In 2010, the UN Assembly recognised the Human Right to Water and Sanitation (HRWS). Among the principles having been adopted and that should be reflected in national policies are those of Participation and Accountability. Because the water crisis is a governance crisis, with corruption at its core.

Integrity awareness has increased at international, national and local level, and in the water sectors of countries where Swiss development organisations are active. Financial losses due to corruption are reduced and therefore, ressources for water and sanitation are increased and better managed, with a full participation of beneficiaries.

Investment allocation and project investment in Water and Sanitation infrastructure in rural and semi-urban involve Civil Society, and have equitable, transparency ad accountability mechanisms in place, at least in three countries; The management of Water and Sanitation services and water resources has improved in terms of integrity, equity and sustainability in at least three countries (Nepal, Guatemala, Mozambique); Increased engagement and capacity of Swiss based organisations and their networks (Swiss Water Partnership, NGO Consortium) to work on integrity in the water sector; Increased capacity of WIN to document and share at global level concrete actions and results in countries

Water Integrity Network (WIN) represented by Transparency International

Target groups are national authorities designing and implementing policies in the water and sanitation sector, local authorities and community organisations that contract service providers. Civil society organisations active in policy dialogue and advocacy are also targeted. Swiss based development organisations working in the WATSAN sector are included. Other target groups are private sector and for profit entities, as well as wider community of international and regional organizations , which can provide a platform for political advocacy, including networks of mayors and municipalities for example.

SDC has supported the Water Integrity Network (WIN) since 2009. This has allowed to promote the issue of integrity in the water sector at the global, regional and national levels as well as to support local projects in Central America, Africa, Asia, through national integrity coalitions. WIN has developed tools and training manuals (Advocacy guide, Annotated Water Integrity Scan (AWIS), Integrity Pacts, Factsheets…). About 3000 members have signed the Water Integrity “Code of Conduct”, including SDC.