Watershed – empowering citizens
Improve water, sanitation and hygiene services in areas where water resources are limited or inadequate.
![](https://simavi.nl/media/pages/medialibrary/762a8a78df-1642079950/009-valentine-mombafi-kenya-watershed-ws-valentine-01-1200x.jpg)
About the Watershed programme
Watershed empowering citizens programme is a strategic partnership between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IRC, Simavi, Wetlands International and Akvo. Watershed delivers improvements in the governance and management of water, sanitation and hygiene services as well as of the water resources on which they draw.
Impact of the programme
The objective of this programme is improved governance of the WASH sector that is responsive to the interests of marginalised groups. This means:
- that in the countries where we work we see competent community organisations and their networks lobby effectively for the realisation of the human right to water and sanitation;
- communities and citizens are able to and are well organised to demand their rights to water and sanitation and have a seat at the table when it comes to decision making regarding WASH planning and budgeting;
- and lastly, global civil society effectively demands fulfilment of the human right to water and sanitation and equitable and sustainable allocation of water resources.
Contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):
- SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation - Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Approach of the Watershed programme
In most countries, the emphasis will be on strengthening capacity on policy influencing to identify the main challenges in planning, implementing and regulating water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and water security and develop appropriate budgeting processes.
Implementing partners will work to raise awareness of government processes and citizens’ rights, roles and responsibilities in holding government and service providers accountable.
Budget: €16.336.000, Simavi budget: €4.268.000, Duration: 5 years, Location: Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya and UgandaDo you want to know more about our programmes? Our programme team is happy to support!
More programmes
WASH SDG
The goal of the WASH SDG programme was to sustainably improve access to, and use of, safe drinking water for at least 450,000 people, sanitation for at least 2 million people and improve the hygiene behaviours of 1.6 million people.
WASH & Learn
Improve water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for girls in schools and the surrounding communities by constructing bathrooms and raising awareness.
WASH First
Prevent the spread of Covid-19 by promoting hygiene awareness and improving access to safe and clean water, toilets and washing facilities.