The aim of this project is to help ensure sustainable water and basic sanitation provision in the Cajamarca region of Peru. In doing so, it should improve the quality of life and the impact of investment in rural areas. The project should lead to the adoption of the PROPILAS water and sanitation management model in other regions of the country. The main focus of activities is building regional and local capacities to ensure efficient planning and project implementation, and ultimately the provision of universal access to water and basic sanitation. During Phase V of the project, the regional government of Cajamarca will implement PROPILAS recommendations and take over responsibility for the running of the project. It has already earmarked the necessary human and financial resources for this work.

Capacity-building in regional government departments responsible for water and basic sanitation provision.

Current efforts which are under way to improve the implementation of regional public policies on water and basic sanitation provision should be backed up by a capacity-building process involving the regional department for housing, construction and basic sanitation (DRVCS), as well as the regional departments of health (DIRESA) and education (DRE). Strategies should be developed which will make it possible to influence local governments, the public and private sectors, as well as investments.

Support of the regional government in its efforts to improve access to water, as well as the quality and sustainability of the water supply, based on equitable distribution and an integrated management approach in terms of regional public policies and the regional water and sanitation plan.

Target 7C of the MDGs requires political engagement, responsibility, innovation and creativity from the entire water and basic sanitation sector. In response, the DRVCS spearheads the development of strategies to ensure that the results of investments are not only effective but also sustainable. The implementation of the regional water and sanitation policy, however, will require an integrated management approach. Particular attention must be paid to marginal groups, such as rural communities. This will require local governments to take on an advocacy role.

Project results

The focus of the pilot phase of PROPILAS was the development and testing of the water management model. This phase is coming to a close and the project is now entering its fifth phase. The aim of this phase is to roll out the model, strategies and instruments across the region.

By the end of 2010 a multisectoral model should be in place and managed by he regional government, specifically the DRVCS. Alternatives will be developed to improve the sustainability of water and basic sanitation provision at regional level. The following outcomes are expected:

• The strengthened capacities of the regional government and a number of its departments (DRVCS, DIRESA, DRE) will enable the effective and efficient implementation of both regional water and sanitation policies and the regional integrated sanitation plan.
  
• The regional department of housing, construction and sanitation, together with the departments of health and education, will develop strategies which build on their capacities, raise awareness of issues surrounding water and basic sanitation provision, and form the basis of public education campaigns on hygiene and environmental matters.
  
• The regional executive committee (CER) and local initiative committees (CIL) will work alongside local organisations dealing with gender-based issues to ensure the joint monitoring and evaluation of public policies on water and sanitation and the regional sanitation plan.
  
• The regional department of housing, construction and sanitation will coordinate, manage and strengthen the capacities of local governments in charge of implementing and monitoring integrated water and sanitation management projects.
  
• Local governments will manage integrated water and sanitation management projects and use models that have already been implemented successfully in rural regions.