A Water Working Group (WWG) used to operate under the auspices of CRDA since the early1990s. In 2005 the
Working Group is reactivated and served as an important platform for NGOs operating in the sector. The Group
among others, Initiated and facilitated the CSO WASH contribution study, organized various discussion forums
and meetings for sharing relevant information, experiences and strengthening the group and represented Civil
Society Organizations working in the sector in various important occasions. The dynamics and ever
increasing challenges in the water and sanitation sub sector calls for a more integrated and coordinated
responses of all stakeholders. This necessitated further strengthening of the Group. Consequently the
former WWG is promoted to the present WSF.
The Water and Sanitation Forum of CRDA (WSF) was officially launched on February 5, 2008 to serve as a
common platform for civil Society Organizations operating in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sub Sector in
Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVES
The Forum’s major objectives are the following:-
To engage in shared learning and promotion of best experiences in the sector;
To engage in joint advocacy and lobbying in the sector;
To network and build partnership among members for better coordination and collective impact in
WASH sector; and
To show the role and contribution of CSOs/NGOs in WASH sector.
MEMBERS
Currently WSF has about 56 local and international NGOs working in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sub
Sector. Their role is to approve official documents, etc. as the supreme decision making body and they meet
quarterly to biannually. The Steering Committee is comprised of seven member NGOs who carry out the
daily work of the Forum, meeting monthly or twice a month depending on the need. The Steering Committee
comprise of volunteer NGOs who are then voted on by the Forum members. The current Steering Committee
comprises of:
WaterAction
Intermon-Oxfam
Water Aid Ethiopia
Ethiopia Kalehiwot Church
Ethiopia Country Water Partnership
Norwegian Church Aid
RiPPLE
AREAS OF ENGAGEMENT
Learning, documentation & information sharing
Joint training
Advocacy and lobbying
Joint Research
Code of conduct regarding standards and quality control
Collaboration with international similar forums/networks/coalitions/groups
THEMATIC GROUPS IN WSF
Research, advocacy and lobbying
Learning, documentation and awareness raising
Coordination and networking
PARTNERS
Right from its birth, WSF is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and DAG
Water Group. The Forum is also planning to establish a partnership relationship with relevant Federal and
Regional government organizations, the private sector and other likeminded actors including regional and
International organizations and Networks to work towards a common cause.
If you are interested in reading more about the Water and Sanitation Forum:
