Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Fund Development Board, Kathmandu, Nepal

The objective of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Fund Development Board (the Board) is to promote sustainable and cost effective demand-led rural water supply and sanitation services in Nepal with full emphasis on community ownership and women empowerment. The Board provides technical, institutional and financial support to Support Organizations (NGOs) and communities to implement rural water supply and sanitation schemes and other related activities.

The Board, set up as a facilitating agency, maintains that the primary managers of specific schemes are the Water User Committee and Support Organizations. However, the Board adopts a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and supervision system to ensure technical quality and effective beneficiary participation. The Board also monitors implementation progress, impact of the investments made, and the quality of performance of the Support Organizations and Communities. Such monitoring puts emphasis on the responsibilities and interests of communities and Support Organizations in terms of field implementation and quality control.