Implementation of Program Activities is a component of every Water Fund that relates to how the team responsible for core tasks are operationalizing the required work. Implementation includes all actions related to identifying capacity needs, long-term strategic planning, hiring, management, pilot projects, and the eventual implementation of interventions at scale.
Why is this necessary?
To develop and execute projects related to interventions, such as natural infrastructure and other projects or parts of projects that help improve water security comprise these actions. Efforts here deliver tangible work products, such as reports, restored land, trees planted, and so on.
Key Ideas
A series of implementation-related actions should be taken across the Water Funds Project Cycle. These actions relate primarily to long-term strategic planning, pilot projects, and hiring. Explore the steps and key resources below to learn more.
Implementation of program activities within the 5 phases of the Water Fund Project Cycle:
Phase 1: Feasibility
The Feasibility Phase includes two 'checks' to test if a Water Fund is the right water security tool. First, a test of 'eligibility' is completed by quickly determining if there are water security challenges and a potential for a Water Fund to help. If yes, feasibility is then explored further by developing a deeper understanding of the situation and generally how a Water Fund could positively contribute to water security within the defined area.
The Decision Support Document informs decision-makers on deciding if the Water Fund should proceed to the Design Phase. This document provides related recommendations and conditions for moving ahead.
Prior to initiating the design of the Water Fund, several key actions should be taken to assure that sufficient resources and capacity exist to sustain the momentum behind the Water Fund and the completion of its design. This level of assurance can be achieved by securing formal commitments to advocate for and/or resource the design of the Water Fund, as well as the hiring of a Water Fund Director.
Phase 2: Design
The Design Phase is undertaken to develop the best solutions for the identified water security issues and to choose the appropriate water fund configuration which accounts for key technical issues, financial considerations, governance dimensions and strives for maximum impact.
A Water Fund Strategic Plan is created to establish a long term (5-year) plan that creates clarity, focus and a shared roadmap for implementing important strategic choices made by the leadership of a Water Fund.
The purpose of formulating interventions is to conceptualize the portfolio of interventions, associated targets, and resource requirements for the Water Fund.
The purpose of supporting interventions is to: 1) establish engagement plans per stakeholder category and high-level protocols for communications, 2) create a plan to secure resources (i.e., fundraising/financing), and 3) to develop a 5-year roadmap to track milestone progress toward the Water Fund goals.
Operational Plans are developed as guides for those responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a Water Fund. These plans further serve as important mechanisms for communicating responsibility for the implementing of interventions specified in the Water Fund Strategic Plan. In the most general sense, Annual Operating Plans are developed to assist current and future members of a Water Fund in ensuring that the short and medium-term operation of the Water Fund is effective and ultimately accountable to the objectives it sets out.
Systems, resources and staff are sufficiently in place to begin Water Fund operations.
Phase 4: Operation
The Operation Phase is undertaken to establish stability by developing and implementing a comprehensive work plan, which guides systematic execution of activities, measurement and evaluation, and communication of progress towards the goals of the water fund. These activities should be continuously improved through adaptive management, refinements, and innovation.
The Annual Operating Plan addresses key aspects related to operating the Water Fund, including technical matters, marketing and communication, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, administration of the Water Fund, quality assurance, adaptive management, innovation, and planning.
Phase 5: Maturity
The Maturity Phase is a determination that assures the long-term viability of the water fund to create significant and lasting impact that positively contributes to water security.