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Project Record

• Create research structures and processes that enable effective collaboration across all partner institutions and key stakeholders;
• Establish a set of action research activities leading to strengthened sector financing approaches; delivery of WaSH services maximising opportunities for pro-poor growth
• Build long-term approaches to training and capacity building that reinforce research capacity development in Ethiopia and the Nile region.

Background:

• RiPPLE is a five year research consortium programme, funded by DFID. RiPPLE works in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Benishangul-Gumuz and Oromia regions. The three regional teams are supported by the RiPPLE main office, hosted by WaterAid Ethiopia (WAE), in Addis Ababa.
• DFID has committed just under £4 million to the RIPPLE programme over a 5 year period from 2006 – 2011.
• RiPPLE has now moved from its first phase – focusing on case studies – to a second phase where Long-term Action Research Studies (LARS) are the main activity.
• After a series of consultations with RiPPLE Partners and LPA members at different levels, two broad and inclusive LARS have been identified: Access and Growth
• The RiPPLE project has initiated a LARS on Growth focusing on how investments in water and sanitation services can contribute to poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods and pro-poor growth, where barriers are and what linkages to other sectors need to be developed for this to happen.

Progress and Impact:

• Results of phase 1 research published and we have completed 10 case studies, 7 working papers, and other products including a fluoride map of Ethiopia, quarterly newsletters, and a synthesis paper (see www.rippleethiopia.org/).
• We have also been active in disseminating our outputs products internationally (Stockholm, Nairobi) and in-country, e.g. at the recent sanitation forum in Ethiopia and at the Ethiopian Economic Conference in June;
• Learning and Practices Alliances (LPA) meetings in all regions have been held. Outputs are two LARS concept notes, workplans & TORs for research inputs: we are now launching the LARS activities;
• A policy engagement strategy has been developed and concept note for further discussion across the sector in Ethiopia;
• The Forum for Learning on Water Supply and Sanitation (FLoWS) meeting series has been established. We are currently working with the Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) on ways of making the series more self-supporting and sustainable.

General Notes:

• The SNNPR Water Bureau
• Beni-Shangul-Gumuz Water Bureau
• Oromiya Water Bureau, Ethiopia
• The Research and Development Department of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Ethiopia
• The Graduate School of Journalism and Communication Training Centre, Addis Ababa University
• The Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP), Ethiopia and Africa Region
• The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Ethiopia
• The Ethiopia Country Water Partnership (ECWP)
• The British Geological Survey (BGS)
• The Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, UK
• MetaMeta Consulting, the Netherlands
• Practical Action/Intermediate Technology Consulting, Nairobi, East Africa