1. Who will benefit from WaterLinks?
2. How does WaterLinks broker twinning partnerships between water operators?
3. How does WaterLinks support Water Operators Partnerships?
4. Who pays for twinning partnership activities?
5. How long do twinning partnerships last?
6. How can interested service providers engage in a partnership?
7. Would WaterLinks welcome other development partners to join the network to support partnerships or capacity building initiatives?
8. Is WaterLinks only active in Asia?
1. Who will benefit from WaterLinks?
Answer: WaterLinks targets water and sanitation services providers throughout Asia, including public and private utilities, and municipal agencies responsible for water and wastewater services. Partnerships include a “mentor” services provider sharing experience, technologies and information with a “recipient” provider. Recipient providers benefit from strengthened capacity, service improvements, exposure to new practices and technologies, and networking with peers. Mentors benefit from staff empowerment, and a greater understanding of conditions and challenges in neighboring countries.
2. How does WaterLinks broker twinning partnerships between water operators?
Answer: In a twinning arrangement, a water operator interested in new solutions for improved or expanded service is paired with another operator with proven success in addressing similar challenges. As the facilitator, WaterLinks identifies potential counterparts, facilitates establishment of the partnership, and supports implementation of twinning activities. All partnerships are results-oriented, aiming for the adoption of best practices and increased capacities to improve or expand access to water supply and sanitation services.
3. How does WaterLinks support Water Operators Partnerships?
Answer: WaterLinks facilitates WOPs activities and outcomes; presents a catalogue of best practices; and provides the linkage to WOPs networks outside Asia and to partners’ assistance programs. Through its partners, WaterLinks also provides capacity building support for WOPs activities.
4. Who pays for twinning partnership activities?
Answer: Since twinning partnerships are mutually beneficial, recipient and mentor service providers contribute resources, including staff time, access to facilities and equipment, and travel and other related expenses. Development partners that support WaterLinks may also provide funding to support travel and other related expenses.
5. How long do twinning partnerships last?
Answer: Twinning partnerships can last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the project.
6. How can interested service providers engage in a partnership?
Answer: The WaterLinks website (www.waterlinks.org) serves as a clearinghouse for WOPs initiatives, including twinning partnerships, innovative approaches, training activities, toolkits, and other resources, plus WOPs-related scheduled events. Water operators who are keen to participate in WOPs will be able to access the database showing other utilities looking for twinning arrangements, and gain access to materials, toolkits, references, and other resources related to WOPs. The website is maintained and updated by the WaterLinks partners.
Answer: Since WaterLinks is established to coordinate and align the efforts of development partners interested in facilitating WOPs in Asia, development partners with common objectives and interests should contact WaterLinks to discuss cooperation.
8. Is WaterLinks only active in Asia?
Answer: Yes, for now. WaterLinks may be expanded to other regions, depending on development partner interest and commitment.