Partners roles during scaling up phase

On the 5th October 2009, WASHCost Burkina Faso took another step forward in preparation for the scaling up phase. It was the official launch of the talks with research and academic institutes of Burkina Faso partners during the scaling up phase of the research activities.

Next to the meetings focusing on the analysis of the data collected from the field during the last pilots, a strategic meeting was organised. Five important research institutions were invited to attend the talks regarding networking and research activities in the coming phases. The idea was to come up with a functional “Task Force” by setting up a core group which will play a major role in research activities and in the search for solutions on research issues.

In order to emphasize the importance of the process and to achieve strong commitments, an official ceremony was organised to launch the talks. Main participants were the International Institute for Water and Environment, the University of Ouagadougou, the University of Bobo-Dioulasso, CREPA Burkina Faso, CREPA headquarters. The ceremony was chaired by the General Director of Sanitation. In her speech, she recalled the government's expectations for the WASHCost project and her willingness to support the project. The general director of CREPA brought his support to the ceremony too. In his speech, he invited the partners to come to concrete action proposals for their involvement in the project. CREPA, he said, will be willing to facilitate the process of this networking for the sake of the project's success in Burkina Faso. The global governance specialist, Dr Christelle Pezon, was at the official podium to represent IRC, the project’s technical and financial partner.

Participants at the WASHCost Scaling up meeting in Burkina Faso

It will take several days to arrive at consensus over the roles of the main partners. But yet, the commitment of the authorities and the host institution will be decisive in the achievement of the discussions of which outputs are expected by the end October. Conclusions of the talks will be taken to the November 2009 meeting in Mozambique.

Last but not the least, the country officials and the host institution are willing to embed the project in their respective institutions and become the project ambassadors both in- and outside the country.