Use of Communication Tools to Share Information to promote governance and improve relashionships among stakeholders within the water sector

The goal of the communication component of this program is to foster communication and knowledge sharing by providing and ensuring effective flow of information, updates, success stories, challenges, key messages and action plans promptly within the implementation team and among all targeted stakeholder groups with the aim to increase the overall awareness levels about the social accountability and transparency program. At the same time to collect feedback and knowledge in order to continually improve the program activities.

During the process of the program, NETWAS is sharing information with all types of stakeholders in involved decision-making, implementing process or feedback mechanisms in a two-way communication process. When some one raises his voice, sh/e must feel that sh/e is being heard, and thus must get an answer or a response, even if it is negative. Focusing on increasing understanding and relations among stakeholders through the use of communication enables participants to move forward with implementation plans, because stakeholder’s dialogue is important to avoid blaming for the past mistakes and creating a shared future

This program is basically a program devoted to promoting dialogue and building partnerships among stakeholders which is what CRC/CSC is about. NETWAS will be implementing through the Community Score Cards process, a dialogue between users and providers of water services, in Wobulenzi. It will take place with the participation of local authorities to promote partnerships and good governance within the sector. In order to generate a productive dialogue, NETWAS will be doing the following actions:
* Engaging frequently and systematically with stakeholders to determine mutually beneficial actions.
* Remembering that communication must be two-way. Communication is not the same as information. The aim of the dialogue should be to achieve mutual understanding and rational agreement or consent about the goals of the programs and its achievements. Information is crucial, but it must go beyond by incorporation channels from sharing ideas and worries.
* Inviting stakeholders to become involved in our program also exploring their concerns about our initiative.
* If there are no channels with stakeholders, create them! NETWAS will be trying to reach silent stakeholders and form partnership with stakeholders early, as has been done since the beginning of the project by working with the local government of Luwero and Wobulenzi town council.