Why political Economy Matters in the Water Sector – RésEAU network Learning Event, 25 October 2023.

RésEAU, the sister network of SDC Network on Climate, DRR and Environment, is pleased to invite you to a learning event onWhy political Economy Matters in the Water Sector, taking place on 25 October 2023, 15.00-16.30 CEST. The online workshop is jointly organized by theRésEAU (SDC’s Water network) and thePGE section. Please find here below some more information and if interested, please register using the link in the announcement.

Information on the e-workshop:

This e-workshop provides a space for exchange amongst water professionals and governance experts to unpack and address the political and economic power dynamics often encountered in water projects. Insightful examples on how PEA is applied in concrete contexts will feed this interactive session. The event is as well an opportunity for networking and for peer to peer exchange – potentially nurturing a future Community of Practice (CoP) on PEA.

Speakers

• Javier Zubieta, Sustainable Landscapes Subprogram Manager, Helvetas Bolivia with a case studyon“Watershed management in areas of mining activity, Bolivia”

• Anne Joselin, Infrastructure Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK with a case studyon“Enhancement, monitoring and operation of an urban water supply system, Democratic Republic of Congo”

• Prof. Dr. Tobias Haller, Co-Director of the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern with reflectionson the RésEAU Brief #4 “Why political economy matters in the water sector”.

Case studies

Case Study 1:Watershed management in areas of mining activity, Bolivia Mining has a direct negative impact on surrounding water sources, to which Bolivia’s mines near Río Blanco and Río Suches are no exception. Helvetas Bolivia supports efforts undertaken to reconcile the areas’ mining activities with the preservation of watershed quality, by adopting an integrated water resource management (IWRM) approach. This integration of seemingly conflicting interests is attained by harnessing synergies between all involved stakeholders within the watershed.

Case Study 2:Enhancement, monitoring operation of an urban water supply system, Democratic Republic of Congo The UK’s FCDO supported the renewal and expansion of an urban water supply system, including infrastructure and business planning for financial sustainability through the introduction of a management system at the tap-stand level. This was planned through a launch of a not-for-profit company to manage the tap-stands instead of the local water utility. This required understanding of the existing system, the incentives and power structures, as well as rent-seeking behaviour and opportunities. The PEA analysis for this project contributed to adjustment of the project and a more solid footing for longer-term sustainability of the system.

How to join

This e-workshop will take place on 25 October 2023 from 15:00-16:30 CEST. Check your local time here.

To attend, please registerhere by using this linkby 24 October.

An email will be sent to all registered participants with connection details prior to the e-workshop. The sessions’ recording will be posted the RésEAU platform.

Complementary Resources

In order to make the most of this webinar, participants may find the following reference document of use: RésEAU Brief No. 4, Why political economy matters in the water in the water sector, April 2023.

About

This webinar is organised jointly by SDC’s Water Network “RésEAU” and SDC’s Peace, Governance and Equality Section. For questions related to this webinar, please contact [email protected].

Find further detailed information about SDC’s approach to Political Economy Analysis can be found here.