Regional Forum in Tashkent

CAREC WASH intelligent database is defined by this project as a database that maintains information about organizations and individuals who are technical experts, scholars, researchers, and implementers specialized in WASH and climate change. The intelligent database will include these features:

1. Comprehensive Directory

1) Detailed profiles of organizations and individuals, categorized by their areas of expertise, roles, and geographic locations.

2) Profiles will include contact information, affiliation(s), languages spoken, project experience, publications, and areas of specialization in WASH and climate change.

2. Search and Filter Functionality

Advanced search and filter options will allow users to quickly locate experts and organizations based on specific criteria such as expertise, organizational affiliation, location, project experience, and language skills.

3. Networking and Collaboration Tools

1) The Intelligent Database will facilitate networking and collaboration by providing options for users to connect directly with listed experts and organizations through in-platform messaging, or externally using contact details.

2) Future features could include the ability for users to form groups or forums around specific projects or topics, fostering collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange.

A page or a data portal embedded in the Centre will display granular and up-to-date data on climate-resilient WASH performance indicators in the Region. This page will provide links to those existing databases shown, and where appropriate, draw on them for data and data visualizations. The data feature of this page will initially be limited to downloadable, analyzable datasets that are appropriately characterized for their topics, sources, and geographies. Future features may enable interactive data manipulation and visualization. These may include:

1. Geospatial Visualization: Incorporate interactive maps to visualize WASH indicators geographically with population, climate and other data overlays.

2. Trend Analysis: Provide tools for analyzing trends over time, allowing users to identify patterns, correlations, and anomalies in WASH indicators. This could include time series graphs, trend lines, and statistical analysis tools.

3. Comparative Analysis: Enable users to compare WASH performance across different regions, countries, or demographic groups. Comparative visualizations such as side-by-side bar charts or radar charts can help identify disparities and best practices.

4. Data Download and Sharing: Enable users to download raw data, export visualizations, and share insights with colleagues and partners. This promotes transparency, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making within the WASH sector.

5. Climate Resilience Metrics: Integrate climate-related data and indicators into the visualization platform to assess the resilience of WASH infrastructure and services to climate change impacts. This might include indicators such as water scarcity, flood risk, and vulnerability to extreme weather events.

The Centre will document and showcase WASH-related technologies and application cases, especially those that are innovative, climate resilient and inclusive to ensure the principle of “Leave No One Behind”. This also includes innovative and validated WASH technologies and products to be used in emergency contexts to reach the most hard-to-reach populations and save lives. A routinely updated inventory will be displayed of WASH emergency supplies recommended for different situations by WASH specialists in the region. This proposed page will include those features:

1. An extensive, searchable library of documents describing emerging WASH technologies, especially those that are climate resilient and innovative. Selected products will be presented together with detailed descriptions, technical specifications, and use cases, with a highlight on the successful implementation of these technologies, providing real-world examples of their effectiveness and scalability.

2. The Platform will feature a detailed inventory of WASH emergency supplies, including water purification systems, sanitation kits, hygiene products, and related equipment. Items will be selected and validated by WASH specialists to ensure they meet the specific needs and conditions of the CAREC region. Emergency supplies will be categorized based on different emergency scenarios, such as floods, droughts, and other climate-related events, to streamline the selection process.

3. Where available, products and solutions’ costs will be available, along with their producers and contact information. Registered users could search and compare products. With this information, NGOs, local governments, and individuals requiring products and services would use contact information to reach suppliers and solution providers.

The WASH Centre will constitute a platform that pulls together bidding, funding and project collaboration opportunities in the Region to address these challenges. The platform will also serve as a one-stop-shop where registered members from governments, international organizations, NGOs and private sector entities can post and respond to tenders and project opportunities in WASH, environment and climate. This will include the following specific features:

1. Centralized Funding Database:

1) Curate and maintain an up-to-date database of funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and investment programs from governments, international organizations, and private sector entities.

2) Enable users to search for funding opportunities based on criteria such as project type, geography, funding amount, and eligibility requirements.

2. Project Collaboration Triage:

1) Curate and maintain an up-to-date database of project collaboration opportunities, including project tenders, Terms of References, and consultancy opportunities from governments, international organizations, and private sector entities.

2) The platform will help facilitate partnerships and joint ventures for stakeholders to post and respond to collaboration opportunities.

3) Regional cooperation will be promoted on issues such as transboundary WASH issues.

3. Centralized Bidding Platform:

1) Governments, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector entities can post tenders for WASH projects, making them accessible to a wide range of stakeholders in the CAREC region.

2) A database of registered bidders, including their profiles, qualifications, and past project experiences will be maintained.

4. Matchmaking for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):

The platform will also offer matchmaking services to connect public sector needs with private sector solutions, fostering collaborations that leverage the strengths of each partner.

The Centre can serve as a regional hub for providing specialized training programs and certifications that are tailored for the region and recognized across the CAREC countries. The hub will include these features:

1. Targeted Training Programs:

1) Solicit and showcase comprehensive training curricula covering key areas and allow participants to select courses based on their specific needs and professional development goals.

2) Engage WASH experts and practitioners to develop targeted training programs such as climate resilient WASH, WASH emergency response, WASH financing, innovative WASH technologies, etc., to ensure high-quality instruction and practical insights.

3) The Centre will help organize workshops, seminars, and hands-on training sessions in CAREC countries.

4) Combine in-person and online training methods to provide a flexible and comprehensive learning experience.

2. Regionally Recognized Certifications:

1) implement a framework for continuing professional development, encouraging ongoing learning and skill enhancement.

2) Develop a certification system recognized by CAREC countries, ensuring that WASH professionals are qualified to meet regional and international standards.

This proposed function for the Centre can serve as a venue for policy dialogues, bringing together government officials, experts, and stakeholders from across the region to discuss and develop integrated and evidence-based WASH policies. It will include those features:

1. Facilitating Policy Dialogues

1) Embed an interactive online forum in the Centre where policymakers, experts, practitioners, and stakeholders can engage in structured dialogues, discussions, share insights, exchange ideas, and propose solutions related to this sector.

2) Organize regular policy dialogue forums bringing together government officials, experts, and stakeholders from across the CAREC region.

2. Supporting Policy Making

1) Organize Policy Accelerator exercise to support multi-country cohorts, creating a peer-exchange environment where participants work alongside each other to tackle related local WASH challenges.

2) Upon request, the Centre will compile and disseminate best practices and successful case studies from within the region and globally.

3) Upon request, the Centre will conduct research on regional WASH issues, including legal analysis, data collection and analysis, and comparative benefits analyses to inform policy decisions. Policy briefs, reports, and guidelines will be produced to support evidence-based policymaking.

4) Upon request, the Centre will help to provide technical assistance to CAREC countries in developing and advocating for integrated WASH policies.