards achieving SDG 6 &8. As such, the ILO commits to investing more in improving national and local capacities for sustainable public investments in water, contributing to job acceleration, social protection, and social justice.