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BPD is a world-wide network of partners involving government, business, civil society and donors.
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BPD Resources
BPD disseminates findings through its newsletter, Crystal Clear, this website, and other key publications to share best practice widely. The Document Map image lays out our approach to analysis and contains direct links to all of our documentation.
All documents will be made available in either text format or .pdf files that can be fully downloaded from this website. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to download the pdf documents.
If you are unable to download any of these documents and would like copies sent by post, please contact us.
Crystal Clear Newsletter
- Crystal Clear is available now as an elecronic e-bulletin (sign up).
- Edition 11 (November 2005)
This edition introduces latest research activities on pro-poor regulation, our latest documents (Partnership Accountability; the Annual Report and an Activity Report), feedback on the EPP course, the BPD AGM and September 05 Board Meeting.
- Edition 10 (February 2005)
This edition introduces new BPD research & training activities and provides an update on the AGM & Dec 04 Board Meeting.
- Edition 9 (May 2004)
Issue 9 gives feedback on the learning sessions developed by BPD at several international events, an update on recent project support in Angola and Tanzania and further information on our latest research. Our guest writer focuses on partnerships and accountability. (8 pages)
- Edition 8 (November 2003)
The current edition gives feedback on the recent AGM, the work with transactions advisors on pro-poor reform and partnership, an update on BPD project support, recent events and a guest piece on Small Scale Independent Water Providers. (8 pages)
- Edition 7 (March 2003)
The current March 2003 edition highlights the next phase of BPD, BPD activities at The Third World Water Forum and it has a feature article on the right to water by the Chair of BPD. (8 pages)
- Edition 6 (May 2002)
In this sixth and final edition of Crystal Clear for BPD Phase 1, we recap on the last three years of the initiative and outline our plans for the future. We also feedback on recent activities and research papers - 'Making Innovation Work through Partnerships in Water and Sanitation Projects' and the paper on 'The Interface between Regulatory Frameworks and Local Level Partnerships'. (8 pages)
- Edition 5 (September 2001)
In this fifth edition we showcase an article by Steve Waddell extracted from analysis on emerging models for providing water and sanitation to the rural poor (based on the South African experience). We then highlight two recent research pieces: a short synthesis of the findings from the three sectoral workshops held in 2000 and a summary of a Cost Recovery in Partnership survey. Finally we introduce two forthcoming research reports on Education and Awareness in Partnership and Alternative Approaches to Service Provision. (12 pages)
- Edition 4 (September 2000)
The fourth edition reports on the NGO and Public Sector workshops (bringing together same-sector counterparts from the focus projects). The BoTT (Build, operate, Train and Transfer) projects in the Northern Province and Eastern Cape of South Africa are showcased. Other Cluster research is introduced (the tri-sector partnership survey and the cost recovery survey). (8 pages)
- Edition 3 (April 2000)
The third edition looks at some of the research activities being conducted by other institutions (including partnership issues, private sector involvement in the water and sanitation sector, ways of reaching the poor, and community participation in service delivery). The La Paz-El Alto project in Bolivia (condominial sewer networks and a strong partnership focus on sanitation) is showcased. The South Africa action learning visit is also reported upon. (8 pages)
- Edition 2 (December 1999)
The second edition introduces some of the difficulties and challenges of tri-sector partnership and then discusses various ways to overcome such barriers. The challenge of urban sanitation is discussed, with specific reference to some of the focus projects. The Kwa-Zulu Natal focus project, set-up in response to the BPD, is showcased. The Clusters role within the bigger BPD picture is explained and upcoming events discussed. (8 pages)
- Edition 1 (August 1999)
The first edition introduces the BPD and its mission and suggests that tri-sector partnerships among private, public and civil society present a viable mechanism for addressing water and sanitation problems in teh fast growing cities of the South. It looks at the changing persapectives of stakeholders and the potential benefits expected from such partnership arrangements. (8 pages)
Annual Reports
- 2004-2005 - 20 page report covering April 04 to March 05
- 2003-2004 - 32 page report covering April 03 to March 2004 (et en Franais) (y en Espaol)
- 2002-2003 - 5 page Executive Summary detailing BPD activities from April 02 to March 03 (en Espaol / en Franais)
- 2000
Begins with background to BPD, setting it in the context of global water and sanitation policy. Reviews the progress of BPD over the calendar year and outlines the work plan for 2001. (34 pages including appendices)
- 1999
BPD Knowledge Resource Group Products
- Putting Partnering to Work
This second BPD-wide report was launched by the Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP, UK Secretary of State for International Development, on 18 April 2002 in London, UK. The report itself is an analytical compilation of the lessons learned across BPD's four Clusters. It presents recommendations tailored to four target audiences: business (inluding multi-national companies and investors); international NGOs; developing country governments; and, multilateral and bilateral development agencies.
- Endearing Myths, Enduring Truths: Enabling Partnerships Between Business, Civil Society and Government
This report, called the 'Preview', provides an insight into the early lessons learned across BPD. It was based on interviews with the Cluster coordinators and a review of documentation. Also available in French From the Projects
- Flexibility by Design Full Report
(Flexibility by Design Executive Summary)
A multi-disciplinary team of experts engaged in municipal capacity building, corporate social responsibility, NGO-private sector relations, domestic water and partnership spheres assembled to draw out partnership lessons stemming from actual focus project experience. Their analysis was based on the Clusters internal Partnership Analysis Reports which for each focus project document the context, formation process, partnership structures, individual and mutual goals and incentives, evolution and institutionalisation, impacts and key lessons. The team considered what we know about when and how tri-sector partnerships are effective at: 1) providing water and sanitation to the poor? & 2) building systems in which the poor have a sustainable voice? This exciting study presents their findings. (36 pages including appendices)
- Emerging Models for Developing Water Systems for the Rural Poor: From Contracts to Co-Production
A review of the South Africa BoTT project, an innovative experiment in creating a multi-sectoral consortium to speed delivery and transfer of rural water and sanitation systems. The study documents the BoTT experiment (a BPD focus project) through a partnership lens, analysing the approachs strengths and weaknesses, from which general lessons can be drawn about how to structure and manage tri-sector partnerships. (34 pages including appendices)
- Buenos Aires Study Visit Report
This document reviews the findings from the Buenos Aires Action Learning Programme, one of the first activities of the BPD Water and Sanitation Cluster. This brought representatives together from several of the projects to gain an understanding of the innovative approaches being used by the project partners in poor communities in Buenos Aires. Sectoral Analysis
- NGO Workshop Report
The NGO workshop, the first of a series of same-sector workshops, brought together NGO counterparts from the BPD focus projects. Practitioners analysed the various sectoral attributes and the ramifications these have for partnership. Two sets of preliminary recommendations were determined for NGOs considering entering into a tri-sector partnership: (i) recommendations for partnerships, which included contracting mechanisms, governance structures and partners responsibilities, and (ii) recommendations for project design in partnership, including the need for community participation in decision-making at every stage of the project cycle. (23 pages including appendices)
- Public Sector Workshop Report
The Public Sector workshop, the second in the series of same-sector workshops, brought together public sector counterparts from the BPD focus projects. Practitioners analysed the various sectoral attributes and their ramifications for partnership. Further issues discussed included the role of the community, contracting mechanisms and governance structures, public sector transition following private sector involvement, cross-sector contracts, partnership balance of power, indicators and the role of NGOs and communities, amongst others. (46 pages including appendices)
- Private Sector Workshop Report
The Private Sector workshop, the last in a series of same-sector workshops, brought together private sector counterparts from the BPD focus projects. Practitioners analysed sectoral attributes and their ramifications for partnership. Further issues discussed included the value and challenges of NGO involvement, the need for institutionalisation of partnerships and organisational buy-in, partnership monitoring and evaluation and the need for clear and agreed indicators, amongst others. (35 pages including appendices)
- Tri-Sector Workshop Report
The fourth and final workshop in the series brought together project practitioners from all the eight projects and from all sectors. The key objective for the workshop was for the project practitioners to reach a set of conclusions as to when and how partnerships between the sectors facilitate the provision of services to the poor. (6 pages) Themed Research
- The Partnership Paperchase: Structuring Partnership Agreements in Water and Sanitation to Serve Low-income Communities
Many partnership practitioners grapple with introducing paperwork into their relationships. For instance, should agreements be bilateral or should joint paperwork between multiple partners be developed? What would be the purpose of joint paperwork and how and when should it be negotiated? BPD has explored this issue of how to formalise partnership arrangements through different types of agreement; the analysis is presented here.
- The Interface between Regulatory Frameworks and Partnership
The emphasis of the report is twofold: to see how the local regulatory framework shapes the actions of the partners, and to see what, if anything, partnerships can offer to regulatory bodies. The study also looks at how partnerships could better understand how the regulatory regime affects the delivery of services to the poor, how they could take this into account when designing their activities and what pro-active steps they could take.
- Making Innovation Work through Partnerships in Water and Sanitation Projects
The report aims to determine whether innovative approaches are an effective mechanism for serving the poor and whether tri-sector partnerships facilitate the implementation of these approaches. Those selected for study ranged from condominial water supply and sewerage systems, community-managed standposts and pre-payment meters, to alternative billing, payment and collection methods tailored to the needs of the poor. The study did indeed find that the multi-sector partnership played an important role in each project - providing an environment that fosters innovation and the resources needed to maximise the potential of new approaches.
- Education and Awareness in Partnership
Participants from all three sectors and from all 8 focus projects attended the Education and Awareness in Partnership Workshop (held 9-11 May). The principle aims of the workshop were to explore how E&A works in partnership, to identify and understand approaches that have been successful and those that have not, and to understand how the partnership facilitates (or inhibits) these different approaches.
- Cost Recovery in Partnerships
Achieving financial sustainability is an increasingly important goal in water and sanitation projects around the world. This stems from a growing recognition that water is an economic good and that the benefits of projects are likely to be short-lived if the projects are unable to recover costs. The BPD conducted a study into how each of the focus projects addresses the challenge of cost recovery and serving the poor in partnership. This report brings cost recovery challenges, goals and strategies to light, and to identify where there are lessons to be learned from the diverse and rich experience within the BPD. (42 pages including appendices)
- Tri-Sector Partnerships Beyond Those of Participating Groups in the BPD Cluster
Commissioned by the Cluster, this document provides the findings of a review of tri-sector partnership experience in water and sanitation projects beyond those of groups currently working with the BPD Water and Sanitation Cluster. Having surveyed over 70 organisations worldwide, few examples of truly tri-sector arrangements were encountered, but those that were found are reviewed in this study (in Angola, the Philippines and Argentina). The study also reviews those networks (partnership-related or otherwise) in which these projects participate. Further information on tri-sector partnership projects would be welcomed by the Cluster. Practitioner Notes
- Partnership Accountability Unpacking the Concept
This paper attempts to unpack the term accountability specifically with regard to partnerships. As a supplement to The Partnership Paperchase, the aim of this piece is not to be prescriptive but to promote a greater understanding of how different accountability mechanisms can be represented through more careful attention to partnership practices and documentation.
- Community-Focussed Partnerships: Unpacking Sustainability
In Singida, Tanzania, WaterAid has recently started a project that looks to test some new ideas on both partnerships and on scaling up by working with the local government, local NGOs and local private sector to bring water and sanitation services to nineteen peri-urban communities. This note tries to capture some of that early learning.
- The Purists Partnership: Debunking the Terminology of Partnerships
This paper looks at the current rhetoric surrounding partnerships. Given that partnership language frames expectations, being honest about the challenges of multi-sector partnerships is the only way to ensure that partnerships are used most effectively.
- Plotting Partnerships: Ensuring Accountability and Fostering Innovation
This paper explores the way practitioners approach multi-sector partnerships in order to deliver services, based specifically on design features in water and sanitation projects. By plotting partnerships on two axes that balance Innovation and Accountability against Policy and Task Orientations, this report aims to reveal where opportunities for both delivery and influence are being missed.
- Analysing the potential of multi-stakeholder dialogue in water and sanitation sector reform
Many countries are currently undertaking water and sanitation reform. In many of them, policymakers and practitioners are grappling with resistance to reform, in particular to private sector participation and changes in tariffs. There is limited understanding of the practical mechanisms that can bring multiple stakeholders together over a contentious issue. This paper suggests that more analysis should take place on how to overcome issues around timing, political will, capacity constraints, electoral cycles, transparency, etc.
- The changing context around private sector participation and water sector reform
Many countries are currently undertaking reform in the water and sanitation sector. However in the last few years a number of factors have contributed to significant changes in the way this reform is proposed, designed and implemented. This paper analyses the changes that have taken place since the inception of the BPD (in 1997) and the current perspectives of the key stakeholders in todays debate.
- Benefits to NGOs of Tri-Sector Partnerships
This note briefly surveys the benefits to NGOs and civil society organisations of working in partnership to reach the poor. It introduces the concept of tri-sector partnerships, where civil society is given a formalised role in partnership alongside the public and private sectors. It suggests ways in which both poor communities and NGOs can gain from such engagement, and deals with the concerns that partnering may arouse.
- Benefits to the Public Sector of Tri-Sector Partnerships
This note explores the benefits to the public sector of working in partnership to serve poor customers. It suggests why the public sector should seek help in serving poor customers and introduces the concept of tri-sector partnerships. It suggests ways in which both poor communities and public institutions can gain from such engagement, and deals with the concerns that partnering may arouse.
- Benefits to Business of Tri-Sector Partnerships
This note examines the benefits to business of working in partnership to serve poor customers. It suggests why private companies should be concerned with serving the poor and introduces the concept of tri-sector partnerships. Reasons why private sector actors (whether large or small, international or local) should be interested in partnering with civil society and the public sector are discussed. Equally, circumstances where TSPs may not be the best option are suggested.
- The Interface between Regulatory Frameworks and Tri-Sector Partnerships
Addressing regulatory issues is rarely at the centre of tri-sector partnership's concerns, even though the constraints set by regulation may have a great impact on what can be achieved. Similarly, regulatory institutions do not necessarily see the relevance of co-operating with partnerships for dealing with issues related to the provision of water and sanitation services to poor consumers. Based on BPD experience, this practitioner note calls for a greater dialogue between regulatory institutions and local-level partnerships.
- Making Innovation Work Through Partnerships in Water and Sanitation Projects
This Practitioner Note draws on the experiences of the eight BPD focus projects, which have developed a range of alternative solutions for the delivery of cost-effective services to the poor. It examines how and why the approaches were developed, assesses their potential for replication and considers how tri-sector partnership has contributed to their evolution.
- Contracting NGOs
Multi-sector partnerships often rely on NGOs to represent the interests of civil society. This practitioner note reviews the main issues, challenges and approaches associated with contracting NGOs
- Partnership Indicators
Measuring the effectiveness of partnerships between sector groups proves particularly challenging. However, the creation and maintenance of a carefully selected set of indicators tailored to specific partnership projects should enhance relations by increasing clarity and reinforcing communication channels. This paper provides considerations for the creation of such partnership indicators.
- Conceiving and Managing Partnerships
This paper aims to relate the BPD initiative to the existing body of research into partnerships. It provides a few guidelines on partnership formation, discussing the objectives of collaboration, setting-up governance structures, delineating roles and responsibilities and evaluating partnership impacts.
- Perceptions of Partnership
Based on a series of sector-specific workshops bringing together practitioners from partnership projects on the ground, this note looks at perceptions of style and competencies of the three sectors. Understanding these expectations at the outset allows partners to move from the "generic" to the specific qualities of their proposed partners.
- Cost Recovery
Cost recovery in water and sanitation projects is an integral component of long-term sustainability. This practitioner note outlines the ways in which a multi-sector partnership can both help and hinder the achievement of a financially sustainable project. |
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