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VISITING ADDRESSKoningskade 402596 AA The Hague+31 70 351 97 51The Netherlands
POSTAL ADDRESSPO Box 932182509 AE The HagueThe Netherlands
ANNUAL REPORT DUTCH WATER AUTHORITIES 2015
WATER GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS
The Netherlands, a country that lies mainly below sea-level. Therefore, well known for its knowledge of and expertise in good water governance. The OECD emphasized this by rating water governance and its future reliability in the Netherlands with an 8.5.1 The regional water authorities want to share this knowledge and expertise with foreign partners and in the meantime learn from their knowledge and expertise. International projects are an impulse for innovation and support the development of the regional water authorities and their employees.
Since 2014, the regional water authorities operate and collaborate with each other to combine all international affairs. They operate in an alliance called Dutch Water Authorities. Over the last year, Dutch Water Authorities has become a strong brand name and alliance. This ensured our position in several international ambitions and projects, where we share our specific knowledge and expertise of good water governance and the building blocks that are fundamental to its success. The number of request for our expertise has risen and there are several highlights that we want to share with you. Both these numbers and these highlights can be found in this annual report. In the meantime, we also combine our strengths in the Netherlands and increase awareness among the Dutch population, as dry feet and clean water are not a given certainty.
The International Water Ambition (IWA) of the Dutch government is one of the ambitions in which Dutch Water Authorities participates. The IWA aspires to contribute to reducing flood risk and improving water quality in eight urban deltas up to 2019. The long term goals established in the IWA require good water governance. Dutch Water Authorities will contribute by collaborating with other government agencies in the Netherlands and by exchanging their specific knowledge and expertise of good water governance
through several projects on international cooperation and export promotion. In addition, Dutch Water Authorities participates in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water is an important subject in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), as good water management is a condition for overall development. The Netherlands plays an important role in sending this message to and in improving water management in developing countries. Dutch Water Authorities want to contribute to this good cause. Therefore, we share our knowledge and expertise on water management, water quality, financing and water governance worldwide.
Moreover, my personal motivation to become the new board member for International Affairs is my passion for encouraging personal development. Working abroad is an experience that provides practical knowledge that no text book can teach you. It enriches your professional life and is therefore a remarkable HR tool. Last year, efforts were made to enhance the relationship between HR and working abroad. My goal is to further develop these efforts and in the process stimulate the involvement of the regional water authorities in our international activities. I will do this in line with the objectives stated in the Vision 2019 for Dutch Water Authorities. This vision was developed in 2015 and states all our objectives concerning, among others, our internal growth ambitions and a professional cooperation with national and international partners.
The Hague, The Netherlands, December 2015
H.Th.M. Pieper, MSc
The successes of the previous years are accomplished thanks to the endless efforts of my predecessor and well-valued colleague Gerard Doornbos and all colleagues of Dutch Water Authorities. They are scattered all over the Netherlands, still their passion and collaboration with each other and external partners is the success of this alliance.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS
Dutch Water Authorities wants to combine the knowledge of the regional water authorities with commercial businesses to strengthen their commercial business position in the international market. The first good practice of Dutch Water Authorities is the contract with Royal Haskoning DHV for the Nereda technology. Royal Haskoning DHV hires and trains employees of the regional water authorities to assist during the start-up period of NEREDA installations abroad.
Conducting dialogues was an important instrument to achieve these goals. These dialogues were mainly between employees of Dutch Water Authorities, and coordinators of international affairs and HR professionals of the regional water authorities. It was important for Dutch Water Authorities to get more knowledge of their needs and make use of the expertise already available. These dialogues were a rich source of information, resulting in several Dutch Water Authorities products in line with the goals set beforehand. Therefore, these dialogues will continue on a permanent base in the following years.
DUTCH COMPANY 7%
DUTCH GOVERNMENT 39%
DUTCH KNOWLEDGE-BASED INSTITUTION 7%
DUTCH NGO 5.9%
DUTCH RISK REDUCTION (DRR) 1.2%
FOREIGN COMPANY 3.5%
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT 5.9%
FOREIGN KNOWLEDGE-BASED
INSTITUTION 20%
FOREIGN NGO 5.9%
OTHER 4.7%
Kind of organisations that approach Dutch Water Authorities
CLEAN WATER FOR LA LIBERTAD AND FUTURAGUA MATAGALPA
Over the last seven years the Dutch Water Authorities and the municipality of Doetinchem have collaborated with local partners to improve water management in La Libertad, Nicaragua. In the project ‘Clean water for La Libertad’, Dutch specialists shared knowledge with their foreign colleagues about integral basin management, organising water facilities and small scale wastewater treatment. After seven years the project has now successfully ended. Simultaneously, the Futuragua project in Matagalpa ended after a period of four years. In this project the Dutch Water Authorities combined forces with the municipality of Tilburg and Brabant Water to train and coach Matagalpa water institutions. The main focus has been on improving the urban storm water drainage system, reducing the peak flows in the surrounding river catchments and optimizing drinking water supply and wastewater treatment. Both projects were co-financed by the NWB Fund.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDE FOR WORKING ABROAD
Working abroad has a positive effect on the personal development of employees. Research among the regional water authorities concludes that it enhances skills in the field of communication, flexibility, innovation, situational awareness and that employees become more stress resistant. However, research also shows that these competencies could be enhanced even more. It can be enhanced by a good preparation of the project and foreign culture beforehand, by giving feedback during the project and reflecting on the results upon return. The personal development guide for working
abroad includes overall information, workshops on, amongst others, project management, integrity and communication in different cultures and tips and tricks to acquire the best personal and project results in a foreign project. Moreover, stories of colleagues are told to emphasise the added value of working abroad.
FOREIGN TRADE MISSIONS
Dutch Water Authorities took part in trade mission delegations to India and South Africa, led by the Dutch Prime Minister, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Netherlands Water Partnership. In addition, Dutch Water Authorities accompanied a trade mission to Colombia, directed by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment. Important contributions were made respectively by Dutch Water Authorities chairmen Gerard Doornbos, Michiel van Haersma Buma and Hein Pieper on several water themes during these trade missions. In India (June 2015) the main focus was on the role of water in urban infrastructure and on water and coastal management. The focus in the mission to South Africa (November 2015, #cocreateSA) was on water governance, planning, local government and sanitation. As a result of the successful cooperation between the Netherlands and South Africa, Prime Minister Rutte and President Zuma decided to continue the Kingfisher partnership towards 2020. In Colombia (September 2015) the focus was on integrated sustainable and effective water governance, which resulted in a Water Governance Partnership to collaborate the forthcoming four years. The trade missions were organised to enhance trade between Dutch and foreign businesses.
WEBSITE
More information on our foreign projects and (innovative) projects in the Netherlands can be found on our website www.dutchwaterauhotities.com. The website also entails contact details and more information on the regional water authorities and their history.
INNOVATIVE FINANCING FACILITIES
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Dutch water authorities and NWB bank to assist in installing innovative financing facilities in ten developing countries. The objective is to receive the necessary financing for water infrastructure projects by attracting local privately owned money by investing development aid money. In this manner the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s ). Participating in the realisation of the SDG’s is part of the vision of Dutch Water Authorities. Therefore, Dutch Water Authorities supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by giving amongst others presentations on the financing model of the regional water authorities to inspire other organisations. Contributions were made by Gerard Doornbos at the financing conference of the SDG’s in Addis Ababa in July 2015, where he gave a presentation on the financing of water in the Netherlands. Moreover, we want to make future contributions by assisting water organisations in improving their revenue streams.
REQUESTS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Dutch Water Authorities collects the requests of national and international partners concerning international collaboration. There are 87 registered requests from January until December 2015. The different diagrams in this annual report show, amongst others, the differences in nature and origin of these requests.
KINGFISHER PARTNERSHIP; WELCOMING SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION
As part of the Kingfisher project Dutch Water Authorities hosted a high-level delegation of South African water managers in the Netherlands. The delegation consisted of CEOs of Catchment Management Agencies, chaired by the Deputy Director General of the department of Water and Sanitation. Dutch Water Authorities and VNG International offered the delegation a flavour of Dutch water expertise and high-level meetings. This activity was part of the Kingfisher strategic partnership agreement between the South African Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Dutch Water Authorities and VNG International, on establishing Catchments Management Agencies in South Africa. These can, to a large extent, be compared to the Dutch regional water authorities. Ever since 2004, the Netherlands and South Africa share expertise on the decentralisation of water governance and its political and strategic aspects.
DUTCH RISK REDUCTION (DRR) IN MYANMAR
Hurricane Komen severely affected Myanmar in the summer of 2015, due to ongoing heavy rainfalls and landslides. Therefore, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment offered Myanmar a DRR-Team to support the reconstruction process in the country. In August 2015 a DRR-team, including Theo Reuzenaar from the Dutch Water Authorities, left for Myanmar to offer their support and expertise. They focused on flood control and dike management in the Ayeyarwady delta region and on management of and early warning for flash floods in Kale Township Area. Hereby helping them to reduce the effects of possible future natural disasters.
Project missions and involvement Dutch water professionals in countries with who we have a structural collaboration
Countries structural collaboration (focus countries)
Outgoing project
missions
Incoming project
missions
Dutch water professionals
that are involved in
project missions
Bangladesh 5 1 10
Colombia 4 2 4
Egypt 3 1 10
Ethiopia 22 3 29
Indonesia 7 4 10
Mozambique 15 2 18
Nicaragua 6 0 22
Romania 3 3 20
Vietnam 1 0 6
South Africa 20 4 51
Total 86 20 180
FOCUS COUNTRY2 24.2%
NON FOCUS COUNTRY 58.6%
N/A 17.2%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Requests concern the following countries
AFRICA 8.2%
ASIA 17.7%
EUROPE 45.9%
LATIN AMERICA 18.8%
MIDDLE EAST 4.7%
NORTH AMERICA 3.5%
OCEANIA 1.2%
0 10 20 30 40 50
Requests concern the following continents
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) ETHIOPIA
On March 10, 2015, the Dutch Water Authorities signed a MoU with the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Irrigation & Energy, the Awash Basin Authority and the Water Integrity Network. The goal of this MoU is to collaborate to enhance the integrity within the Ethiopian water sector. The main focus is on strengthening the TAPE (Transparency, Accountability, Participation and Equity) principles within the basin authority of the Awash Basin. This is the second MoU between Dutch Water Authorities and Ethiopian Partners.
INFORM 10.3%
PRESENTATION/EXCURSION 60.9%
REQUEST COLLABORATION 15%
REQUEST SENDING WATER
PROFESSIONAL 8.1%
N/A 5.7%
Nature of request
OECD WATER GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
Peter Glas, Chairman of the Association of Dutch Regional Water Authorities and Chairman of the OESO Water Governance Initiative, called for the OECD to embrace the principles for good water governance. These principles are described in the so-called Daegu-report and are drafted by the OECD Water Governance Initiative. In April 2015 the report was signed by the Secretary General of the OECD, Angel Gurría, on the World Water Forum in South Korea. Hereby, supporting the development of good water governance worldwide.
2 Focus countries are countries with who we have a structural collaboration. These countries are: Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Romania, Vietnam and South Africa.
“BECOMING A WATER PROFESSIONAL!”
In 2015 the motto of Dutch Water Authorities has been “becoming a water professional!”. We strived to achieve this by chasing after several goals:
• Professionalising Dutch Water Authorities• Strengthening the relationship between Dutch Water Authorities
(organisation structure) and the regional water authorities• Strengthening the relationship between working abroad and HR • Fine-tuning products to the needs and expertise of professionals
at all regional water authorities
1 OECD, Yves Leterme, 2014, Water Governance in the Netherlands: fit for the future?
YOUNG EXPERT PROGRAMME (YEP)
YEP is a programme initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Netherlands Water Partnership to offer young professionals international experience. The objective behind this programme is to assure a continuous availability of international professionalism and expertise in the water sector and maintain our reputation for water management (www.yepprogrammes.nl). The young professionals receive training and coaching in addition to their regular work. At the moment Dutch Water Authorities has hired three local young experts and two Dutch young experts. Kevin Oosterloo is working in Ethiopia for the Awash Basin Authority on water regulation issues such as setting up permitting systems, levy mechanisms, and other policy instruments for management of the Awash basin. Ruud Leibrand is responsible for jointly developing ideas and proposals for innovative (technical) solutions in the field of river erosion protection, climate change mitigation, combatting drainage congestion and design of water management structures for the coastal polders in southwest Bangladesh.
WATER GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS
The Netherlands, a country that lies mainly below sea-level. Therefore, well known for its knowledge of and expertise in good water governance. The OECD emphasized this by rating water governance and its future reliability in the Netherlands with an 8.5.1 The regional water authorities want to share this knowledge and expertise with foreign partners and in the meantime learn from their knowledge and expertise. International projects are an impulse for innovation and support the development of the regional water authorities and their employees.
Since 2014, the regional water authorities operate and collaborate with each other to combine all international affairs. They operate in an alliance called Dutch Water Authorities. Over the last year, Dutch Water Authorities has become a strong brand name and alliance. This ensured our position in several international ambitions and projects, where we share our specific knowledge and expertise of good water governance and the building blocks that are fundamental to its success. The number of request for our expertise has risen and there are several highlights that we want to share with you. Both these numbers and these highlights can be found in this annual report. In the meantime, we also combine our strengths in the Netherlands and increase awareness among the Dutch population, as dry feet and clean water are not a given certainty.
The International Water Ambition (IWA) of the Dutch government is one of the ambitions in which Dutch Water Authorities participates. The IWA aspires to contribute to reducing flood risk and improving water quality in eight urban deltas up to 2019. The long term goals established in the IWA require good water governance. Dutch Water Authorities will contribute by collaborating with other government agencies in the Netherlands and by exchanging their specific knowledge and expertise of good water governance
through several projects on international cooperation and export promotion. In addition, Dutch Water Authorities participates in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water is an important subject in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), as good water management is a condition for overall development. The Netherlands plays an important role in sending this message to and in improving water management in developing countries. Dutch Water Authorities want to contribute to this good cause. Therefore, we share our knowledge and expertise on water management, water quality, financing and water governance worldwide.
Moreover, my personal motivation to become the new board member for International Affairs is my passion for encouraging personal development. Working abroad is an experience that provides practical knowledge that no text book can teach you. It enriches your professional life and is therefore a remarkable HR tool. Last year, efforts were made to enhance the relationship between HR and working abroad. My goal is to further develop these efforts and in the process stimulate the involvement of the regional water authorities in our international activities. I will do this in line with the objectives stated in the Vision 2019 for Dutch Water Authorities. This vision was developed in 2015 and states all our objectives concerning, among others, our internal growth ambitions and a professional cooperation with national and international partners.
The Hague, The Netherlands, December 2015
H.Th.M. Pieper, MSc
The successes of the previous years are accomplished thanks to the endless efforts of my predecessor and well-valued colleague Gerard Doornbos and all colleagues of Dutch Water Authorities. They are scattered all over the Netherlands, still their passion and collaboration with each other and external partners is the success of this alliance.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS
Dutch Water Authorities wants to combine the knowledge of the regional water authorities with commercial businesses to strengthen their commercial business position in the international market. The first good practice of Dutch Water Authorities is the contract with Royal Haskoning DHV for the Nereda technology. Royal Haskoning DHV hires and trains employees of the regional water authorities to assist during the start-up period of NEREDA installations abroad.
Conducting dialogues was an important instrument to achieve these goals. These dialogues were mainly between employees of Dutch Water Authorities, and coordinators of international affairs and HR professionals of the regional water authorities. It was important for Dutch Water Authorities to get more knowledge of their needs and make use of the expertise already available. These dialogues were a rich source of information, resulting in several Dutch Water Authorities products in line with the goals set beforehand. Therefore, these dialogues will continue on a permanent base in the following years.
DUTCH COMPANY 7%
DUTCH GOVERNMENT 39%
DUTCH KNOWLEDGE-BASED INSTITUTION 7%
DUTCH NGO 5.9%
DUTCH RISK REDUCTION (DRR) 1.2%
FOREIGN COMPANY 3.5%
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT 5.9%
FOREIGN KNOWLEDGE-BASED
INSTITUTION 20%
FOREIGN NGO 5.9%
OTHER 4.7%
Kind of organisations that approach Dutch Water Authorities
CLEAN WATER FOR LA LIBERTAD AND FUTURAGUA MATAGALPA
Over the last seven years the Dutch Water Authorities and the municipality of Doetinchem have collaborated with local partners to improve water management in La Libertad, Nicaragua. In the project ‘Clean water for La Libertad’, Dutch specialists shared knowledge with their foreign colleagues about integral basin management, organising water facilities and small scale wastewater treatment. After seven years the project has now successfully ended. Simultaneously, the Futuragua project in Matagalpa ended after a period of four years. In this project the Dutch Water Authorities combined forces with the municipality of Tilburg and Brabant Water to train and coach Matagalpa water institutions. The main focus has been on improving the urban storm water drainage system, reducing the peak flows in the surrounding river catchments and optimizing drinking water supply and wastewater treatment. Both projects were co-financed by the NWB Fund.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDE FOR WORKING ABROAD
Working abroad has a positive effect on the personal development of employees. Research among the regional water authorities concludes that it enhances skills in the field of communication, flexibility, innovation, situational awareness and that employees become more stress resistant. However, research also shows that these competencies could be enhanced even more. It can be enhanced by a good preparation of the project and foreign culture beforehand, by giving feedback during the project and reflecting on the results upon return. The personal development guide for working
abroad includes overall information, workshops on, amongst others, project management, integrity and communication in different cultures and tips and tricks to acquire the best personal and project results in a foreign project. Moreover, stories of colleagues are told to emphasise the added value of working abroad.
FOREIGN TRADE MISSIONS
Dutch Water Authorities took part in trade mission delegations to India and South Africa, led by the Dutch Prime Minister, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Netherlands Water Partnership. In addition, Dutch Water Authorities accompanied a trade mission to Colombia, directed by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment. Important contributions were made respectively by Dutch Water Authorities chairmen Gerard Doornbos, Michiel van Haersma Buma and Hein Pieper on several water themes during these trade missions. In India (June 2015) the main focus was on the role of water in urban infrastructure and on water and coastal management. The focus in the mission to South Africa (November 2015, #cocreateSA) was on water governance, planning, local government and sanitation. As a result of the successful cooperation between the Netherlands and South Africa, Prime Minister Rutte and President Zuma decided to continue the Kingfisher partnership towards 2020. In Colombia (September 2015) the focus was on integrated sustainable and effective water governance, which resulted in a Water Governance Partnership to collaborate the forthcoming four years. The trade missions were organised to enhance trade between Dutch and foreign businesses.
WEBSITE
More information on our foreign projects and (innovative) projects in the Netherlands can be found on our website www.dutchwaterauhotities.com. The website also entails contact details and more information on the regional water authorities and their history.
INNOVATIVE FINANCING FACILITIES
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Dutch water authorities and NWB bank to assist in installing innovative financing facilities in ten developing countries. The objective is to receive the necessary financing for water infrastructure projects by attracting local privately owned money by investing development aid money. In this manner the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s ). Participating in the realisation of the SDG’s is part of the vision of Dutch Water Authorities. Therefore, Dutch Water Authorities supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by giving amongst others presentations on the financing model of the regional water authorities to inspire other organisations. Contributions were made by Gerard Doornbos at the financing conference of the SDG’s in Addis Ababa in July 2015, where he gave a presentation on the financing of water in the Netherlands. Moreover, we want to make future contributions by assisting water organisations in improving their revenue streams.
REQUESTS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Dutch Water Authorities collects the requests of national and international partners concerning international collaboration. There are 87 registered requests from January until December 2015. The different diagrams in this annual report show, amongst others, the differences in nature and origin of these requests.
KINGFISHER PARTNERSHIP; WELCOMING SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION
As part of the Kingfisher project Dutch Water Authorities hosted a high-level delegation of South African water managers in the Netherlands. The delegation consisted of CEOs of Catchment Management Agencies, chaired by the Deputy Director General of the department of Water and Sanitation. Dutch Water Authorities and VNG International offered the delegation a flavour of Dutch water expertise and high-level meetings. This activity was part of the Kingfisher strategic partnership agreement between the South African Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Dutch Water Authorities and VNG International, on establishing Catchments Management Agencies in South Africa. These can, to a large extent, be compared to the Dutch regional water authorities. Ever since 2004, the Netherlands and South Africa share expertise on the decentralisation of water governance and its political and strategic aspects.
DUTCH RISK REDUCTION (DRR) IN MYANMAR
Hurricane Komen severely affected Myanmar in the summer of 2015, due to ongoing heavy rainfalls and landslides. Therefore, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment offered Myanmar a DRR-Team to support the reconstruction process in the country. In August 2015 a DRR-team, including Theo Reuzenaar from the Dutch Water Authorities, left for Myanmar to offer their support and expertise. They focused on flood control and dike management in the Ayeyarwady delta region and on management of and early warning for flash floods in Kale Township Area. Hereby helping them to reduce the effects of possible future natural disasters.
Project missions and involvement Dutch water professionals in countries with who we have a structural collaboration
Countries structural collaboration (focus countries)
Outgoing project
missions
Incoming project
missions
Dutch water professionals
that are involved in
project missions
Bangladesh 5 1 10
Colombia 4 2 4
Egypt 3 1 10
Ethiopia 22 3 29
Indonesia 7 4 10
Mozambique 15 2 18
Nicaragua 6 0 22
Romania 3 3 20
Vietnam 1 0 6
South Africa 20 4 51
Total 86 20 180
FOCUS COUNTRY2 24.2%
NON FOCUS COUNTRY 58.6%
N/A 17.2%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Requests concern the following countries
AFRICA 8.2%
ASIA 17.7%
EUROPE 45.9%
LATIN AMERICA 18.8%
MIDDLE EAST 4.7%
NORTH AMERICA 3.5%
OCEANIA 1.2%
0 10 20 30 40 50
Requests concern the following continents
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) ETHIOPIA
On March 10, 2015, the Dutch Water Authorities signed a MoU with the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Irrigation & Energy, the Awash Basin Authority and the Water Integrity Network. The goal of this MoU is to collaborate to enhance the integrity within the Ethiopian water sector. The main focus is on strengthening the TAPE (Transparency, Accountability, Participation and Equity) principles within the basin authority of the Awash Basin. This is the second MoU between Dutch Water Authorities and Ethiopian Partners.
INFORM 10.3%
PRESENTATION/EXCURSION 60.9%
REQUEST COLLABORATION 15%
REQUEST SENDING WATER
PROFESSIONAL 8.1%
N/A 5.7%
Nature of request
OECD WATER GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
Peter Glas, Chairman of the Association of Dutch Regional Water Authorities and Chairman of the OESO Water Governance Initiative, called for the OECD to embrace the principles for good water governance. These principles are described in the so-called Daegu-report and are drafted by the OECD Water Governance Initiative. In April 2015 the report was signed by the Secretary General of the OECD, Angel Gurría, on the World Water Forum in South Korea. Hereby, supporting the development of good water governance worldwide.
2 Focus countries are countries with who we have a structural collaboration. These countries are: Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Romania, Vietnam and South Africa.
“BECOMING A WATER PROFESSIONAL!”
In 2015 the motto of Dutch Water Authorities has been “becoming a water professional!”. We strived to achieve this by chasing after several goals:
• Professionalising Dutch Water Authorities• Strengthening the relationship between Dutch Water Authorities
(organisation structure) and the regional water authorities• Strengthening the relationship between working abroad and HR • Fine-tuning products to the needs and expertise of professionals
at all regional water authorities
1 OECD, Yves Leterme, 2014, Water Governance in the Netherlands: fit for the future?
YOUNG EXPERT PROGRAMME (YEP)
YEP is a programme initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Netherlands Water Partnership to offer young professionals international experience. The objective behind this programme is to assure a continuous availability of international professionalism and expertise in the water sector and maintain our reputation for water management (www.yepprogrammes.nl). The young professionals receive training and coaching in addition to their regular work. At the moment Dutch Water Authorities has hired three local young experts and two Dutch young experts. Kevin Oosterloo is working in Ethiopia for the Awash Basin Authority on water regulation issues such as setting up permitting systems, levy mechanisms, and other policy instruments for management of the Awash basin. Ruud Leibrand is responsible for jointly developing ideas and proposals for innovative (technical) solutions in the field of river erosion protection, climate change mitigation, combatting drainage congestion and design of water management structures for the coastal polders in southwest Bangladesh.
WATER GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS
The Netherlands, a country that lies mainly below sea-level. Therefore, well known for its knowledge of and expertise in good water governance. The OECD emphasized this by rating water governance and its future reliability in the Netherlands with an 8.5.1 The regional water authorities want to share this knowledge and expertise with foreign partners and in the meantime learn from their knowledge and expertise. International projects are an impulse for innovation and support the development of the regional water authorities and their employees.
Since 2014, the regional water authorities operate and collaborate with each other to combine all international affairs. They operate in an alliance called Dutch Water Authorities. Over the last year, Dutch Water Authorities has become a strong brand name and alliance. This ensured our position in several international ambitions and projects, where we share our specific knowledge and expertise of good water governance and the building blocks that are fundamental to its success. The number of request for our expertise has risen and there are several highlights that we want to share with you. Both these numbers and these highlights can be found in this annual report. In the meantime, we also combine our strengths in the Netherlands and increase awareness among the Dutch population, as dry feet and clean water are not a given certainty.
The International Water Ambition (IWA) of the Dutch government is one of the ambitions in which Dutch Water Authorities participates. The IWA aspires to contribute to reducing flood risk and improving water quality in eight urban deltas up to 2019. The long term goals established in the IWA require good water governance. Dutch Water Authorities will contribute by collaborating with other government agencies in the Netherlands and by exchanging their specific knowledge and expertise of good water governance
through several projects on international cooperation and export promotion. In addition, Dutch Water Authorities participates in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water is an important subject in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), as good water management is a condition for overall development. The Netherlands plays an important role in sending this message to and in improving water management in developing countries. Dutch Water Authorities want to contribute to this good cause. Therefore, we share our knowledge and expertise on water management, water quality, financing and water governance worldwide.
Moreover, my personal motivation to become the new board member for International Affairs is my passion for encouraging personal development. Working abroad is an experience that provides practical knowledge that no text book can teach you. It enriches your professional life and is therefore a remarkable HR tool. Last year, efforts were made to enhance the relationship between HR and working abroad. My goal is to further develop these efforts and in the process stimulate the involvement of the regional water authorities in our international activities. I will do this in line with the objectives stated in the Vision 2019 for Dutch Water Authorities. This vision was developed in 2015 and states all our objectives concerning, among others, our internal growth ambitions and a professional cooperation with national and international partners.
The Hague, The Netherlands, December 2015
H.Th.M. Pieper, MSc
The successes of the previous years are accomplished thanks to the endless efforts of my predecessor and well-valued colleague Gerard Doornbos and all colleagues of Dutch Water Authorities. They are scattered all over the Netherlands, still their passion and collaboration with each other and external partners is the success of this alliance.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS
Dutch Water Authorities wants to combine the knowledge of the regional water authorities with commercial businesses to strengthen their commercial business position in the international market. The first good practice of Dutch Water Authorities is the contract with Royal Haskoning DHV for the Nereda technology. Royal Haskoning DHV hires and trains employees of the regional water authorities to assist during the start-up period of NEREDA installations abroad.
Conducting dialogues was an important instrument to achieve these goals. These dialogues were mainly between employees of Dutch Water Authorities, and coordinators of international affairs and HR professionals of the regional water authorities. It was important for Dutch Water Authorities to get more knowledge of their needs and make use of the expertise already available. These dialogues were a rich source of information, resulting in several Dutch Water Authorities products in line with the goals set beforehand. Therefore, these dialogues will continue on a permanent base in the following years.
DUTCH COMPANY 7%
DUTCH GOVERNMENT 39%
DUTCH KNOWLEDGE-BASED INSTITUTION 7%
DUTCH NGO 5.9%
DUTCH RISK REDUCTION (DRR) 1.2%
FOREIGN COMPANY 3.5%
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT 5.9%
FOREIGN KNOWLEDGE-BASED
INSTITUTION 20%
FOREIGN NGO 5.9%
OTHER 4.7%
Kind of organisations that approach Dutch Water Authorities
CLEAN WATER FOR LA LIBERTAD AND FUTURAGUA MATAGALPA
Over the last seven years the Dutch Water Authorities and the municipality of Doetinchem have collaborated with local partners to improve water management in La Libertad, Nicaragua. In the project ‘Clean water for La Libertad’, Dutch specialists shared knowledge with their foreign colleagues about integral basin management, organising water facilities and small scale wastewater treatment. After seven years the project has now successfully ended. Simultaneously, the Futuragua project in Matagalpa ended after a period of four years. In this project the Dutch Water Authorities combined forces with the municipality of Tilburg and Brabant Water to train and coach Matagalpa water institutions. The main focus has been on improving the urban storm water drainage system, reducing the peak flows in the surrounding river catchments and optimizing drinking water supply and wastewater treatment. Both projects were co-financed by the NWB Fund.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDE FOR WORKING ABROAD
Working abroad has a positive effect on the personal development of employees. Research among the regional water authorities concludes that it enhances skills in the field of communication, flexibility, innovation, situational awareness and that employees become more stress resistant. However, research also shows that these competencies could be enhanced even more. It can be enhanced by a good preparation of the project and foreign culture beforehand, by giving feedback during the project and reflecting on the results upon return. The personal development guide for working
abroad includes overall information, workshops on, amongst others, project management, integrity and communication in different cultures and tips and tricks to acquire the best personal and project results in a foreign project. Moreover, stories of colleagues are told to emphasise the added value of working abroad.
FOREIGN TRADE MISSIONS
Dutch Water Authorities took part in trade mission delegations to India and South Africa, led by the Dutch Prime Minister, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Netherlands Water Partnership. In addition, Dutch Water Authorities accompanied a trade mission to Colombia, directed by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment. Important contributions were made respectively by Dutch Water Authorities chairmen Gerard Doornbos, Michiel van Haersma Buma and Hein Pieper on several water themes during these trade missions. In India (June 2015) the main focus was on the role of water in urban infrastructure and on water and coastal management. The focus in the mission to South Africa (November 2015, #cocreateSA) was on water governance, planning, local government and sanitation. As a result of the successful cooperation between the Netherlands and South Africa, Prime Minister Rutte and President Zuma decided to continue the Kingfisher partnership towards 2020. In Colombia (September 2015) the focus was on integrated sustainable and effective water governance, which resulted in a Water Governance Partnership to collaborate the forthcoming four years. The trade missions were organised to enhance trade between Dutch and foreign businesses.
WEBSITE
More information on our foreign projects and (innovative) projects in the Netherlands can be found on our website www.dutchwaterauhotities.com. The website also entails contact details and more information on the regional water authorities and their history.
INNOVATIVE FINANCING FACILITIES
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Dutch water authorities and NWB bank to assist in installing innovative financing facilities in ten developing countries. The objective is to receive the necessary financing for water infrastructure projects by attracting local privately owned money by investing development aid money. In this manner the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s ). Participating in the realisation of the SDG’s is part of the vision of Dutch Water Authorities. Therefore, Dutch Water Authorities supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by giving amongst others presentations on the financing model of the regional water authorities to inspire other organisations. Contributions were made by Gerard Doornbos at the financing conference of the SDG’s in Addis Ababa in July 2015, where he gave a presentation on the financing of water in the Netherlands. Moreover, we want to make future contributions by assisting water organisations in improving their revenue streams.
REQUESTS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Dutch Water Authorities collects the requests of national and international partners concerning international collaboration. There are 87 registered requests from January until December 2015. The different diagrams in this annual report show, amongst others, the differences in nature and origin of these requests.
KINGFISHER PARTNERSHIP; WELCOMING SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION
As part of the Kingfisher project Dutch Water Authorities hosted a high-level delegation of South African water managers in the Netherlands. The delegation consisted of CEOs of Catchment Management Agencies, chaired by the Deputy Director General of the department of Water and Sanitation. Dutch Water Authorities and VNG International offered the delegation a flavour of Dutch water expertise and high-level meetings. This activity was part of the Kingfisher strategic partnership agreement between the South African Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Dutch Water Authorities and VNG International, on establishing Catchments Management Agencies in South Africa. These can, to a large extent, be compared to the Dutch regional water authorities. Ever since 2004, the Netherlands and South Africa share expertise on the decentralisation of water governance and its political and strategic aspects.
DUTCH RISK REDUCTION (DRR) IN MYANMAR
Hurricane Komen severely affected Myanmar in the summer of 2015, due to ongoing heavy rainfalls and landslides. Therefore, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment offered Myanmar a DRR-Team to support the reconstruction process in the country. In August 2015 a DRR-team, including Theo Reuzenaar from the Dutch Water Authorities, left for Myanmar to offer their support and expertise. They focused on flood control and dike management in the Ayeyarwady delta region and on management of and early warning for flash floods in Kale Township Area. Hereby helping them to reduce the effects of possible future natural disasters.
Project missions and involvement Dutch water professionals in countries with who we have a structural collaboration
Countries structural collaboration (focus countries)
Outgoing project
missions
Incoming project
missions
Dutch water professionals
that are involved in
project missions
Bangladesh 5 1 10
Colombia 4 2 4
Egypt 3 1 10
Ethiopia 22 3 29
Indonesia 7 4 10
Mozambique 15 2 18
Nicaragua 6 0 22
Romania 3 3 20
Vietnam 1 0 6
South Africa 20 4 51
Total 86 20 180
FOCUS COUNTRY2 24.2%
NON FOCUS COUNTRY 58.6%
N/A 17.2%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Requests concern the following countries
AFRICA 8.2%
ASIA 17.7%
EUROPE 45.9%
LATIN AMERICA 18.8%
MIDDLE EAST 4.7%
NORTH AMERICA 3.5%
OCEANIA 1.2%
0 10 20 30 40 50
Requests concern the following continents
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) ETHIOPIA
On March 10, 2015, the Dutch Water Authorities signed a MoU with the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Irrigation & Energy, the Awash Basin Authority and the Water Integrity Network. The goal of this MoU is to collaborate to enhance the integrity within the Ethiopian water sector. The main focus is on strengthening the TAPE (Transparency, Accountability, Participation and Equity) principles within the basin authority of the Awash Basin. This is the second MoU between Dutch Water Authorities and Ethiopian Partners.
INFORM 10.3%
PRESENTATION/EXCURSION 60.9%
REQUEST COLLABORATION 15%
REQUEST SENDING WATER
PROFESSIONAL 8.1%
N/A 5.7%
Nature of request
OECD WATER GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
Peter Glas, Chairman of the Association of Dutch Regional Water Authorities and Chairman of the OESO Water Governance Initiative, called for the OECD to embrace the principles for good water governance. These principles are described in the so-called Daegu-report and are drafted by the OECD Water Governance Initiative. In April 2015 the report was signed by the Secretary General of the OECD, Angel Gurría, on the World Water Forum in South Korea. Hereby, supporting the development of good water governance worldwide.
2 Focus countries are countries with who we have a structural collaboration. These countries are: Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Romania, Vietnam and South Africa.
“BECOMING A WATER PROFESSIONAL!”
In 2015 the motto of Dutch Water Authorities has been “becoming a water professional!”. We strived to achieve this by chasing after several goals:
• Professionalising Dutch Water Authorities• Strengthening the relationship between Dutch Water Authorities
(organisation structure) and the regional water authorities• Strengthening the relationship between working abroad and HR • Fine-tuning products to the needs and expertise of professionals
at all regional water authorities
1 OECD, Yves Leterme, 2014, Water Governance in the Netherlands: fit for the future?
YOUNG EXPERT PROGRAMME (YEP)
YEP is a programme initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Netherlands Water Partnership to offer young professionals international experience. The objective behind this programme is to assure a continuous availability of international professionalism and expertise in the water sector and maintain our reputation for water management (www.yepprogrammes.nl). The young professionals receive training and coaching in addition to their regular work. At the moment Dutch Water Authorities has hired three local young experts and two Dutch young experts. Kevin Oosterloo is working in Ethiopia for the Awash Basin Authority on water regulation issues such as setting up permitting systems, levy mechanisms, and other policy instruments for management of the Awash basin. Ruud Leibrand is responsible for jointly developing ideas and proposals for innovative (technical) solutions in the field of river erosion protection, climate change mitigation, combatting drainage congestion and design of water management structures for the coastal polders in southwest Bangladesh.
VISITING ADDRESSKoningskade 402596 AA The Hague+31 70 351 97 51The Netherlands
POSTAL ADDRESSPO Box 932182509 AE The HagueThe Netherlands
ANNUAL REPORT DUTCH WATER AUTHORITIES 2015
VISITING ADDRESSKoningskade 402596 AA The Hague+31 70 351 97 51The Netherlands
POSTAL ADDRESSPO Box 932182509 AE The HagueThe Netherlands
ANNUAL REPORT DUTCH WATER AUTHORITIES 2015