Thematic group on transparency
The thematic group on transparency of the resource centre network RAS-HON in Honduras actively promotes transparency, accountability and access to information for all stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector in Honduras. They do so in order to enable stakeholders to implement anti-corruption measures, allowing greater credibility and good use of public resources and better management to ensure adequate drinking water and sanitation services.
Background and achievements of the thematic group on transparency
The thematic group on transparency of the resource centre network RAS-HON in Honduras was formed, after a series of workshops on the theme, conducted by the Water and Sanitation Program of the World Bank Institute and IRC. One of the first activities of the thematic group was to formulate a proposal for a pilot study on transparency, which was implemented between 2008 and 2009, with financial support from the Water Integrity Network (WIN) and technical support from IRC.
The process of the elaboration of the transparency manual
RAS-HON, as part of a WIN (Water Integrity Network) funded project, developed a manual for facilitators who assist communities and water committees dealing with transparency and accountability issues. The experience of developing the manual has been documented and is presented in a report.
A manual for water boards on transparency, accountability and access to information
How do you tackle corruption in the different phases of a water and sanitation project? Or after implementation in the operation and maintenance phase? This manual contains guidelines and supporting material for those who want to strengthen the management of the community-based water administration boards, in order to ensure sustainability in the management of assets, goods and services. It gives case descriptions of good practices in transparency and accountability implemented in some communities across Honduras.
The manual has been prepared by technical staff with experience in management and training of water boards and sanitation. The manual is a result of the pilot project on transparency, which was implemented by the thematic group on transparency between 2008 and 2009, with technical and financial support of the Water Integrity Network (WIN).
The manual is in Spanish and can be downloaded below.
Manual de transparencia.pdf (1.1 MB)
The media as instrument for accountability, participation and transparency in water and sanitation projects in Honduras
To help prevent corrupt practices, some water committees in Honduras are making information available in the communities through the use of media, for example radio and television. This way those who cannot or do not want to participate in community meetings will still be able to receive specific information about actions of the water committees. The experiences and the lessons learned have been documented in the field note (in Spanish), which can be downloaded below. The field note is an information product developed by RAS-HON’s thematic group on transparency, and forms part of a set of four field notes related to transparency.
Nota_de_campo_4_transparencia_y_medios_de_comunicacion.pdf (2.4 MB)
Social control as a practice in community projects on water and sanitation in Honduras
FHIS (the Honduran Social Investment Fund who traditionally has been the responsible for infrastructure) has started the PEC projects (in Spanish: Proyectos de Ejecucion Comunitaria), in which all responsibilities for the project are transferred to the community. This set-up has two objectives: (1) to prevent corruption practices in the construction of water and sanitation projects and (2) to promote ownership and community participation in the implementation phase as well as in operation and maintenance. In this set up, communities are being trained and coached to carry out all activities, from administration, to arranging the logistics and the actual construction, and are being made responsible for all funds related to the works. Some of the experiences with social control within the PEC projects as well as the lessons learned have been documented in the field note (in Spanish), which can be downloaded below. The field note is an information product developed by RAS-HON’s thematic group on transparency, and forms part of a set of four field notes on transparency.
Nota_de_campo_ 5_transparency_y_contraloria_social.pdf (2.3 MB)
Accountability and financial transparency in water and sanitation projects in Honduras
A successful approach to improve governance and sustainability of water and sanitation projects in small communities has been the formation and training of water and sanitation administration boards (in Spanish JAAPS: Juntas de Agua Potable y Saneamiento). However, there is always a risk of corruption within these community-led organisations, if transparency and accountability strategies are absent. This field note describes the types of corruption that can occur in the different phases of a project cycle. It also presents some anti-corruption strategies and as well as some lessons learned. The field note is in Spanish and can be downloaded below. The note is an information product developed by RAS-HON’s thematic group on transparency, and forms part of a set of four field notes on transparency.
Nota_de_campo_ 6_rendicion de cuentas_transparencia_financiera.pdf (2.2 MB)
Transparency practices to ensure equity in water and sanitation projects in Honduras
The successful implementation of community-led water and sanitation projects depends heavily on the degree of consensus between and commitment of the community members. This can be difficult in communities with a high degree of cultural, political and religious diversity, and with people from different socio-economic backgrounds. Problems can lead to favoritism, giving others a better service, and mistrust of the water and sanitation administrative boards. Transparency and democracy in the decision making, accountability and access to information are mechanisms that promote equity and enable confidence in the leaders and members of the water and sanitation administrative boards.
This field note describes the types of corruption relating to inequity that can occur in the different phases of a project cycle. It also presents some anti-corruption strategies that can be implemented to ensure equity. The field note is in Spanish and can be downloaded below. The note is an information product developed by RAS-HON’s thematic group on transparency, and forms part of a set of four field notes on transparency.
Nota_de_campo_7_practicas_para_garantizar_equidad.pdf (2.1 MB)
