“A new beginning for Union Parishads” is how Betaga Union Chairman Mr. Swapan Das describes the opportunities afforded to his team and constituency by HYSAWA. A chairman recently re-elected to his third five year term said that never before had he been entrusted with the responsibility to manage, monitor and administer the people, projects and funds to the level that possible through the HYSAWA-Project.
HYSAWA first called for expressions of interest to participate in AusAID funded water, sanitation and hygiene interventions from Union Parishads in Khulna Division in 2010. Chairman Swapan submitted an expression of interest and proposal for 60 water points and eight sanitation schemes, and in May 2010 successfully signed a MoU with HYSAWA to begin activities.
Signing of MoU between HYSAWA Fund and Betaga Union, 23 May 2010. L-R: Jan Møller Hansen (Senior Adviser, Danida), UP Functionary, Chairman Mr. Swapan Das, Enamul Kabir (Managing Director HYSAWA Fund). Photograph: Betaga UP.
Chairman Mr. Swapan Das secured funds to implement hygiene, water and sanitation infrastructure and training for the people under his care. The initial water infrastructure alone directly benefits 610 families: 2175 people of which 92% fall within the category of hardcore poor. In 2011 HYSAWA also financed one piped water supply scheme in Betaga, bringing reliable and safe water to a further 1658 people. Through this partnership the Union Parishad has managed to provide a safe water supply service to 25% of the constituency. The Chairman is proud to say, “Now I am confident in and can demonstrate assistance to the hardcore poor.”
Chairman Das states, it is “the most [funds] I have ever had the opportunity to manage”. He describes that although other financing mechanisms have been available in the past, these have been small amounts that could be used with limited impact.
But it is not only about the money. The words accountability, transparency and participation feature in our conversation. “We have learnt about the Public Procurement Rules and followed these, managed contractors, continue to manage staff and always engage with HYSAWA on problems and successes”. The UP has recruited four staff to the Union Parishad team to support HYSAWA activities; three community organisers and one accountant. Every new initiative begins with consensus in a community meeting and the public disclosure display board behind us shows activities to date; community volunteers initiated, food hygiene training sessions completed number of tube wells approved, number installed, and number of community meetings held.
Equipped with this experience the Chairman imagines a new future for Union Parishads; one where local government institutions have the capacity to assume ownership over their own development and will be able to meet the needs and rights of the people who elect Union members to representative positions. He smiles, “if we can do this, we can do anything.”
Case study collected by Sally Chessell, Communications Officer, HYSAWA. November 2011