COWASH IV has successfully concluded its final round of overseas training programs, which aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of its staff. Since January 2024, the project has conducted a series of trainings in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on various aspects of WASH implementation.

The latest training, concluded on December 6, 2024, focused on “Project Management and Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation(M&E) System Development” and was conducted by the Africa School of Project Management, which also delivered all previous training programs for COWASH IV staff. Nine M&E specialists from the project participated in this training.

This training marks the sixth and final round of overseas training conducted by COWASH IV. Previous training programs covered topics of Gender and Disability Analysis and Mainstreaming, Sustainable WASH Solutions, Transformative Social and Behavioral Change Communication, Climate Resilient WASH Programming and Financial Management and Auditing of Donor-Funded Projects. A total of 52 COWASH IV staff have participated in these training programs.

Bertukan Asmamaw, Office Management Assistant at COWASH IV, emphasized that the training programs have been crucial for building team capacity and fostering a strong team spirit.” In addition, the training programs equipped the staff with enhanced knowledge and skills, enabling them to effectively integrate these learnings into their work, ultimately benefiting the project’s efforts to enhance WASH service delivery to rural communities across Ethiopia. Ebsa Feysia, Social Behavioral Change Specialist at COWASH IV, highlighted that one of the key benefits of the training was the opportunity to learn from presentations by Kenyan government institutions, including the Water and Health ministries. He stated, ‘We gained valuable insights into WASH policies in both Ethiopia and Kenya and a deeper understanding of new concepts and technologies within the WASH sector. Ermiyas Reta, a WASH SLA Specialist, agreed stating that the training provided them with a comprehensive understanding of the WASH sector and helped them to discover innovative approaches to water and sanitation.

COWASH IV remains committed to investing in its human capital, ensuring that all staff possess the expertise and skills necessary to drive inclusive and sustainable development.