Forging Sustainable Partnerships: COWASH IV Expands Collaboration with South-west Ethiopia for Rural WASH Development
On 08 October 2022, the COWASH IV Federal Technical Assistance Team (FTAT) had a preliminary discussion with the COWASH IV project stakeholders of the newly established South-west Ethiopia Peoples’ Regional State (SWEPRS).
Before the split of the SWEPRS from the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR), two woredas (Kechi and Mare Mansa) in Dawro Zone of the current SWEPRS were benefiting from the COWASH IV project. In order to continue the working relationship with these woredas, discussions were held between the COWASH IV FTAT and higher officials of the Regional Water and Finance and Economic Development Bureaus and their directors and experts.
Opening the meeting with a welcoming speech, Engineer Beyene Belachew, Head of SWEPRS Water Mines and Energy Resource Development Bureau, said that it is a pleasure for the region to cooperate with projects such as COWASH IV which are working in the rural WASH sub-sector.
Engineer Beyene added that the region is ready to provide any necessary support and committed to the achievement of the project as much as it can with all the challenges it has such as shortage of budget, poor infrastructure, and the like as a new region. He also expressed his hope that the COWASH IV project will support the region in solving the WASH-related challenges it has.
In the discussion, important issues were raised and agreed upon to make the project effective, and all the relevant parties agreed to complete the appropriate preparations in a short period of time and start project implementation.
As per the MoU signed between the Bureau of Finance SWEPRS and the Ministry of Finance, the total budget for the region from the Government of Finland is Euro 363,139 and the expected contribution from the region is Birr 26,418,364 a total of more than 46 million Birr.
Keressa Woreda, One of the Best Achieving Woredas under COWASH IV
Keressa Woreda, One of the Best Achieving Woredas under COWASH IV
COWASH IV CMP Investment Fund Management Guideline Using MFIs
GENERIC CMP INVESTMENT FUND MANAGEMENT GUIDELINE FOR COMMUNITY WATER SCHEMES USING MICRO FINANCE INSTITUTIONS (MFIS)
COWASH FTAT provides training on Micro and Small Enterprise Development to increase sanitation and hygiene in SNNPR and Sidama regions
The COWASH Federal Technical Assistance Team is currently in Hawassa working in cooperation with the SNNPR and Sidama COWASH Regional Support Unit to provide training on Micro and Small Enterprise Development.
The main objective of the training is to enhance the business skills of COWASH-established Micro and Small Enterprises to increase the communities’ use of sanitation and hygiene.
Participants are from the SNNPR and Sidama regions COWASH Regional Support Units, Hadero Tunto (SNNPR) and Chirone (Sidama) woredas a total of 15 trainees who are related to the development of Micro and Small Enterprises.
The training is mainly provided by Mulatie Yinager, Federal COWASH Technical Assistance Team, WASH Business Development Specialist, together with SNNPR and Sidama regions COWASH Regional Support Unit.
The training will continue for three days from August 30- September 1/22 and will continue in the Oromia region to create a common understanding and commitment to the functionality of Micro and Small Enterprises in creating commercially viable and sustainable Market-based Sanitation.
It is recalled that the same training was given to COWASH stakeholders in the Amhara region from August 1-3/2022.
Database Management Training for COWASH IV in SNNPR: Strengthening Data Analysis and Reporting
The Federal COWASH Technical Assistance Team (FTAT) is currently working in collaboration with the SNNPR, Regional Support Unit to conduct database management training in Shashemene City.
Opened by Letta Yatamo, the regional COWASH Project team leader on 26 August 2022, the workshop will train participants from 11 COWASH Woredas, Zones and five COWASH regional sector partners in the use of the recently launched Web-based Planning, Monitoring, Reporting WASH Facility Data Management tool.
The training, which will continue until 30 August 2022, will develop the participant’s skills in data entering and analysis, together with the preparation of reports which will support the measurement of the achievements of COWASH IV.
Enhancing Sanitation and Hygiene through COWASH IV Micro and Small Enterprise Development Training
The COWASH Federal Technical Assistance Team is currently in Bahir Dar working in cooperation with the Amhara COWASH Regional Support Unit to provide training on Micro and Small Enterprise Development.
The main objective of the training is to enhance the business skills of COWASH-established Micro and Small Enterprises to increase the communities’ use of sanitation and hygiene.
Four members of the regional COWASH Regional Support Unit and eight representatives from Desie-zuria and Dangla woredas, a total of 12 trainees, who are related to the development of Micro and Small Enterprises, are participating.
The training is mainly provided by Mulatie Yinager, Federal COWASH Technical Assistance Team, WASH Business Development Specialist, together with Amhara COWASH Regional Support Unit.
The training will continue for three days from August 1-3/22, and this training will continue in all COWASH regions to create a common understanding and commitment to the functionality of Micro and Small Enterprises in creating commercially viable and sustainable Market-based Sanitation.
COWASH IV conducts Database Management Training in Adama City
The Federal COWASH Technical Assistance Team (FTAT) is currently working in collaboration with the Oromia Regional Support Unit to conduct database management training in Adama City.
Opened by Abadir Haji, the regional COWASH Project Coordinator, on 26 July 2022, the workshop will train participants from 11 COWASH Zones, 30 COWASH Woredas and five COWASH regional sector partners in the use of the recently launched Web-based Planning, Monitoring, Reporting WASH Facility Data Management tool.
The training, which will continue to 28 July 2022, will develop the participant’s skills in data entering and analyzing, together with the preparation of reports which will support the measurement of the achievements of COWASH IV.
Source; Oromia Water, Mines and Energy Bureau
Collaborative Efforts for a Greener Future: FTAT COWASH Team Participates in National Green-Legacy Program in Barak Woreda
On 12 July 2022 members of the Federal COWASH Technical Assistance Team (FTAT) joined colleagues from the Ministry of Water and Energy and participated in the 4th National Green-Legacy Program.
Led by the Minister of Water and Energy HE. Dr. Engineer Habtamu Itefa, together with senior officials and employees of the Ministry, and in cooperation with the local community, more than 4,000 seedlings were planted in the hillsides of Barak Woreda, Bura Debebe Kebele.
The trees will support the fight against climate change, contribute to the protection of the downstream catchment and support economic development.
Climate change mitigation is core to the work of the COWASH team and we were very pleased to be involved in this event, especially as Barak woreda is one of the 30 supported by the COWASH project in Oromia Region.