Strengthening the capacities of local organisations and people

The key question of this session at the Fifth World Water Forum in Istanbul is: "What organisational and individual capacity development is necessary to enhance the performance of service delivery and how do we ensure that capacity development reflects local needs?"

This question implies that after almost two decades of capacity development, we still need answers to rather fundamental issues. The question is in fact increasingly relevant in the face of ongoing developments, notably the decentralisation of water management and increasing stakeholder participation. Both have a profound impact on the governance of water services and with that on the capacity needs of national and local stakeholders.

The session provides an opportunity to discuss if capacity development should be done differently if the coverage and performance of water management and water supply and sanitation services are to be markedly improved. In an attempt to answer the key question the session will focus on six subjects that are of prime interest to local organisations and people namely Local Partnerships, Local Autonomy and Self-sufficiency, Matching Demand and Supply, Knowledge Management and Capacity Development Tools, Gender Mainstreaming, and Preparing for Climate change.